Why Some Truck Drivers Get Road Rage

Posted in Trucker Lifestyle by Brian · 1 Comment 

Turn on the television to watch the news and you’re likely to see at least one story of injuries or deaths caused because of road rage.  Do truck drivers get road rage?  Unfortunately, some of us do.

Most people are aware of drivers that get upset because of traffic.  They are seen nearly every day on the road screaming at the people in front of them who aren’t going fast enough.  Quite often, however, road rage turns dangerous and lives are lost.

Aggressive driving isn’t anything new.  Drivers with Road Rage are seen driving too closely behind another vehicle, speeding, changing lanes without ensuring they are clear, forgetting to signal that you’re changing lanes, or being rude to other drives.  Aggressive driving becomes road rage when the driver who is already frustrated with traffic overreacts or retaliates with some type of violence.

Various media sources have reported the incidences of road rage, many of them which have ended in loss of life, but need not characterize each accident as being the result of road rage.  If you happen to notice an actual case of road rage where a driver is purposely trying to run someone off the road as well as if a person is exhibiting impaired driving, contact the authorities to alert them.  Many cell phones can be used to do this simply by dialing #77.

Drivers who drive the farthest are often the most like to react if they are confronted with aggressive or rude drivers.  Unfortunately that means that many truck drivers, who have been on the road for hours trying to deliver a load, sometimes are guilty of road rage.

Of course, the best course of action when someone is driving poorly is to not become emotionally involved if someone cuts you off or is going to slow.  Not all cases of road rage happen while drivers are on the highway.  Some occur in parking lots where people are vying for the same parking spot.

Road rage seems to be an epidemic in the country.  Women are as likely to have problems in this area as much as men.  The drivers come from all walks of life and are in all age groups.

What can be done about this problem?  Some professionals recommend having those guilty of road rage attend a support group.  Other suggestions are to require each person found guilty in court of road rage to attend anger management courses.  In either case, something needs to be done.

Do truck drivers get road rage?  Truck drivers are as human as the next person.  They will have episodes where they get frustrated by the way others on the road are driving.  If they realize they have a problem, they may want to seek help from professionals.

Leave  us your story by clicking on the comments link below. Know someone who might have Road Rage and could benefit from this article. Just hit the forward to a friend button below.

Should Trucking be a Family Affair?

Posted in Trucker Lifestyle by Brian · 1 Comment 

Truck driving, over-the-road driving, long-hauling, or driving the big rig, it doesn’t matter what you call it, driving a diesel truck across the country is an honorable career.  Truckers help the rest of the country by delivering the items needed to fill stores.  It makes one wonder should trucking be a family affair?

Some truck drivers have followed in their father’s footsteps.  Their sons want to follow in theirs and become drivers, too.  In fact, it’s not uncommon for many generations in a family to be truck drivers.  Is it a good idea, though?

No one will deny that being a truck driver is a hard job.  It can be lonely, both for the driver and for those at home.  It’s not easy for children to spend most of their time without one parent in their lives.  Unfortunately, this is one of the hazards of being a truck driver.

There are other aspects of trucking that make the job difficult.  Danger from being on the road for many hours a day, long drives with little sleep, and the possibility of developing health issues are some of these aspects.  Sometimes you wonder why anyone would want to be a driver, but there they are doing what needs to be done to get the job done.

It’s no wonder truck drivers’ children often want to do what Dad does when they grow up.  They understand the hardships and the commitment it takes to be a driver.  However, to most it’s not just a job, it’s a lifestyle.  In fact, it’s a lifestyle that these drivers can’t easily give up.

Should a son or daughter follow in their parent’s footsteps and become a truck driver?  No one except for your family can make that decision.  They should be aware of the requirements of driving a truck, the dedication it will take, and be more able to make an informed decision based on their own experience.

