Truck driving puts a lot of stress on the body. Just spending hours behind the wheel can take its toll, no matter what vehicle you drive. When you factor in the shifting, steering, clutching, and constant monitoring that is required in a big truck, you have an increased risk of neck, back, arm, hip, and leg pain. If they drive a type of truck that requires loading, unloading, or tying down a load, the probability increases even more. Many drivers experience pain, difficulty in mobility, and decreased flexibility. This can impact how well they perform their job and how much they enjoy their downtime.

How Truck Driving Takes a Toll on the Body

Drivers spend a lot of time doing just that – driving. That is hard on the body in and of itself. Professional drivers do it every day for hours on end. Even local drivers who are home every night put in a lot of miles. Often, drivers must also perform certain functions regarding what they are hauling. Some have to secure their load with straps and tie-downs or have to handle heavy hoses and equipment to load and unload tankers. Some drivers have to load and unload (known as “lumping”) their freight themselves. It can involve heavy lifting and repetitive movements. Loaded tanker trucks can be challenging to drive because of the slosh. Most big rigs require a lot of shifting. They may have to shift through 10, 15, or even 18 forward gears.

Team drivers have the added stress of being in a vehicle that is constantly in motion. Even while sleeping in the bunk, they can be subject to constant vibrations and bouncing as the truck travels over the road. This can lead to impact trauma, often to the shoulder, as the driver in the sleeper lays on his or her side. Roads that are poorly maintained can cause impact trauma to both the driver and the person in the bunk. For all the physical exertion and exposure to a rough environment, though, drivers get a very little exercise. They spend a lot of time sitting behind the wheel and making the same movements over and over. This limited mobility can lead to structural problems like pain in the back, hip, knee, shoulder, arms, and legs. This is compounded by the fact that many prescription medications that are typically prescribed for these issues have side effects that can be dangerous for someone getting behind the wheel.

How Chiropractic Can Help Truck Drivers

Chiropractic care provides truck drivers with a non-invasive, drug-free way to treat injuries, manage conditions, and relieve pain. Regular chiropractic care can help correct postural habits that can expose the body to injury or move the body out of balance and the spine out of alignment. Often, it can identify emerging issues before they become a problem. When a driver first visits a chiropractor’s office, they undergo a thorough checkup and assessment to determine their needs and goals. The chiropractor may recommend certain lifestyle changes and show them some exercise they can do in the truck or while they are on the road, as well as ways to minimize the effects of the activities their job requires. Some of the larger truck stops are now offering drivers access to medical and chiropractic services, allowing them to get treatment when needed. Sometimes a driver is out for several weeks at a time and may not be able to get to their regular chiropractor for an adjustment. However, having a regular chiropractor at home and keeping regular appointments to stay healthy and on the road is still a good idea.

18 Wheeler Accident Chiropractic Treatment