Stuck in One Position With Poor Posture on Long Drives? These Car-Friendly Stretches Can Help Relieve Neck & Back Pain Fast
Sitting in a fixed position with poor posture can quickly lead to tension, stiffness, and discomfort, especially during long road trips.
Most car seats aren’t designed with your spine in mind. Their built-in upward tilt (often 5–15 degrees) pushes your lower back into a rounded, slouched position. Sit like that for too long, and it’s no surprise that back and neck pain often follow.
So how do you protect your spine on the road?
By keeping your body moving and avoiding prolonged static positions that allow muscle tension to build up.
Scroll down to learn chiropractor-approved stretches that release tension in your neck and back, right from your car seat.
Region #1: Neck and Upper Back
Neck and upper back pain are among the most common complaints during long drives, especially for drivers.
Reaching for the wheel and leaning forward adds extra stress to your upper spine and surrounding muscles.
The muscles that suffer most?
Your trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalenes, all of which get overworked when you’re stuck in the same posture for too long.
Watch the 1-minute video below to learn a simple stretch you can do from your seat to relieve upper back and neck tension.
Region #2: Low Back
Already dealing with chronic low back pain? Extended drives can easily aggravate it.
That tilted car seat pushes your low back into flexion, one of the most common postures linked to disc-related pain and stiffness.
You might not be able to adjust your seat geometry, but you can add movement. Chiropractic mobility exercises help reset your spine and hips, keeping your lower back more comfortable during long car rides.
And don’t forget your hips—tight hip flexors and glutes often contribute to road trip-related back discomfort. The muscles around your belt line tighten quickly when you’re stuck in one position.
Watch the video below for a full mobility routine designed to relieve low back pain on long car rides.
Still Struggling with Neck or Back Pain After a Road Trip?
If these simple car stretches brought some relief—awesome! But if the pain lingers or keeps coming back, it could be a sign of a deeper issue.
Don’t let pain limit your day. At Core Chiropractic in Waukee, we’re here to help you get back to feeling great with:
- A personalized chiropractic evaluation
- Hands-on treatment focused on the root cause
- A customized care plan to get you feeling better—fast
Click below or call us to schedule your appointment. Let’s get you back to living pain-free.
Call or Text: 515-518-0924
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Serving Waukee, West Des Moines, Clive, and surrounding areas
Dr. John Lindstrom
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