Rideshare Driving and Self Care

Have you been sitting in the drivers seat for hours at a time? Getting your hustle on is great for your finances, but can take a toll on your body. Read on to learn a few simple activities you can do between pax or at the end of your driving to alleviate some of your discomfort. 

Need more? A Physical Therapist can help! In many cases you can see a Physical Therapist without needing a referral from your physician. Click here to find a PT in your area! 

Buttock and hip pain: 

A likely cause of that pain-in-your-butt (and hip) sensation is tension in the piriformis muscle, which in turn clamps down on the sciatic nerve. Constant sitting puts pressure on this location. 

One way to alleviate the pain is to add regular stretching. While waiting for your next pax, try crossing one ankle over the opposite knee, and gently bring your knee toward your opposite shoulder. You should feel a gentle stretch in your hip and buttock area. Hold the stretch for about 30 seconds with 2-3 repetitions on each side. 

A variation of this stretch is to bring your knee up toward your opposite shoulder. 

The front of your hips will also often get more and more tight the longer you sit, leading to back pain and difficulty standing up straight. Stretch the front of your hips and thighs either in standing, or by kneeling once you get back home. Hold the stretch for about 30 seconds with 2-3 repetitions on each side.

Neck and shoulder pain and stiffness: 

Is turning your head to check your mirrors and back up getting more difficult? Make sure your neck stays limber by gently and slowly nodding “yes” and turning your head “no.” About 10 of each of these will help keep things moving better. 

What about that persistent painful tightness in your shoulders? Try gently tilting one ear toward your shoulder while keeping your face forward. Need more intensity? You can place your hand on top of your head, but beware pulling too hard! Hold the stretch for about 30 seconds with 2-3 repetitions on each side.

Have you noticed your posture getting worse? Hours spent with your arms on the steering wheel and shoulders pushed forward by your car seat can leave you looking old before your time with shoulders rounded forward and slumped posture. 

Take some time to focus on dropping your shoulders down and pulling them back for 3-5 seconds at a time. A few sets of about 10 of these will help get you standing tall once again! You can also spend a bit of time clasping your hands behind your back to pull your shoulders down and back. 

I have a video of these here!

 Any questions? Let me know!