Posts

Facing Back Pain and Stretching: 7 Effective Fixes for Driver Fitness 

Facing Back Pain and Stretching: 7 Effective Fixes for Driver Fitness 

Traveling can be a fun experience if you lead a busy lifestyle. It means you’re going out to meet family after a long time, going wherever the road takes you, and a lot of time to stop and admire the moment alone. But if back pain comes knocking, everything is turned upside down. It can ruin the simplest moments of joy, and if you’re someone who drives for a living, it can make your life miserable. Back pain can be triggered by sitting in the driver’s seat and being unable to stretch for a more extended period. Thankfully, due to modern science, many pain relief creams can be applied externally to help fight back pain.

This article will cover some ways to reduce back pain on the road!

How to Avoid Back Pain? 7 Easy Tips

Use Supports

Creating lumbar support can be quite a relief, and it doesn’t need to be complicated. You can roll a towel and place it against your back to give you the support your hurting back needs. Our favorite here at Mother Trucker Yoga is BackShield (Use code: MTY10). BackShield is perfectly designed with a driver’s most significant needs in mind. 

BackShield is a unique tool to use when facing back pain. There are many reasons for this one-of-a-kind product created to help our customers experience relief from back pain. It is unlike any other product for back support on the market. The BackShield assists in supporting the spine’s natural curvature and works—unlike cushions, beads, and different variations of back support on the market. This is the product drivers, and office workers have been waiting for! Grab yours and let us know what you think!

Move Your Seat Forward

Moving your seat forward can force you out of slouching or awkward lending position as there isn’t too much space between your chest and the steering wheel. It also helps relax your feet from the pedals, which can alleviate pain, when your seat is too far back, the muscles in your leg strain more to keep constant pressure on the pedals and can also leave your arms at an unnatural height and position, causing aggravating shoulder, neck, or when you might be facing back pain. 

Backshield - seat for truck drivers

Use Pain Relief Creams

While it is not advised to be on medicinal drugs, pain relief creams can step in as a major lifesaver. These creams are produced to delve deep into your skin and reach the muscles that are stressed and causing back pain. It is an effective and quick fix for all truck drivers. If you haven’t yet checked out STIFF Mother Trucker pain relief cream, what are you waiting for? We uniquely crafted this pain cream with 12 all-natural ingredients six active ingredients (most name brand creams only have 1-2) so you can get relief fast. 

Stretch Your Body

Whenever you get the break, taking time to stretch your body can do wonders to reduce your back pain. Being cramped in awkward spaces for long durations can increase stress in your muscles, and that can improve your health problems. By 20, we lose about 10% of our flexibility every decade. It might be time to stretch. Stretching doesn’t have to mean you are in yoga pants or own a yoga mat. It’s simple moves you can do right from the driver’s seat when you have just a few minutes to find relief. That’s all it takes. Twist your torso, roll your neck, ankles, and wrists, arch your back. All these moves add up and impact your health when done regularly and adequately. Check out Mother Trucker Yoga LIFESTYLE JUMPSTART Membership Platform and APP to get instant access to our driver-focused content so you can keep on moving. (Use the code: MTY30 for a free 30-day trial).

Mother Trucker Yoga LIFESTYLE JUMPSTART App and platform image

Change Your Steering Wheel Grip

Due to the additions of airbags, holding the steering wheel by ten o clock and two o clocks is outdated. Now specialists suggest that you have the steering wheel by nine o clock and three o clock, which allows you to rest your elbows on the armrests, which helps support your spine, reducing back pain. Next time you are at the wheel, check your elbows. Remember: relax the elbows, so they drip down, then slide your shoulders down your back as well—ah, relief. 

Heat Your Seats

If the option is available, heating your seats can be a blessing in disguise. The heat applied will release tension from the body, and the release can remove any signs of an ache in your body. Plus, warm muscles move better, which is a benefit as well. Many people reportedly turn their seat heaters on if they feel any form of ache in their muscles or back.

Use Ice Packs

If you have an immediate injury or strain, consider using ice right away to help reduce inflammation from the body fast. In contrast, you can use ice packs to reduce the inflammation on your back and numb the region so you can’t feel any pain. There are many ice packs available in stores that you can take on your travels and alternate between, making it a relatively accessible option for the truck drivers who need it most. 