Some parents will tell their children, even though they love what they do, the sacrifices have been too high.  They may suggest that their children think long and hard about possibly putting their own children in similar circumstances they faced during childhood.  Some may go so far as to forbid their children from becoming truck drivers, which may not be a wise thing to do.

Ultimately, however, the choice of whether or not a truck driver’s child carries on the family business is up to them.   Should trucking be a family affair?  No one can answer that question for another.  If they do choose to drive a truck, encourage them, and give them the benefit of your experiences.  You’ll both be glad you did.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Tell us your Road Dog family story by clicking on the link below.

Careers in Gear

Posted in Resources by Brian · 1 Comment 

CareersInGear (http://www.careersingear.com) along with the Orlando Employment Guide (http://orlando.employmentguide.com) have created an event just for drivers, that can jump start your career or put life back into your battery. Join us on Saturday, August 2 ^nd from 10am-2pm at NBI in Winter Haven, FL to meet with Central Florida’s Transportation leaders as they look to usher in a new wave of drivers, dispatchers, warehouse workers, yard dogs, dock loaders, security personnel and more for their fleets, company trucks, OTR loads, refrigerated trailers, flat-bed, tanker, warehouses, offices and Owner / Operator trips. (Feel free to edit this, we have used it for SEO purposes on our site)

Location: 
NBI | Truck Driver Training School 
4950 Recker Highway 
Winter Haven, FL 33880 

If you are an Owner Operator (O/O) bring in your truck for a best in show competition where you can win the coveted Careers in Gear trophy along with other great prizes from our sponsors. 

Bring your family for a fun filled day that can change the way you drive, or at least who you drive for. This event is open to all drivers, whether you have a CDL license, are just coming out of driving school, or have 30 years of experience under your belt, the Summer Driver Job Fair will be a great opportunity to network with others in your industry, show off your truck or find a new career path. 

More information: 
For more information on this Driver Job Fair, please send an email to greg.rollett@employmentguide.com . 

*Transportation companies, it is not too late to participate!* If you would like to showcase your company and available jobs, we would love to have you aboard. Simply send us an email and we can get you ready for a great afternoon. There are also packages for additional exposure leading up to, during and after the event to keep the action high all summer long!* 

See you on August 2nd!

Is the Trucking Industry Ready for 21st Century New Technology?

Posted in Money Saving Tips by Brian · 3 Comments 

New technology is making many jobs easier.  Is the trucking industry ready for new technology to revolutionize it, as well?  Some drivers can’t wait for the trucking industry to catch up with other industries by way of technology; but not everyone feels the same way.

Truck drivers around the country welcomed the PrePass System which helps truck drivers by-pass weight stations in 28 of the 50 United States.  This system not only helps save time by the truck diver not having to wait in line, it also helps save fuel.  According to PrePass, their system has saved well over $1 billion since it began in 1997.

Another new technology that could vastly improve the trucking industry is the development and soon-produced hybrid vehicles.  Since diesel costs continue to rise, have an alternative source of fuel is something truck drivers are interested in.  However, the newer technology won’t be here soon enough to keep some drivers from parking their rigs.

There are currently some environmentally friendly diesel engines, but the cost is such that drivers aren’t able to switch over to the new technology.  Many drivers would like to purchase new rigs, but it’s not cost effective.  Until the price of the new engines and trucks drops or the hybrid trucks hit the market it seems the trucking industry is at an impasse.

Other forms of technology are also being implemented in trucks.  New anti-lock brakes and collision avoidance technology have greatly affected safety. The biggest changes seen in the trucking industry are not seen directly in the rig itself.  Information technology has allowed better communication with drivers and with the trucks themselves.  Real-time tracking information is now available.

Truck rigs have undergone technological updates, as well.  They are now more ergonomic, the seats as well as the layout of the console, making it much more comfortable for a driver to spend countless hours on the road.  The addition of global positioning systems (GPS) has also made the truck driver’s life easier.

