There are many jobs that come with their own occupational hazards – being a truck driver is certainly no exception. Being confined to a driver’s seat for long hours, having to eat and sleep away from home and even the lack of sleep can all take their toll on a driver’s health and wellbeing.

If you’re a truck driver who’s committed to taking care of your health while on the job, follow these 6 great tips to help you start.

1. Don’t Hold It In!

Bladder and kidney problems are common among truck drivers. The reason? Having to wait to access a bathroom while on the road means drivers are likely to hold their urine in. If this is done frequently and for long periods of time, it can begin to damage the kidneys. Visit the bathroom before the start of each journey and as often as you can along the way. If you sense you are holding your urine in, stop as soon as you can to use a bathroom.

2. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise!

When driving for long periods of time, your body will be lacking exercise. Research small exercises to carry out in your hotel room or rest areas – these could even help energize you in between driving. Equally important is making time to exercise when you are not at work. Swimming, walking, hiking and gentle weight training are all good choices to help keep you fit and your muscles in prime condition. They may even help alleviate problems such as back pain and cramps that truck drivers experience.

3. Say No To Fast Food

With the highways littered with fast food joints and adverts for comfort food, it’s easy to be tempted to neglect your diet while on the road. But the truth is maintaining a healthy diet is vital to ensuring your overall wellbeing. Take food that is prepared at home with you, like a healthy sandwich or salad. If you do give in to a fast-food joint treat, make sure it’s on a very rare basis.

4. Be Wise with Refreshments

Another big temptation for truck drivers is to snack while driving or load up on tea, coffee or high-sugar sodas to stay alert. If you’re prone to any of these habits, switch to refreshing yourself with more healthy options. Replace chips or chocolate bars with nuts, fruit, raisins or low-calorie, low-sugar cereal bars. And try to stay hydrated with a simple bottle of water by your side.

5. Rest When You Can

Truck drivers are known for their stamina when driving and can often go days with little sleep when driving at night. But lack of sleep will take its toll on your body and health and will lead to your increase of stress. Make sure you get plenty of sleep and rest when you have the option to – it can make all the difference to how you feel.

6. Protect Your Back

Being confined to your driver’s seat for endless hours will certainly have an impact on your spine. It is no surprise that truck drivers are prone to back pain and injuries as well as stiffness. Learn some good back strengthening exercises to carry out every day or during your rest stops. In addition, one of the best things you can do to protect your back is invest in a back support to fit onto your driver’s seat. This will ensure your back is held in a good posture while driving to eliminate any unnecessary strains or stresses being placed on your spine.

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Are you one of the millions of people who suffer from back pain and swallow an aspirin praying it just lets you get up and do what you have to do during the day without feeling like you’re going to start crying soon?

Are you so tired of taking pills that offer only a temporary solution that you just decided to live with the pain?

Are you so used to living in pain that you have just accepted it as a part of your life?

Read this carefully:  You do not have to endure pain of any kind.  Chronic pain is not a way of living; it can be alleviated and removed from your life for good!

If you have reached this stage, it is time for you to try acupuncture.

Although you may think that letting someone stick needles into you is kind of a contradiction when talking about getting rid of pain, it actually does offer relief and thousands, if not millions, of people have tried it successfully.

Acupuncture comes from an ancient Chinese tradition that believes that the energy, Qi, moves throughout the body along pathways called meridians.  When a person’s energy is blocked, it causes him or her pain and disease.  Thus, through acupuncture the doctor stimulates specific points in the meridians to restore the flow of energy.

Western medicine has tried, without luck, to locate this energy with the latest and most advanced equipment, however, extensive research shows acupuncture is truly very effective in alleviating chronic pain like osteoarthritis, lower back pain, menstrual cramps, and migraines.  It seems that the needles, when inserted in very specific points, stimulate the nerves and release the body’s endorphins and opioids, alleviating pain. This practice also dilates blood vessels, improving blood circulation.

So, even though traditional medicine hasn’t been able to understand how acupuncture works in the body, centuries of proof, in the form of trusting and alleviated people, have made western doctors give this natural medicine option the benefit of the doubt.  In the United States alone, the number of licensed acupuncturists goes over 6,500, and the FDA regulates acupuncture needles as medical instruments.  In addition, the treatment through this alternative method is being covered today by many health insurance policies when applied to certain states and illnesses.

Let’s be clear.  Acupuncture can’t repair a damaged spinal disk or joint that has been affected by arthritis, nevertheless, it can reduce the swelling and inflammation that causes nerve compression.

If you want to give acupuncture a try, consult with a physician first and ask for a referral.  It is indispensable that you find a serious doctor with reliable knowledge on this mysterious practice.  And always remember that the best remedy for pain is prevention, thus beware of posture and get a good back support system, reduce stress as much as possible, simplify your life, take time for yourself and your family, eat healthy foods, get a good night’s sleep every day, and prefer a healthy lifestyle in general.  In this way, you will never know the meaning of living in pain.

