Lower Back Pain from Commuting? Tips for Bradford Drivers
If you live in Bradford and work in the GTA, you know the drill. Whether you are battling traffic on Highway 400 or sitting on the GO Train for an hour each way, you are spending a massive chunk of your day sitting down.
By Friday, that low dull ache in your lower back often turns into sharp pain or stiffness that ruins your weekend.
You aren’t alone. “Commuter’s Back” is one of the most common reasons clients visit my clinic. Here is why it happens and how massage therapy can help you get back in the driver’s seat pain-free.
Why Driving Hurts Your Back
It seems counterintuitive—you’re just sitting, so why does it hurt? The problem isn’t the effort; it’s the position.
When you sit for 60 to 90 minutes at a time, your hips are in a constant state of flexion. This causes your hip flexors (the muscles at the front of your hips) to shorten and tighten.
When you finally stand up, those tight hip flexors pull on your lumbar spine, tilting your pelvis forward and compressing your lower back. Over time, this imbalance can lead to:
– Chronic lower back pain
– Gluteal amnesia (your glutes “forget” how to fire)
– Sciatica-like symptoms running down the leg
How Massage Therapy Helps
Taking painkillers might mask the ache, but it doesn’t fix the mechanical issue caused by your commute.
As a Registered Massage Therapist, I approach this problem by addressing the root cause, which is often not where you feel the pain. To fix a sore back from driving, we often need to treat the front of the body first.
My treatments for commuters typically focus on:
One Simple Tip: Check Your Wallet
This is the easiest fix in the world, yet so many drivers miss it. Do not drive with your wallet in your back pocket.
Sitting on a wallet creates an uneven foundation for your pelvis, forcing your spine to curve to compensate. Even a small tilt over an hour-long drive can cause significant muscle spasms. Take it out and put it in the console!
Need Relief?
Don’t let your commute dictate your quality of life. If you are struggling with stiffness or pain after driving, book a Therapeutic Massage at WoVe MT. We can work together to undo the damage of the daily grind.