Transportation is one industry that can’t be exported overseas for others to do.  It also can’t be replaced by technology until someone invents a science fiction transporter system.  Truck drivers are a vital part of the United States economy, and while there may be new technologies developed, it’s not likely truck driving as a whole will change.

Technology is great, and it can improve our lives, but it won’t solve all of our problems.  Some of the recent technologies will be implemented in the future.  New technologies can become more of a hindrance than a help.  Is the trucking industry ready for new technology?  For the most part, it seems the industry is ready, but the technology may not come soon enough.

Are the foods you are eating keeping you in pain?

Posted in The Healthy Trucker by Brian · 1 Comment 

By Steve Hefferon, CMT, PTA and co-founder of LoseTheBackPain.com

An Anti-Inflammatory Diet Could Be the Ticket to Feeling Better

When I say the word “inflammation,” it’s likely to evoke thoughts of painful joints and muscles, swelling, and a loss of mobility. But did you know that recent research shows that chronic inflammation in your body can lead to serious diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, and Alzheimer’s disease, to name just a few?

The amount of inflammation in your body varies and is dependent on a number of factors - including your activity level, the amount of sleep you get, the degree of stress in your life, and even the foods you eat. What you have to realize is that these factors are cumulative - meaning they build up over time. And the more that any or all of these factors get out of whack, the risk for disease increases.

Early in life, these levels can be so low that you might not even be aware that you have any inflammation in your body. That’s because our bodies do a fairly decent job of controlling the inflammation - at least for a while. Then one day you wake up and you’re in your 40s and something is just not right. That’s when the fear begins to set in, and you think to yourself: What did I do wrong? or What can I do now to help myself?

The first step is to get your C-reactive protein (CRP) levels tested. C-reactive protein is produced by the liver, and the level of CRP rises when there is systemic inflammation in the body. Ask your doctor about this (you may have to demand to have the test done). All it requires is a blood sample that will be evaluated by your doctor. And because diet can play a large role in how much or how little inflammation you have, you may want these levels looked at by a registered dietician who can help you formulate an appropriate eating plan.

If you have pain due to inflammation, you may choose to take the traditional medical path, which includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids, and even joint-replacement surgery in extreme cases. The good news is that there are natural ways to fight inflammation without the undesirable side-effects that often result from the treatments listed above.

What You Eat Makes All The Difference

The food we eat is a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to controlling inflammation. The typical American diet consists of too much fat, tons of sugar, loads of red meat, and a frightening amount of processed foods - all of which are likely to increase inflammation and contribute to obesity, which itself is can cause inflammation. By switching to an anti-inflammatory diet plan consisting of healthy whole foods, you can actually decrease inflammation and ease the pain and discomfort associated with it.

The first step is to avoid processed foods, foods high in sugar, and junk food whenever possible. Instead, choose fresh whole foods, especially anti-inflammatory varieties such as lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables. But choose carefully. Many vegetables and pre-packaged “health” foods can actually work against you. Use this handy list of the best and worst foods for controlling inflammation:

In addition to these dietary changes it is also recommended that you:

• Maintain a healthy weight - There is no question that eating healthy is not easy nowadays, whether you’re at home or at a restaurant. But at the very least, you must try to decrease your intake of sugars and hydrogenated oils and increase your daily intake of fiber. Ideally, you should be consuming 35 grams of fiber (that is a ton of fiber, but it’s worth shooting for).
• Get better sleep - 7 to 9 hours of sleep is a must for optimal health; getting a good night’s sleep is key to controlling systemic inflammation.
• Relax more often to lower stress levels - Find time for yourself throughout the day to focus on your breathing and clear the clutter from your mind; learn to stay focused on the most important tasks in your life.
• Exercise on a regular basis - People always ask me: What’s the best exercise to do? I always tell them: Do something you like to do and, if your body can tolerate it, aim for 15-20 minutes three times a week.
• Demand to have you CRP levels tested - This simple blood test is the best indicator of the amount of systemic inflammation in your body. Have the levels evaluated by a certified health care provider who can suggest the most appropriate action.