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Dealing with chronic back pain is not only debilitating but it is also frustrating.  You want to be able to do the things you love without constant pain and limitations.  Avoiding back injury and strain can help keep your back strong and flexible. Here are just a few things you can do to help maintain good back health.

1.    Proper lifting: Many back injuries are caused by improper lifting.  When lifting a heavy object, be sure to lift with your knees and hips, not your back. Spread your feet wide apart, and as you lift, keep your lower back arched inward by pulling your shoulders back and your chest forward. Keep the load close to your body and be sure to set it down again in the same manner.

2.    Carrying: How you carry heavy objects can be just as damaging to your back as lifting them can be.  The important thing to remember when carrying a heavy object is to keep your hips, shoulders and head aligned.  Keep the object as close as possible to your body with your elbows tucked into your sides.

3.    Sleeping: Believe it or not, how you sleep can also affect back health.  Sleeping on your stomach can pull the spine out of place and cause discomfort.  The best position for sleep is on your side with your knees bent.  If you prefer to sleep on your back, it is sometimes easier on your back to place a pillow under your knees or under the small of your back.  A good firm mattress is also better on the back than a soft one that offers less support.

4.    Standing: Many of us stand for long periods of time in a day and that can take a toll on back health.  If your job requires standing in one place for extended periods, try to have a small step stool nearby so you can occasionally place one foot up on it for brief periods. It’s also a good idea to shift your weight from one foot to the other throughout the day.

5.    Sitting: Improper sitting posture can be very harmful to your back.  Good back supports and proper chair are important for anyone who sits for long periods. Also, be sure to keep your feet flat on the floor and your weight evenly distributed on both hips.  Slouching is a sure way to develop back pain, so pull your chair in close and try to have your work at eye level.  Be sure to take short breaks where you stand and stretch your back often throughout the day.

If in spite of all these measures, you find yourself still struggling with back pain, it is a good idea to seek the help of a back pain specialist.

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The traditional treatment for treating back pain is correcting posture, combined with the use of lumbar back supports and a lot of rest.  However, experts are finding that traditional methods of treating back pain may not be as effective as previously thought.  It is true that altering posture can help your back pain in the long term, but correcting posture will give you no immediate relief for your back.  Even getting too much rest can actually exacerbate the condition, and make your back problems worse.  Back support systems, on the other hand, can be effective, do wonders for your back, but without a little extra effort on your part, they can’t eliminate back pain for good all on their own. So what is this little extra effort?

We’re talking about exercise, folks.  The right exercises can work to stop back pain, and bring your spine back into realignment.  The proper back exercises can actually help to heal your back by distributing nutrients up and down your spinal column, actually feeding the nerves, ligaments, and muscles that might be causing your back pain.  Certain back exercises will work to stretch your back, making it more durable and flexible as well.  Other back exercises can actually strengthen your back, as well as surrounding muscles like the hips, abs, and neck muscles.  Exercising your back now, can prevent back injury in the future.

Before you begin any back pain exercise regimen, you might want to consult with an orthopedic doctor about the correct exercises to do for your condition.  The same exercise is not fit for everyone, and some exercises might not be right for you.  A spine care specialist can recommend specific back exercises that will be specifically designed for your individual back ailment.  Getting the correct regimen of back exercises to fit your back health needs are essential whether the exercise program will be effective, or just cause further damage.

Some exercises that your doctor might recommend are series of stretching and flexibility exercises.  Stretching exercises will help to stretch back muscles and ligaments that are essential for proper back health.  Regular stretching will strengthen your back, as well as increase flexibility, in order to prevent future injury.  The doctor might also give you a series of exercises to help build muscle in the back, to decrease lower back stress, and to deal better with back trauma.  These might be exercises like swimming, or mild weight exercises.  Whatever exercise your doctor recommends remember to be thorough, and not give up, because it will take time to strengthen the back and bring it back into proper equilibrium.  Work hard, and don’t give up. Complement the proper seat support with exercises, and you’ll be on the way to exercising your back pain away permanently.

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Many people all over the world suffer from back pain, primarily because they do not receive the proper back support.  The link between proper back support and back pain may be well documented, but many people do not consider that it may be their pillow what is causing their back problems.  Poor posture, exhaustion and fatigue are usually some common causes of back pain, but many simply never realize that their pillow might be the one to blame.   Many pillows today do not even come close to offering the proper neck and back support that the body needs to stay in proper alignment.  Using the wrong pillow can give you a sore neck, sore back, can bring your body out of alignment, and can ruin your posture.