Conclusion

Facing back pain on the road is not as easy of a task as it would seem, but our guide to help you might step in just when you need it. Stretching and pain relief creams are amongst many effective ways to deal with a poor lumber position, and for your truck driver’s health, this guide tells you all that you need to know!

Good Stress, Bad Stress and How to Manage It

,

How to manage stress is not something we are “taught”. But everyday life can be stressful. Good stress, bad stress. Stress, stress STRESS. It’s everywhere. 

Job demands, relationships, life events, and social media drama are daily occurrences. Moreover, it can begin to feel like this is just how life is supposed to be, coupled with the stresses of living over-the-road as a truck driver. These things can often have you feeling like you are traveling down a never-ending, bumpy road called LIFE. It’s easy to see how stress can suck you in and not let you go.

good stess bad stress blog post MTY

While stress can help some people perform under pressure, too much bad stress can negatively impact a person’s mental and physical health. It’s common for most people to focus on the negative side of stress, but sometimes stress can be a good thing. Good stress can motivate a person and help them achieve more goals. BUT how can a person tell the difference between good stress and bad stress?

Understanding Good Stress vs. Bad Stress

Good Stress

Good stress, often called eustress, is stress that pushes a person to accomplish more. It helps a person achieve those hard-to-reach goals. Good stress also helps a person learn new things, adapt to change, and engage in creative thinking. In a situation where a person is experiencing good stress, they always have control over the outcome of the issue.

Bad Stress

Bad stress, often referred to chronic stress, can slow a person down and prevent them from doing the things that they need to do. It can often lead us down a winding road of helplessness and despair. Bad stress can be things like staying in an unhealthy relationship long-term, living with a difficult person, continual high paced (stressful) workplace, taking on too many things, and continuously unable to complete them. That is continually saying “yes” when you should be saying “no.” When the body feels like it is under too much bad stress, symptoms such as excessive sweating, anxiety, headaches, and rapid breathing begin to appear. 

Managing Stress

As a yoga teacher, I encourage others to live a life where they can stay grounded, focused, balanced, and content. However, sometimes I fail to implement these strategies into my own life. I take on too many things, try to please everyone else, and neglect my health and self-care. It’s a downward spiral, and before I know it, my daily life is fueled by bad stress. Can you relate? 

Unfortunately, stress is inevitable. It’s a part of daily life. The good news is that stress IS manageable. To manage the stress in your life, you must relax your body and mind. You must balance the scale and know what your triggers are and what to do to bring yourself back to center. 

What is center? Center is when you feel like you are on point when you feel like you are handling life and thriving. When you sleep well and respond to life’s circumstances with ease, most people that meet with anger or hate are dealing with something much more profound—usually, sadness or hurt. And in not dealing with those emotions and challenges brings about bad stress and unwarranted responses that hurt rather than help.

Here are three ways to manage stress so that you can live a healthier, stress-managed life.

1. Take a Break

When I say take a break, I don’t mean a break where you are scrolling through social media or watching videos on your phone. I’m talking about unplugging and walking away from all the distractions in your life. Do something for five to fifteen minutes that requires very little of you other than for you just to be yourself and to be present. Sit outside, take a quick five or ten-minute walk, play a quick game of “Go Fish” with the kids, or engage in meditation. And sometimes that break is to help your body to heal. Make sure you take a time out so your physical body can reset and heal as well. Check out STIFF Mother Trucker Pain Relief Cream to give your body the boost it needs for rapid healing!

Stiff Mother Trucker

2. Put Away Your Electronic Devices

If you think about it, we live in a world where we have immediate access to almost anything we need. Instant information is available to use with the simple touch of an app on our phones or tablets. But at what expense? Being over connected has created a massive epidemic in our world today. An epidemic that has produced anxious stressed and technology-addicted teens and young adults that are not ok with doing nothing or being alone. The only way to break that cycle and bring more Zen into your life is to put the electronic devices down and slowly back away. Have a no-phone rule at the dinner table, limit screen time, keep your device in your pocket or bag when you are out with friends–whatever you need to do to stop looking at your device–do it. You’ll be glad you did.