So, if you are in pain and you’ve made a conscious decision to help yourself get better, then…

Poor Posture and Back Pain

Posted in The Healthy Trucker by Brian · Leave a Comment 

When I Look at Myself in the Mirror, My Back and Shoulders Look Rounded.  Is That Just Bad Posture?

This question came to us from Sue, one of our subscribers…

Q: I don’t have back pain, but when I look at myself in the mirror, my back and shoulders look rounded. Is that just bad posture?

A: Well, Sue, let me help you understand what you’re seeing. First of all, I don’t think people really grasp what the term “posture” means. For instance, you’re seeing yourself as you are today, but your posture is the result of how you were years ago - maybe even decades.

What does that mean? Your posture, good or bad, is a result of your lifestyle. In other words, your habits, pattern, positions - the things you do every day.

Our bodies are very good at adapting to the environment we place it in. If we look back on our lives, most of us sat in school for 12 years, then maybe we went on to college and sat some more. If you happen to work at a computer, you sit even more. By the time you’re 40, your body has gotten used to sitting, and your muscles are most comfortable in the sitting position. But all that sitting can cause some physical changes that, in turn, can lead to postural dysfunctions. If left alone long enough, these postural dysfunctions will cause structural changes that will be, for the most part, uncorrectable.

One of our subscribers said it best: “Our bones only go where our muscles put them.” If you don’t quite understand that statement, keep reading.

I’ve already told you that our bodies adapt to what we give them and that our bodies can be pulled into abnormal positions based on a number of lifestyle factors. Understanding this concept is more than half the battle, because once you do, you can begin to work on preventing and correcting problems with your posture.

Your rounded back and shoulders are the result of what are called “muscle imbalances.” These imbalances are causing the physical dysfunction you see in the mirror. You are not alone. And you are not the first to have this problem. It has been known about for years - as well as what causes it. Just because your doctor didn’t tell you how to address it does not mean that it can’t be done.

Now for some nuts and bolts. If you’re wondering how your muscles are responsible for the posture you have now, you must understand that our muscles can be either tight or flexible, strong or weak. And they can be in any combination of these four states, from front to back and side to side.

If you look at your rounded back and rounded shoulders, you will see that your head and shoulders are being pulled forward, which would indicate that the muscles in the front of your body are overly strong and/or overly tight compared to the muscles in your upper back, which are weaker and more flexible. That is how I would describe the imbalance between your muscles, which is the root of the problem.

Please realize that your body is and has been undergoing these physical changes for a long time and that there is no quick fix. It is a physical problem that will require a physical solution. There is no pill, injection, or massage that can make your muscles come back into balance. It takes work.

Simply because you know that there is an imbalance and you even know the direction does not mean that you can just start doing a general exercise program. In order to correct a known imbalance you will need to know very specific and very targeted stretches and exercises. If you choose to do nothing, your imbalances will gradually develop into a condition that will cause you pain.

I strongly recommend that you take a proactive approach to your current situation. You are lucky that you do not have pain. It is such a shame that millions of people are suffering from conditions that could have been prevented or corrected years ago, if only they understood how muscle imbalances affect our bodies.

Sue, I hope I have shown you that your problem is something more than just bad posture. I suggest that you seek out a qualified expert in muscle imbalances who can prevent any further progression of your condition.

7 Steps to Eliminating Neck Pain

Posted in The Healthy Trucker by Brian · Leave a Comment 

By Dr. Robert Duvall

What is it?

