Truck driver neck pain is….well, a PAIN! Driving for hours on end can be brutal on a truck driver’s back, shoulders and especially neck. As we all know, there’s nothing worse than a pain in the neck that just won’t go away. When it comes to truck driver neck pain, the best solution is some simple stretching. When truck drivers have tight muscles it begins to restrict how far joints can be moved.
For example, if I have really tight shoulder then it will restrict how far I can put my arm behind my back. When truck drivers have neck pain, it will restrict how far the neck can be moved from side to side. As any truck driver who has ever had a sore neck knows, it doesn’t take much pain to quickly realize how much you rely on being able to turn your head left and right and up and down. This is especially true when checking mirrors and doing head checks.
Trucker Neck Pain Problems
As well as limiting range of motion, truck driver neck pain and tight neck muscles can also lead to headaches and migraines. This is no fun…especially when there’s a day full of driving ahead. For this reason, truck drivers must do neck stretches regularly to make sure things are not getting too tight. By stretching a tight muscle, tension can be relieved resulting in a looser, more mobile muscle.
Here are four super easy neck stretches to reduce truck driver neck pain. Each of these also couples as a neck strengthening exercise. These can easily be done in the cab of a truck or just outside of the truck. For best results spend 2-3 minutes doing these each day to ensure your neck is relaxed and not carrying much tension. The key to these stretches is to target all directions, side to side and up and down.
Neck Stretches for Truckers
Neck Stretch 1 - this is one of my favorite neck stretches. Simply point as far as you can with your right hand as your head drops to the left. Try and keep your hand at the ninety-degree mark for the best results.
Up & Down Stretch - simply pull your head downwards or upwards and hold for 15-30 seconds
Side to Side Stretch - move your head side to side and in circles. Sometimes lead with your chin instead of your head. This is a great way to stretch your neck.
Side Pushes - simply push your head on one side and slightly push back with your neck muscles. Go slow with this one and take your time. This is a great way to strengthen your neck as well.
This article was originally featured on The Healthy Trucker.