3. Be Positive

Is your glass half-empty or half-full? If it’s half-empty, it’s time to change your thinking. Keeping a positive attitude, shifting your negative thoughts to positive ones, and keeping your self-talk encouraging are great ways to reduce stress. For example, instead of thinking, “I can’t believe I made the same mistake AGAIN,” think, “Everybody makes mistakes. It’s ok. It is something that I can fix.” Developing an attitude of gratitude toward the people, things, and events in your life is also an excellent way to reduce stress. Write it down or take time to tell the people in your life that you appreciate them–trust me; it goes a long way! Finally, smiling and laughing also helps to reduce stress. I guess laughter is the best medicine. 

AND if you are ready to get crystal clear on your life priorities, health needs, and how to achieve your goals, my Practices for a Positive and Productive Life Masterclass is for you! In this sixteen-week program, we cover three key areas: Breath, Body, and Belief. All three of which are necessary for sustainable success!

Utilizing these three tips will help you begin to walk down the path of life a little less stressed and more positivity. 

Need a bit more encouragement? Looking for a quick listen to help you manage stress? Check out the Positive Positivity Podcast with guest Hope Zvara

Self Care is Your Business MTY Blog

The Benefits of Capsicum for Natural Pain Relief

,

The Benefits of Capsicum for Natural Pain Relief

 

When I set out to create my pain relief cream, I had a list of ingredients I wanted in my pain cream and a list of what I didn’t. For the past 20 years I have been using, searching, and sampling other peoples pain relief creams and some of them worked, some didn’t. But all of them had something I didn’t like about them (in the ingredients). I have been saying, “one day, I’ll make my pain relief cream” for nearly five years. But when you live in a small town in Wisconsin, when will you plan to meet a manufacture and a formulator and someone who knows how to create a legit product? 

 

But while assisting one of my mentors at a workshop and hearing what I do with Mother Trucker Yoga, the great question came out of their mouth, “have you ever thought about creating a product?” A few months later, after several samples, ingredient combinations, texture trials, container sampling, and label creation- STIFF Mother Trucker Pain Relief Cream was born. 

stiff mother trucker pain relief cream blog

One of our favorite ingredients:

Capsicum or chili peppers are increasing their debut in the pain management department. You’ll find its chemical compound Capsaicin in many pain-relieving creams, gels, lotions, sticks, and sprays. Its topical formulation is an efficient pain management tool.

cap·​si·​cum | \ ˈkap-si-kəm  \

Definition of capsicum (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

1aany of a genus (Capsicum) of tropical American herbs and shrubs of the nightshade family widely cultivated for their many-seeded usually fleshy-walled berries

 called also pepper

2an oleoresin derived from the fruit of some capsicums that contains capsaicin and related compounds and is used medicinally especially as a topical pain reliever

What is Capsaicin?

Capsaicin was first isolated from chili peppers or capsicum in 1878 in crystalline form. Capsicum except bell pepper has its hot and spicy flavor from this little fellow, a remarkable health-promoting substance. It increases gastric secretions and stimulates nerve endings.

Capsicum blog mother trucker yoga

The Scoville Scale

However, its intense burning and irritating properties make it intolerable. Since it is a self-administered medicine, prescriptions are not required. Hence, to avoid the side effects from large quantity administration, a tool named Scoville scale was derived by W. Scoville which is used to determine the healthy amount of capsaicin in these medicinal preparations.

Pain Relief Stiff Mother Trucker Blog Mother Trucker Yoga

Uses of Capsicum for Topical Administration

The topical formulation of Capsaicin is absorbed well through the human skin. It is conveniently useful in the relief of:

  • Minor aches and pains from daily life
  •  Joint pains from age or injuries
  • Backache from long-term sitting or driving
  • Strains from muscle overuse, or muscle underuse coupled with jarring movements
  • Sprains from exercise, work-related injuries, or life!
  • Stings and bites from  bees and insects
  • Chronic pain from injuries, stiffness, and lingering pain
  • Pains like sciatica and piriformis syndrome

Indications of Capsaicin

F.D.A. Labeled Conditions
  • Arthritis
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Osteoarthritis
    • Fibromyalgia
  • Musculoskeletal Pains
F.D.A. Non-Labeled Conditions
  • Neuropathy Postoperative complications
  • Postherpetic neuralgia
  • Diabetic neuropathy
  • Migraine
  •  Postoperative nausea and vomiting
  • Psoriasis

Stiff Mother Trucker for Hand Pain Relief

Mechanism of Action

Capsaicin works in topical administration, although its exact mechanism has not been elucidated yet.

