Hitting the road and driving through town and scenic routes can be a cathartic experience. It can be an exhilarating moment for your mind and soul. But, what if you’re experiencing Arthritis pain? How comfortable can driving with Arthritis be?
Truth be told, When you go through autoimmune diseases like Osteoarthritis that attack the joints & make your bones stiff, it’s difficult to perform even the simplest of tasks. For instance, when you’re driving with Arthritis, it can get difficult for you to simply turn the steering wheel because of constant pain in your wrists and hands. Simple tasks like applying pressure to the brake and gas pedals can hurt your feet and toes. Similarly, shoulder and neck stiffness can further affect your driving experience.
So, how do you get freedom from this uninvited pain and improve your driving experience? Follow these simple yet extremely effective arthritis and car travel tips.
It's All About the Posture
Every car allows adjustments as per the driver’s need. Before hitting the road, take your time and get the right sitting posture. It would be best to have a taller car as it will help ease the pressure from the back and spine while getting in and out. Adjust your mirrors in such a way that you get a wide field of vision without needing to move your neck around too much. Raise your seat so that you can see comfortably outside the windows and over the dashboard. You can use pillows to increase the height in case your car doesn’t have this feature. Invest in installing a backup camera that gives you a better field of vision when you’re reversing your car. Similarly, adjust your seat in such a way that whenever you’re pressing the brakes and shifting gears, your feet are under pressure instead of your toes. These might seem like small changes but correcting your arthritis and driving posture will give you tremendous relief when you’re on the road.
Break, Break, Break
“It's not the destination, it's the journey” has been quoted by Ralph Waldo Emerson. It is an apt representation of the fact that there’s no point in reaching a destination when you’ve not enjoyed the journey. Think about it, what’s the point of your travel if you reach your hotel with intense joint pains because you’ve worn yourself out during travel? Your better part of the trip will get wasted in just healing from the joint pain and stiffness you sustained. Instead, take breaks when you’re driving. Stop for 10 minutes every hour to stretch your muscles and relieve the strain from your joints. Driving with arthritis does not need to be a scarring experience. You can follow these stretching exercises whenever you take a break.
- Shoulder Shrugs: Raise your shoulders to your ears, hold it for 4-5 seconds, then shrug back down. Do this at least 10 times to calm your shoulder blades and neck.
- Cat/ Cow Pose: Put your arms & hold tight on your steering wheel. Now, arch your back and curve it as much as possible. Do this at least 10 times to relieve the tension building in your back and lower back.
- Calf Stretch: Get out of your car and place your hands on it. Now, lean forward and put your 1 foot ahead in front of the other. Shift your weight onto the front feet. Bend your back slightly while ensuring your lower back is straight and start stretching your lower calf. Hold for at least 20 seconds. Do this 3-4 times and switch sides.
This is one of the most crucial tips for driving with arthritis.
Sun Protection, All the Way
Driving on a bright, sunny day sounds fun but it can also be another source of arthritis pain. People driving with arthritis, especially individuals with autoimmune conditions, can get sudden pain flares triggered by UV exposure. It can increase your joint pain and stiffness. So, the only way to protect your joints is to stay protected against the sun. Use quality polarised sunglasses, apply sunscreen wherever possible, and wear long sleeves or pants throughout the trip. Stay protected at all times against UV rays.
Arthritis Gloves
Arthritis and comfortable car journeys should be a pleasant experience. Whenever driving, use gloves to ensure you only have to apply minimum strength to grip the steering wheel. You can also invest in steering wheel covers for the same. The end goal is to reduce the stress on your joints as much as possible.
Hydrate, Eat Well, & Take Care
Drinking water at regular intervals can help you fight fatigue. It is also great for your overall joint health. Consume fruits and vegetables that nourish your joints and body instead of going for carb-heavy meals and sugary sodas or energy drinks while on the road. Carry three60+ rapid pain relief gel or three60+ rapid pain relief roll on with you on the road to ensure you can get immediate relief from joint pain and stiffness in case of sudden arthritis flares.
These small steps, when taken in the right order, can offer significant arthritis and driving comfort solutions. Driving with arthritis can be a better and wholesome experience rather than a painful one when you take the necessary precautions for your joints. So, take the necessary steps and drive through your favourite places without breaking a sweat and worrying about arthritis pain.