What do we do on a daily basis? We wake up, sit down, have a cup of coffee and read the newspaper. We sit in our car and drive to work. We arrive at work and sit down to work. For the next several hours we place and answer phone calls, enter data, research information and communicate with the computer. After the long day, we get back in our car and drive home. We get home, sit down and have dinner, watch the television, and go to bed. Eight hours later, press repeat. The vicious cycle begins again! Fast forward ten years later;

• shoulder pain,
• neck pain,
• headaches,
• numbness & tingling in the hands,
• weakness in the arms & hands,
• slumped posture,
• rounded shoulders,
• forward head

How we look today is the result of years of… Are these signs and symptoms that you are experiencing. But why does this occur? How did this happen to me? How can I fix the problem? The basic premise here is that we become accustomed to our environment. Not too mention gravity is working against us.

Our body as a whole will adapt to the positions we place them in on a daily basis. The muscles in the front of our body become tight and the muscles of our upper back (around our shoulder blades) become stretched out and weak. This in turn weakens our neck muscles, and our head now drops forward.

The front neck muscles become weak and stretched out, and the back neck muscles become very tight. Remember our head attaches to our neck, and our neck attaches to our upper back and shoulders. There is constant communication among all of the parts and each part relies on the neighbor above and below it.

Where are you muscle?

Muscles function properly when they are in an optimal position. Meaning muscles do not work well when they are either stretched out or very tight. When this occurs, the muscles will pull on the bones abnormally and place added stress on the discs and joints in our neck, back, and shoulders. If this occurs for a long period of time, our joints become inflamed and the discs may bulge.

When the discs bulge in our spine, they now have tendency to irritate the nerves. The nerves that supply our shoulders, arms, and hands come from our neck. So, when we experience pain and discomfort in the shoulders, arms and/or hands, the problem may be in our neck or upper back area. The great news here is that simple changes to your daily routine will dramatically influence the aforementioned issues and hopefully prevent them from occurring in the first place!

The Upper back, Neck and Shoulders

The upper back, neck and shoulders as a whole is a very complex group of joint muscle and the motions that those joints go through are even more complex. Here is what people do not understand about way the neck and shoulders work and how to get relief from any ache or pain.

The curvature of the lower spine plays a vital roll in the position and function of the upper spine, so in order to get the upper back neck and shoulder to feel right and function properly you will need to address the entire spine top to bottom.

I know that sounds like a lot of work but knowing what is wrong and how to address the problem correctly is more than half the battle.

What to do about it

X-rays and MRIs can tell you what condition you have, but not why you have the condition. They cannot they tell you the strength or the flexibility of a muscle. They cannot tell you why your pelvis, spine neck and shoulders are the way they are, and they certainly cannot tell you how your muscles are out of balance.

The only way to identify your imbalances is to go through a physical assessment designed to look specifically for muscle imbalances and associated postural dysfunctions. Once you know your postural dysfunctions, it is very easy to work backwards, because each dysfunction has a certain set of imbalances - almost like a syndrome. That is, it repeats itself consistently and predictably at any age, regardless of gender and regardless of activity level.

The only way to correct your imbalances is with very targeted corrective stretches and exercises tailored to you and your condition. The good news is that even in the worst cases; our bodies are never that far out of alignment. But if you are in pain, those imbalances need to be addressed.

What not to do about it

I advise everyone not to start any exercise program without first knowing your imbalances. Here’s why: If you start exercising the wrong muscles, you could strengthen a muscle group that is already too strong and worsen the imbalance. You could even stretch a muscle that does not need to be stretched and make your condition worse.

You may think you’re doing yourself a favor by going to the gym and doing yoga or Pilates. You may also think that doing a balanced workout is going to keep you healthy. But that is not the case when your muscles are already out of balance.

Let’s not forget about non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Yes, you may need something to ease the pain but remember that drugs do nothing to help you treat the root cause of your condition not to mention they do nothing to help your body heal its self.

