Long Chicago commutes—whether behind the wheel or on public transit—can do more than eat up your time. They can take a serious toll on your body, especially your back and neck. Hours of sitting in traffic or being crammed into a crowded train can lead to stiffness, strain, and lingering pain that’s hard to ignore. In this blog, we’ll break down the most common causes of commuter-related pain, share practical tips for relief, and explain when it’s time to see a back pain specialist.
What Causes Back and Neck Pain While Commuting in Chicago?
If you’ve ever felt neck or back pain while driving or commuting, you’re not alone. The daily grind of commuting can cause the following issues:
- Poor posture: Many people slouch while sitting in a car or on public transportation, which exerts pressure on the lower back and neck.
- Prolonged sitting: Those with long commutes wind up sitting for extended periods of time, restricting blood flow to the muscles and increasing pain and stiffness.
- Vibrations and movements: Driving or riding on uneven terrain may cause your body to experience vibrations, which further irritate your muscles and joints.
- Mental stress: Between traffic jams and tight schedules, there are plenty of issues that make commuting stressful. Mental stress can actually worsen physical stress, leading to extra tension in the neck and back areas.
What Simple Changes Can You Make to Prevent Pain During Your Commute?
From a stiff neck to a sore back, there are many physical consequences of a long, rough commute. To lower pain levels, try the following tips:
- Maintain good posture: No matter which form of transportation you’re using, it’s important to maintain proper posture. Make sure you’re sitting upright and that your head and neck are aligned with your spine.
- Stretch properly: Stretching helps prevent muscle stiffness, which commonly occurs when you sit for too long. Some simple stretches include tilting your neck from side to side, rolling your shoulders in a circular motion and twisting your torso back and forth.
- Exercise regularly: In addition to stretching, you should engage in exercises that strengthen the neck and back muscles. These include chin tucks, shoulder blade squeezes and dumbbell shrugs.
When Should You Seek Treatment for Commuter-Related Pain?
Although these tips can help achieve back and neck pain relief, they’re not always enough on their own. For the best results, you should combine lifestyle changes with professional intervention. Here are some signs that you should seek medical treatment:
- Persistent, long-lasting pain: If your pain doesn’t go away after resting, there may be an underlying issue that requires medical intervention.
- Radiating pain or numbness: Neck or back pain that radiates down your limbs is a sign of nerve irritation or compression.
- Mobility problems: Pain that limits your mobility suggests more serious issues, such as muscle strain or joint deterioration.
- Headaches: Over time, serious pain problems can cause tension headaches and dizziness.
How Can MAPS Centers for Pain Control Help Relieve Your Pain?
Are you looking for professional pain solutions? As a premier back and neck pain center in Chicago, MAPS is committed to your comfort. We offer a wide range of effective, minimally invasive treatments, all of which can be personalized to your needs. Here’s a closer look at our treatments and what they entail.
Injection-Based Therapy
Our injection treatments deliver medication directly to the affected area, resulting in quick pain relief. They include the following:
- Lumbar and cervical injections: Deliver steroids to the lower back area
- Epidural steroid injections: Inject anti-inflammatory medication around the spinal nerves
- Sacroiliac joint injections: Inject medication into the sacroiliac joint, or the area that connects the spine and pelvis
Minimally Invasive Procedures
We specialize in interventional procedures that reduce pain without relying on complex, invasive surgeries. Our innovative treatments include the following:
- Radiofrequency ablation: This treatment uses heat generated by radiofrequency waves to disable nerves that transmit pain signals.
- Cryoneurolysis: While radiofrequency ablation relies on heat, this treatment uses freezing cold temperatures to disable nerves.
- Spinal cord stimulator implantation: In this treatment, a small device is implanted underneath the skin. Once in place, it sends electrical pulses that disrupt pain signals before they reach the brain.
- Disc decompression: If your pain is caused by a bulging or herniated disc, you may benefit from disc decompression. Put simply, it involves removing a portion of disc material to reduce pressure on the nerves.
Explore Customized Pain Management Plans at MAPS
Commutes are already enough of a chore; there’s no reason they should be painful as well. At MAPS Centers for Pain Control, we’re committed to helping Chicago locals find effective, long-term solutions for their back and neck pain. We’ll start by carefully considering your unique symptoms and condition. Then, we’ll build a custom pain management plan tailored to your needs. Contact our back pain specialists in Chicago today!