Capsaicin is a neuropeptide-active agent that renders the pain-sensitive areas insensitive to the pain sensation by depleting and preventing the accumulation of pain impulse mediators (from peripheral to the central nervous system). With this phenomenon, painful sensations fail to travel to the Central nervous system’s pain-sensitive regions, which gives us temporary relief from the painful episode.

 

Precautions

Do not apply Capsaicin cream to the cuts and open wounds.

Wash your hand immediately after applying the cream to avoid unnecessarily touching the burn sensitive areas such as nose, eyes, or mouth, etc.

Always consult your physician for directions before using the cream to get desirable results.

 

Side-Effects

Like all other topical herbs, chemicals, treatments, and oils, there are precautions you wan tot take and things you want to consider when using. These side effects can occur due to excessive use or use in forbidden areas. They include:

  • Burning sensation
  • Itching or Irritation
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Pain 

These side effects are often short-term and are often associated with improper use (IE- private parts, eyes, mouth). Some notice this with its first use, but they will gradually fade away after its continuous application. In our STIFF Mother Trucker formula, we are using just the right amount of capsicum combined with other soothing and cooling ingredients to give you the perfect combination for your muscles and skin. 

 

Read your labels on ALL your pain relief creams. Read your labels, many focus only on immediate cooling, but nothing to penetrate deep, nothing to do anything beneath the surface. That’s where STIFF Mother Trucker comes in. Let us be your number one solution for pain relief that hits you deeply! 

Ready to try the amazing benefits of capsicum and our other amazing all-natural ingredients??

Grab a tube HERE + get FREE Shipping + Free Stickers

Stiff Mother Trucker Pain Relief Cream for Truck Drivers

Topical Pain Relief Just for Truckers

,

Topical pain relief just for truckers when they need it most.

Have you ever really looked at topical pain relief creams and noticed what they are made with? I have been in the health and fitness industry for nearly 20 years, and pain is one of the top complaints students have. When I stepped into the trucking industry it was no surprise that pain, physical pain were also a chronic issue for drivers as well. Except for a driver, stopping and getting out of their truck is not always the easiest or even possible.

Having swollen joints from arthritis, inflammation from an injury, or chronic stiffness from lack of movement can cause quite a bit of pain and limit your ability to move. Physical pain is a pain in the butt, and getting relief when you are a truck driver is not always the easiest.

You may already have tried over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, and other pain relief creams. However having used more than 30 different pain relief creams on and off over the years, I constantly found myself liking certain things about this one, and disliking certain things about that one. And don’t even get me started on the crappy ingredients some creams put in- why? Because they can.

Working with truck drivers it became very clear that there wasn’t anything specifically for drivers. And one of the number one complaints I hear from drivers is physical pain, stiffness, tightness, P-A-I-N.

What is topical pain relief?

Topical pain medications are absorbed through your skin. Most people are familiar with creams, gels, or sprays that are put directly on the site of the injury, pain, or joint.

Because the ingredients are absorbed through the skin, it is suggested that wherever you use the cream (gel) you rub in thoroughly and massage into the area of discomfort.

How often should a topical pain relief cream be used?

Harvard suggested that a topical pain reliever should be applied two to four times a day for the best results. And is best when applied near a joint.

Pain Relief with Stiff Mother Trucker Blog MTY

What ingredients are best to look for?

After countless searches, time, and time again Capsaicin (Capsicum) was noted as a front runner for topical pain relief. This was an ingredient I never came in contact with when it came to topical pain relief options in the yoga and fitness industry.

Capsaicin (kap-SAY-ih-sin) causes the burning sensation you associate with chili peppers. Capsaicin creams deplete your nerve cells of a chemical that’s important for sending pain messages. Capsaicin is most effective if used several times a day. When used topically you often feel a deep penetrating sensation that often lasts for what our testers said was hours. You may also notice a slight read area where it was rubbed due to an increase in blood flow.

