Cottage Country Survival Guide: Surviving the Drive

The Road to the Lake

It is a Manitoba tradition: packing up the car on Friday afternoon and heading to the Whiteshell, Kenora, or Gimli. But for many patients, that 2-hour drive is a recipe for sciatica and stiffness.

The Bucket Seat Trap

Modern car seats are often bucket-shaped, which tucks your pelvis backward and rounds your lower back. This puts immense pressure on your lumbar discs.

• The Fix: Check your knees. They should be slightly lower than your hips. If they are higher, you are compressing your hips. Sit on a small wedge or towel if needed to level out your pelvis.

  
  

Don't Unload Cold

The biggest mistake we see? Driving for 2 hours in a static posture, jumping out of the car, and immediately grabbing a heavy cooler or boat motor. Your spinal muscles have been inactive during the drive — they are not ready to fire yet.

• The Fix: Walk around for 2 minutes when you arrive. Do a few gentle standing back extensions. Then unload the car.

  
  

A pre-trip adjustment is worth it. Call us before the long weekend and we will make sure you are road-trip ready.