As summer vacation season approaches, many people enjoy their holidays to escape the heat, but the number of patients complaining of back pain also increases. Long-distance driving or driving on congested roads for extended periods increases the pressure on the lower back. If you experience numbness from one thigh to the calf after driving for a long time, you might suspect a lumbar disc herniation (herniated disc).
Dr. Choi Soo Yong from the Spine Endoscopy Center at Seran Hospital advised, “If you’re driving long distances, take breaks to stretch and relieve tension in your spine. Adjust the angle of the driver’s seat backrest to maintain the natural S-curve of your spine as much as possible. If you experience thigh numbness after long-distance driving, you may suspect lumbar disc herniation. If the pain persists and daily life is uncomfortable, it is better to visit a hospital.”
In the early stages of lumbar disc herniation, neck or back pain may persist, and gradually, tingling symptoms may extend to the arms and legs. This occurs because the protruding disc irritates the nerve roots, leading to sensory disturbances in the legs. However, it’s also possible for tingling to occur without any prior neck or back pain.
Not everyone with a lumbar disc herniation needs surgery. For patients with less severe symptoms, conservative treatments like medication, physical therapy, and traction are usually the first line of treatment. Surgery is typically considered only when patients experience bowel or bladder dysfunction or when recurring pain significantly impacts their daily activities.
Maintaining good posture is essential to preventing lower back pain and disc herniation. When driving, position your seat closer to the steering wheel, raise your knees slightly, and use a cushion for lumbar support. Getting up and stretching every 30 minutes or hour for long-distance driving is also advisable.
Choi emphasizes, “The disc (intervertebral disc) is subjected to 1.5 to 2 times more pressure when sitting than when standing. Therefore, improper posture while driving for long periods can easily lead to a herniated disc. Sitting in a reclined position exerts up to 90% more pressure than a correct posture, so maintaining the correct driving posture is a very important habit.”