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine stated “Capsaicin is a powerful local stimulant that, with repeated applications, leads to persistent desensitization to pain. In each of these trials, the use of topical capsaicin produced statistically significant reductions in pain compared with the reductions in pain with the use of placebo.”

Peppermint has demonstrated anti-nociceptive and analgesic actions in multiple studies, especially with respect to its menthol constituent. For pain in a local area, the use of peppermint oil can aid in the relief of both pain and inflammation.

Arnica is a natural is a perennial plant found in the mountainous areas of Europe and North America that produce yellow-orange daisy-like flowers. Since the 1500s, the fresh or dried flowers of the arnica plant have been used for medicinal purposes.

A randomized study involving 204 people with hand osteoarthritis was published in Rheumatology International in 2007. It was found that daily arnica gel was as effective as daily ibuprofen gel, although neither treatment was compared to placebo. There also were minimal side effects with arnica.

Magnesium is an important nutrient. It has multiple functions within the body. These include:

  • regulating nerve and muscle function
  • supporting a healthy pregnancy and lactation
  • maintaining healthy blood sugar levels
  • maintaining optimum blood pressure levels
  • manufacturing and supporting protein, bone, and DNA health

One study done in the Journal of Integrative MedicineTrusted Source indicated that transdermal application of magnesium chloride on the arms and legs of people with fibromyalgia reduced symptoms, such as pain.

WebMD states that Menthol is a “medication” that is used to treat minor aches and pains of the muscles/joints (such as arthritis, backache, sprains). Menthol is known as a counterirritant. It works by causing the skin to feel cool and then warm.

These are just a few of the ingredients I researched and dove into knowing I wanted in my own pain relief cream. But more importantly, I wanted something natural, effective, and free of all the other junk.

When I started to dive into other topical pain relief creams, I really took notice of all the other “filler” ingredients, and working with a master formulated in the beauty industry she assured me that those ingredients do not need to be in there. And often those are used as “filler” ingredients.

Why should you have to read a label worried if junk ingredients are in there? Why should you have to worry that someone is poisoning you, or claiming something is “natural” when only one or two of their ingredients are?

You shouldn’t have to worry and you shouldn’t have to doubt.

First-Ever Topical Pain Relief Cream Just for Truck Drivers.

Mother Trucker Yoga is proud to introduce you to the first-ever Stiff Mother Trucker Topical Pain-Relief Cream made for truckers.

The perfect formula for pain on the go with no junky ingredients. But don’t worry you don’t have to be a trucker to use Stiff Mothe Trucker, everyone can benefit from our signature formula designed for those who need fast and immediate relief alongside long-lasting penetration.

Want to grab your bottle today?

Get FREE shipping for a limited time only and free samples to share with fellow drivers!

Stiff Mother Trucker Pain Relief Cream MTY Blog

For more articles on pain relief, check out Mother Trucker Yoga’s recent article on back pain: https://mothertruckeryoga.com/2020/02/18/put-back-pain-in-your-rear-view-mirror/

And check out Bud and Tony’s article on back pain contributed to:

https://www.budandtonystruckparts.com/truck-driver-back-pain

3 Stretches to Improve Hand Mobility While Driving

,

Pain can halt any job dead in its tracks. But when you are a truck driver the last thing you need is to come to a dead stop. Having a good grip is one of the number one things a truck driver needs. Why? Because controlling that 18 wheeler while out on the open road requires several things, one is gripping the steering wheel. Having good hand mobility includes your fingers, wrists and arms.

Sure it may seem insignificant, but not being able to grip the steering wheel, ratchet down your load, or open your truck door all require your hands to work properly.

If you find daily tasks difficult to do because you suffer from stiffness, swelling, or pain in your hands, the right exercises can help get you back in motion.

Repetitive strain injuries are not just for those who type on a computer or hold a hammer. Continuously holding your steering wheel in a particular way can also cause pain and discomfort. And the lack of having full range of motion regularly is a big part of the problem with anyone with hand and wrist issues.

Taking a time out and stretching your fingers, hands, and wrists is one of the best ways to keep pain and discomfort at bay and increase hand mobility and function.