However, there are a number of specially designed pillows on the market, which can offer you the proper spine support, and work to decrease your back pain.  The average pillow is not usually designed with the health of your back in mind.  Most pillows are made of foam, or fiber, or a combination of cotton or feathers.  Most pillows are designed specifically for comfort, but are usually not designed for optimal spine, or back health.  This is why in recent years we have seen a number of new specially designed pillows become available, that are specifically designed for the optimum health of your back and spine.

One of these pillows is known as a lumbar pillow.  A lumbar pillow is a U-shaped or rectangular pillow, designed for treating back and spine health.  This is a back pillow used to fill as a cushion created between your spine and the chair.  People can use it at work, while driving, even on an airplane, to give you that extra posture and back support it so desperately needs.  This can be used in conjunction with a specialty neck support pillow, to provide optimum back relief.

Another popular pillow designed for back support is the donut pillow.  The donut pillow serves as a relief to people who have tailbone problems, and other back concerns.  The donut pillow’s shape is as it sounds, being a circular pillow with a whole in the middle.  The central hole absorbs the gravitational force from your neck to the pillow, allowing relief for the tailbone, not to mention better alignment of the spine.  The donut pillow offers relief from pain, better alignment and overall better back health.

When you’re searching for your next pillow and you want to pick one based on comfort and appeal, you may want to think again.  Your pillow can have profound effects on your posture, back health, alignment of your body and neck.  Before buying your next pillow make sure you take a second look, and choose a pillow that’s not only comfortable but good for your spine and back as well.

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People who have suffered with back pain for years have always looked into alternative treatments to find relief.  One of these alternative treatments that have been very successful in reducing back pain is practicing yoga.  Over time, yoga can increase the strength and flexibility of your back muscles, and can counteract the tightness and weak muscles that can cause many types of back pain.  Before practicing yoga, it may be a good idea to consult your doctor beforehand, to see if yoga is appropriate for you and your condition.

Using yoga to relieve back pain is no longer a theory, or an idea without merit, it is a reality.  Yoga is now accepted by most back care specialists as an effective treatment, and even sometimes, a remedy for the relief of back pain.  Practicing yoga will give you proper lumbar and back support, while at the same time strengthening the muscles in your back.  Practicing yoga over time will also help to realign your posture, which can also be a cause of back pain in itself.  Not only that, but yoga is also soothing, meditative, and healing to your body.

Many physicians will instruct patients with back problems to engage in some form of physical activity, or exercise to strengthen their back muscles, and to reduce overall pain.  However, many exercises can wreak havoc on an already aching back, and too much rigorous exercise can actually exacerbate the condition.  Traditional Western exercise tends to be very taxing on the body, especially the back, and although exercise is needed, the wrong kind of exercise can be ruinous for people with back problems.  This is one reason why yoga can be so beneficial in treating people that suffer from back pain.

Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years and there is a reason why.  Because it works.  Yoga has been well known for a long time to increase flexibility, strength, circulation, and help regulate breathing.  But it has not been until recently that doctors have made the connection between yoga and treating back pain.  Not only does this seem like a natural marriage, but it is also an effective one.

The first thing you want to do after consulting your doctor is contact a few yoga instructors and tell them about your condition.  They will be able to effectively guide you to what are the best movements for your condition, and give you a plan so that you will be successful.  Yoga can be an excellent way to relieve back pain and keep it from controlling and ruining your life.  But it’s critical to find the right instructor that challenges you, but understands your condition, and has experience training others with similar back problems.

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The sciatic nerve is located at the base of your backbone, near your tailbone.  It runs through the buttocks and down the back of the thigh, all the way down through the foot.  This is the longest nerve found in the body, and a number of conditions can easily put stress on it, resulting in severe back pain.  Simple things like unsuitable furniture, or even sitting on your wallet too long can irritate the nerve.  Too much stress can result in compression of the sciatic nerve, resulting in a condition called sciatica.

This pain that results from the impingement of the sciatic nerve can be quite excruciating, and can lead to debilitation in worst case scenarios.  However, there are a many aches and pains associated with sciatica that are not as severe, and can be properly treated.  A careful examination is necessary to properly diagnose the symptoms, and come up with the right solution.  The doctor will ask you for your previous medical history, the duration and frequency of the pain, if you have had previous sciatic episodes, even if you are using the proper posture and back support.  Some people with chronic illnesses such a diabetes are more predisposed to have sciatic problems than others, so make sure your complete medical history is well known.

After the doctor has discussed the symptoms with you, a physical examination will take place.  The source or origin of the pain is determined by making the patient perform a number of common activities like sitting, walking, standing, bending in different directions, even jumping up and down.  Other tests can include electrical conduction to establish whether there is a more serious problem with the transmission in the nerve, or if the nerve has been damaged by some other cause.  A simple X-ray or MRI should be able to get a clear diagnosis if there is any nerve or tissue damage, and will be able to diagnose the severity as well.