Immediate steps to take if you want relief or want to prevent your profession from killing you

• Stop working out until you know where your imbalances are. Doing a balanced workout is going to prolong your recovery and keep you in pain.
• Stop doing the sport or any physical activity that you enjoy doing - running, swimming, golfing, yoga, or Pilates until your know where your imbalances are.
• Seek professional help from someone who is trained in muscle imbalances and postural dysfunctions - and, no, not all health care professionals know about this approach.
• Address your neck pain from many different perspectives because everyone is different and not all outcomes are going to be the same; look for an approach that addresses your condition from a physical, mental, and nutritional perspective.
• Look for natural alternatives to your NSAIDs.
• Keep an open mind about techniques you may not have heard of before, such as Muscle Balancing Therapy™
• Do your homework. Learn about what works and what does not. When is spinal decompression appropriate for the neck? When will spinal manipulations give you the biggest benefit?

Getting started

Truth is, your body can perform the grinding work of you job and everyday stress of your life but and you do not have to live and work in constant pain. But you cannot expect to get results if you do not take one, some or all of the corrective steps I have outlined.

If you have neck pain and have been through the ringer, I know what you’re going to say, “I’ve tried everything… But will it work for me?…My case is different… I don’t have the time… How can something so simple address such a complex issue?”

It’s simple… restoring balance to your body is a universally excepted principle to achieving optimal health. That is what we teach our clients and that is what we show our clients.

The muscle balancing therapy™ is not a workout that you have to do every day but a process of improving the rest of your life. You don’t need to set time aside to bring your body back to balance but rather using moments in time to make corrections and when you know what to do it is simple and fast.

7 Back Pain Mistakes which ones are Keeping You in Pain

Posted in The Healthy Trucker by Brian · Leave a Comment 

By Jesse Cannone, Creator of the International Best-Seller “Lose the Back Pain“

In working with tens of thousands of clients over the years, we here at the Healthy Back Institute have found that there are a number of common mistakes people make in trying to find relief from back pain.

I would like you to read all about 7 mistakes that I have identified and consider which of these mistakes you are making and how they relate to you and the way you have been treating your back pain.

Here are the top seven:

Mistake #1: Continuing to do what doesn’t work
Why would anyone keep going to a health care professional for months and months without seeing any improvement? Beats me. But before coming to us, one of our clients actually went through 70 treatments with a chiropractor - and got no relief at all.

Our advisory panel suggests that you don’t go beyond a three-month period without improvement before considering making a change. It’s not the number of treatments as much as it is the need to be seeing steady gains.

At the very least, you should insist on getting a monthly evaluation of your progress. You need to be clear that there is a plan of care, and that a proper diagnosis has been made.

Mistake #2: Not dealing with pain the first time
Many people will experience back pain that lasts a few days and then they forget about it when the pain disappears, rather than making the effort to identify and address the cause of the pain.

Here’s an example. About 10 years ago, my mother had her first bout of back pain. She had back spasms for a few days, then the pain went away and she went on with her life. Two years later, it came back - much worse than before. It got so bad she couldn’t work. If she had dealt with it in the beginning, I doubt that it would have come back. Even if it had, it wouldn’t have been nearly as bad.

When you have a fall or some other accident, it’s easy to figure out why your back hurts. But in most cases, your back pain could be caused by any number of things. You need to know what conditions are developing in your body and more important what is causing those conditions are developing in the first place.

Mistake #3: Thinking you’re too fit to have back pain
You may eat right, exercise regularly, and be in good health, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience back pain. Having been a personal trainer for many years, I’ve seen lots of people in excellent shape who suddenly found themselves with lower back trouble.

The reality is that people who exercise frequently are just as likely - if not more so - to develop back pain. Certain groups of athletes - runners, cyclists, swimmers, dancers, gymnasts, bodybuilders - are prime candidates for back problems.

Cyclists, for example, almost without exception have serious muscle imbalances in the lower body - primarily their quads, hamstrings, hip flexors, and glutes. This is because the constant repetitive motion of peddling a bicycle overworks one set of muscles while underworking other muscles.