Below you will find five commonly recommended exercises for hand and wrist problems. However, if your hand condition is painful or debilitating, it’s best to get exercise advice from a physical therapist. All exercises should be done slowly and deliberately, to avoid pain and injury. If you feel numbness or pain during or after exercising, stop and contact your doctor.

FINGER  AND HAND STRETCHES:

Most of the time the only way we are moving our fingers is into flexion. AKA curling them into the grip. When you repeatedly do something over and over you create a pattern. Like driving a dirt bike on the grass over and over, you eventually create a dirt path within the grassy ground.

TRY THIS: Open and outstretch your hand as wide as you can. Look at it from the side and see if all of your fingers straighten up. Is it hard to do? When is the last time you stretched (extended) those joints? Did something that didn’t require you to “grip”?

PRO TIP: Twice a day stretch your fingers, you can pull back on each finger one at a time. Or you can also use the steering wheel and stretch each finger again the wheel. Try to hold the stretch for at least 10-20 seconds each.

Finger Stretches Mother Trucker Yoga Blog

WRIST AND HAND STRETCHES:

Most of us have jobs where we use our body by folding inward. Bending forward. Rounding forward. Gripping. Internally rotating. Not only does this create patterns in our body to where we start to stand, sit, move and exercise with those patterns, it also plays a negative role in how we feel. Closing off the chest, can increase anxiety, depression and decrease breathing.

When it comes to the wrists we need to reverse it. if you want to increase hand mobility and if you suffer from tennis elbow, wrist strain, or even shoulder strain, a little extension in the wrists could bring relief.

TRY THIS: Next time you are standing next to your truck, a wall, or even use the steering wheel, turn your forearm up and stretch your palm/wrist out. Try to keep the fold of the elbow facing upward and if you are using your truck, lean your elbow into your body to brace the stretch. If you are in your truck create a full extension on your elbow and keep the eye (the fold) of the elbow facing upward.

PRO TIP: Do this at least twice a day and try to hold this for 30 seconds to one minute. You may notice a ripping like feeling. Don’t be alarmed, that is the fascia of the body stretching and releasing. Think of it like fuzz melting off. If you haven’t melted the fuzz in a while, it’s going to be sticky!

Wrist Stretch Mother Trucker Yoga Blog

Wrist Stretch in truck mother trucker yoga

SHOULDER & UPPER ARM STRETCH:

When there is physical pain, oftentimes those in pain only look to where they “feel” pain as the culprit of the pain. But when it comes to the shoulder, elbow, and wrist, any one of the three just listed can cause another pain. So next time your wrist or hand is giving you grief, look up a little higher to the shoulder. Tennis elbow? Could be the shoulder to blame. Hand mobility doesn’t just mean you have a hand issue, neighboring body parts can be to blame.

TRY THIS: Next time you are waiting to load or unload, have a little downtime or are on break, try this quick and easy shoulder and upper arm stretch. Simple cross one arm in front of your chest and latch it in with the other, hugging it tightly. Try to straighten the arm that is laying across your chest to increase the stretch. Hold it for at least 30 seconds. And then repeat the opposite side.

PRO TIP: While stretching, it is important to try to relax your shoulders and breathe deeply. Hold the stretch until the initial pain drops at least in half. Look towards the stretching arms side to get the neck involved as well.

Shoulder Stretch Mother Trucker Yoga Blog

Don’t let pain be the reason you stop doing what you love. Or keep you from your job. Taking preventative measures is one of the best ways to keep your body working with you and not against you. Regular stretching not only is good for the body, but it releases endorphins to the brain and leaves you happier and healthier.

The next time your wrists and hands start calling a TIME OUT, remember these simple easy stretches you can do no matter where the open road takes you.

And don’t forget about our Stiff Mother Trucker Pain Relief Cream, perfect to use after you stretch your hands, wrists, and arms. Stiff Mother Trucker Pain Relief Cream was specifically formulated for professional truck drivers to meet their body’s pain in contact. We believe that every driver can feel better wherever they are with simple easy stretches and practices, one of them being pain relief cream.

No matter where you are, on the road or at home, remember there are simple and easy things you can do today to start to feel your best.

 

Want to read more from Mother Trucker Yoga?

10 Tips for a Functional Body Blog