In some minor cases of sciatica, doctor intervention is not always necessary.  In some cases doing basic stretching exercises, coupled with extreme rest, can help the affliction.  Some people have even had success with meditation and yoga as an alternative method to treating this affliction.  However, if you are suffering from back pain and you think that it might be being caused by your sciatic nerve, it is best to go get it looked at immediately.  If you are having back pain, get it checked out at a doctor’s office first before you try any alternative methods of treatment.  It could be nothing, or it could be serious, but the only way to have the piece of mind in knowing, is to get a doctor’s opinion.

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When we think of injuries in the office workplace, we most often think of back and wrist injuries.  The fact is there are a multitude of office injuries that can result from improper back supports and lack of an ergonomic seat to give us the support we need. Chronic wrist and back pain are the most common, but an improper work station can also cause knee, leg, eye and even ankle strain.

General muscle aches and strains include tired legs, aching backs, stiff knees, shoulders and neck muscles.  When you get home at the end of the day and feel tired all over, this can be the result of a poor workplace set-up.

Wrist pain such as carpal tunnel results from repetitive motions such as typing without having proper support for the wrist.  The nerve that travels down the arm and through the wrist becomes compressed, resulting in pain and sometimes a tingling and numbness in the fingers.  Carpal tunnel can be improved by the use of a wrist brace, although sometimes surgery becomes necessary.

Eye strain is another common complaint among office workers.  Poor lighting is often the cause and can even lead to stiff and aching neck and shoulder muscles from hunching over to see things clearly.  This in turn can cause headaches and blurred vision as well as irritated watery eyes.  Occasionally accidents may occur when people have to move from a brightly lit area into a darker one.  For safety’s sake, lighting should be consistent throughout the workplace.

Lower back and leg pains can result from poor or lacking lumbar support and improper back support.  When we sit at a desk, our feet should always rest flat on the floor and our thighs should be parallel to the floor.  This alleviates stress and strain on the lower back.  Armrest should also be in the right position so that we don’t slouch or bend to rest our arms.

Another less commonly known injury in the office setting is a static posture injury.  This most often involves hip and knee strain.  It results from moving too quickly into an active position after sitting or standing in the same position for long periods.  The sudden movement causes strain to the muscles and can wear down ligaments causing serious pain.

All of these office workplace injuries can be avoided by the use of an ergonomically designed seat which provides proper back and lumbar support as well as a design that allows fluid movement between positions.

Having your office station set up with the proper lighting, seat and placement of equipment will help to ensure your comfort at work and at home at the end of the day!

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Back pain affects many across the globe, and can be quite debilitating as it affects not only our jobs and daily lives – but also our outlook on life and ability to enjoy our friends and family! Luckily, along with wonderful back supports, there are many wonderful herbal remedies available to help those who suffer from this condition to cope effectively.

Aryuvedic medicine has many solutions to this problem; the most commonly used is called Ashwagandha or “Indian ginseng”.  This herb is a potent anti-inflammatory and is also a de-stressor – so it is useful when back pain has been caused by recent injury or stress.  Another great Aryuvedic remedy is called Nirgundi or Vitex Nigundo.  This Indian herb is one of the most potent anti-arthritic formulations available in natural form today.  It helps with both the inflammation and the pain, so is a good choice if you don’t want to mix too many herbal formulations or want to stick with only one.

A common choice by many is Valerian root, which is the basis of the often prescribed tranquilizer, Valium.  It is a potent muscle relaxant and anti-stress supplement, but care must be used in taking it as it can also be a depressant. It is critical to make sure that you don’t take too much of it at any one time.   Recommended dosages are from 300 to 900 mg per day.  It is also an excellent remedy for insomnia.

Willow bark, also known as white willow bark, has analgesic properties and is a very effective pain reliever.  One word of caution, it should not be combined with aspirin.

Capsaicin, which is found naturally in cayenne pepper, is a great pain reliever when applied topically.  Simply mix cayenne powder into some body lotion or cream until the mixture turns pink, and then apply it to your back.  You should feel warm and tingly – and the pain should be lessened.

The common ginger root also contains 12 anti-inflammatory compounds that can help with back pain from injury or arthritis.  Ginger can be purchased in capsule form, or you can boil slices of the fresh root and drink the boiled water as a very effective pain and inflammation reliever.

Other good choices include drinking chamomile tea (also an excellent de-stressor), taking St John’s Wort capsules (a very effective antidepressant and inflammation reliever), or bathing in Epsom salts.

It is advised to experiment with different herbs and remedies until you find what works best for your unique condition.

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