The same thing can happen to non-athletes. Even if you don’t do any of the above-mentioned activities, your workout program can create muscle imbalances if you’re concentrating too heavily on certain areas of your body and neglecting others. Fit or not you will be in trouble.

Mistake #4: Treating only the symptoms
The majority of the treatments people receive for back pain - cortisone shots, anti-inflammatory drugs, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and the like - address only the symptoms. You must understand that pain is merely a signal that something is wrong. Even if you get rid of the pain, the problem is still going to be there.

Here’s an illustration: Suppose the oil light comes on in your car. You could put a piece of duct tape over the light - which would eliminate the aggravation. But it’s not going to solve the problem. Your engine is still going to need attention. And its only a matter of time before it will shut down unless you do something. It’s the same with pain.

You’re hurting because your body is going through abnormal changes and those changes are causing abnormal postural condition and those abnormal postural condition are causing your muscles, joints and ligament to function under increased stress and strain and they will eventually fail causing a condition to be very painful, like a herniated disc.

Mistake #5: Not understanding that back pain is a process
Most of the time, back pain and sciatica take weeks, months, or even years to develop. But you’re not aware that there’s a problem until something starts to hurt. Rarely is back pain the result of a one-time incident. Barring an injury, it just doesn’t happen overnight.

Consider this story from my partner, Steve Hefferon.

When his child was learning to walk, he put up a baby gate at the foot of the stairs. Being lazy, Steve would lift his leg over the gate rather than opening it and walking through. He did this more than 30 times a day. One afternoon, he was cutting the grass and felt a radiating pain in his butt. The next time he cut the grass, the same thing happened. He eventually figured out that the awkward movement of stepping over the gate time after time had created a muscle imbalance. Driving to work, sitting at a desk, or performing some other seemingly routine activity can do the same thing.

By now you’re probably wondering: What exactly is a muscle imbalance?

Try this analogy: You’re driving your car down the road and your front end is out of alignment. This is going to cause your tires to wear unevenly. This can also happen to your muscles.

To take this a bit further, let’s do something we call the Glute Squeeze Test (Do not attempt this if you’ve had a total hip replacement).

Stand up and put your heels together, with your toes pointing out - like a duck (at least at a 90 degree angle). Now, clench your butt muscles. Reach back and feel how tight they are. Relax. Next, turn your toes inward as far as you can. Now, with your toes touching, try to tighten your butt muscles. You can’t tighten them nearly as much, can you?

The reason is that your muscles are in an unfamiliar position - they’re simply not used to working this way, so they’re not as strong. This should give you some idea of what a muscle imbalance is like.

If you correct the imbalance, the condition that’s causing the pain will go away. The good news is that it’s easy to find out where these muscle imbalances and postural dysfunctions are on your own body. In 30 minutes or less if you know what to look for.

Once you know where these imbalances are, you can work toward correcting them by doing a combination of targeted exercises, stretches, and self treatments specifically designed for your condition. Another important thing to keep in mind: X-rays, MRIs, and CT (cat) scans do not reveal muscle imbalances or postural imbalance…

Mistake #6: The “I’ve Tried Everything” Syndrome
You tell yourself that there’s nothing out there that you don’t know about, that surgery is the only option left, or - even worse - that you’ll just have to learn to live with the pain.

I can almost guarantee you that you haven’t tried a head-to-toe assessment, which is absolutely essential for identifying your muscle imbalances. I’d be willing to bet that your doctor, chiropractor, or physical therapist hasn’t done them.

I’ve worked with a lot of chiropractors, so I have a pretty good idea how most of them operate. Maybe 10 to 15 percent of them will do a head-to-toe assessment. The rest do a single manipulation - and nothing else. This will probably work for a while. But then you’re going to find yourself having to go back three to four times a week - until the insurance runs out.

Mistake #7: Not taking control
No one knows your body as well as you do, and nobody cares about your health as much as you do. Even if you’re working with a great professional, you still need to educate yourself.

