After a long car journey, many people feel discomfort in the neck, a feeling of stiffness or even pain that extends towards the shoulders. If these symptoms are often attributed to fatigue or a bad night’s sleep, they can sometimes reveal the onset of a beginning cervical disorder… which we should not turn our back on.
Neck pain, a very common ailment today
Among the most common musculoskeletal disorders is neck pain, that is to say pain localized in the cervical region, at the back of the neck. According to the French Chiropractic Association, this pain affects between 30 and 50% of adults and nearly 67% of the population experiences at least one neck pain episode during their life.
This frequent inconvenience in the car which should alert
In this context, driving is a situation particularly conducive to cervical tension. For several minutes, even several hours, the neck remains in an almost fixed position. Result: the muscles gradually tighten and pain appears.
“The first signs are often neck pain or stiffness that returns, especially upon waking or after prolonged positioning”warns Dr. Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical. This discomfort can also be accompanied by tension in the shoulders, headaches or pain that radiates towards the shoulder or arm.
In the car, some drivers notice, for example, that they have difficulty turning their heads after a journey, that they feel persistent tension when getting out of the vehicle or that they experience increased pain in traffic jams. Symptoms often linked to inadequate posture while driving.
Why the car causes neck pain
Even without shock or sudden movement, driving imposes significant stress on the cervical spine. Jutting your chin forward slightly, craning your neck toward the steering wheel, or keeping your shoulders tense for a long time increases muscle tension.
“In practice, what matters most is neutral neck posture and regular breaks”insists Dr. Kierzek.
A poorly adjusted seat or a headrest positioned too low can also increase pain. Over time, these bad habits promote the appearance of mechanical and chronic neck pain, the most common form.
Signs that require consultation
Most neck pain remains benign and temporary. But certain symptoms should prompt you to consult quickly.
Dr. Gérald Kierzek recommends being concerned if the pain lasts several weeks, becomes more frequent, or gets worse.
“Tingling in the arm, muscle weakness, severe dizziness or pain that appears after trauma should also be a warning.”
These signs may reflect nerve irritation or a more serious cervical problem requiring medical advice.
Good reflexes to relieve neck pain in the car
However, a few simple adjustments can limit tension during journeys and provide comfort to everyday drivers:
- Keep your head in line with your trunk without moving your chin forward;
- Adjust the seat so that your back is well supported and your shoulders relaxed;
- Place the headrest at the height of the top of the head;
- Correctly adjust the steering wheel and mirrors to avoid straining your neck;
- Take regular breaks during long journeys to walk and mobilize your shoulders.
Simple, but essential actions to prevent this little temporary stiffness from becoming lasting.