Unfortunately, most people don’t know much about how their own body works, let alone what actually causes back pain and how to get rid of it. Patients who are knowledgeable get better and faster results. Make the decision to be active in your own rehab.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. If what you’re doing isn’t working…STOP!
Whatever treatment you’re trying, you must see steady improvement. Otherwise, you need to make a change.

2. Deal with the problem NOW
Waiting will only make things worse.

3. Recognize that fit people have muscle imbalances, too
Athletes, in fact, may actually be at greater risk.

4. Treat the symptoms AND the cause
Getting rid of pain is not the way to long term relief.

5. Remember, it’s a process
Your condition didn’t happen overnight, and it’s not going to go away overnight.

6. Be open-minded and positive
If you try something new and believe it will work, then it just might. Negative thoughts guarantee failure.

7. Take control and take action
Don’t go to a doctor and sit there with your mouth shut. If they throw a word at you that you don’t understand - ask what it means.

In the end, the power is in your hands.

The Top Forums For Truckers

Posted in Resources by Brian · Leave a Comment 

Sometimes you have a question that you can’t find an answer to.  Other times you just have to vent and your family is a great place to do that.  Sometimes, however, you would like to have anonymity to do so and forums for truckers are the perfect place to go.

Forums provide a place to connect with other truck drivers, make new friends, or keep in contact with loved ones. Another benefit of forums is that they are the perfect springboard when you have questions about trucking-related topics.

You will have to register at each forum you’re interested in joining.  While you do have to provide a valid email address when you register, you do not have to use your real name.  You can give as much or as little personal information.  You can even use a nickname to protect your identity if you feel that is necessary.

If you’re new to trucking, and you’re one of the younger drivers, you may be familiar with social networking through places like MySpace or YouTube.  Did you know there’s a forum for truck drivers called MyTruckingSpace?  Go here to find a Newbie Trucker thread as well as threads for Student Truckers, Best Trucking Companies to Work For, and Family and Relationships.  It also gives you a place to discuss issues on the minds of truck drivers.

“The Trucker’s Report” offers forum opportunities to discuss Your Favorite Trucking Company as well as a place to Report A BAD Trucking Company.  They also have a thread dealing with trucking unions in case you’re interested in that topic.  Are you curious about being an Owner Operator, this is the place to ask any questions you might have.  Discuss problems you may be having with your truck, driver’s health, and spiritual journeys.  There are so many areas you can explore, be prepared to spend some time here!

Layover.com’s Trucking Community Center has both a forum and a message board.  Their threads include a “Layover’s Lounge” where you can talk about anything your heart desires, there’s a personals section, and one specifically set aside for women truck drivers.  If you’re interested in topics besides truck driving, you can find a thread for politics as well as one for NASCAR.

Some forums for truckers also have chat rooms programmed for their members.  This gives you the opportunity to have a real-time conversation with those people who understand where you’re coming from – other truck drivers.  You can also use the chat rooms as a means to communicate with your loved ones if you schedule a time that both of you will be in the room.

Healthy Trucking Info is a forum that is more focused on health issues of concern to truck drivers and their families.  They discuss almost anything to do with being healthy while you’re on the road.  They also provide recipes that your family can enjoy at home so your family can be healthy, too.

There are so many forums for truckers on the internet.  Some are focused on one aspect of trucking but most will talk about a myriad of topics.  These forums are great places to connect with those with similar interests and learn something new about the trucking industry.  You may even find new jobs while you’re there.

How To Become An Over-The-Road Trucker

Posted in Resources by Brian · Leave a Comment 

Truck driving is a vital industry.  In fact, if the trucking industry screeched to a halt, so would the economy of the United States.  Not as many people want to know how to become an over-the-road truck driver, but you may want to consider it.

The quickest way to become an over-the-road driver is to finish high school.  If you’ve already quit school, a GED is required; however, many trucking companies will only hire drivers with a high school diploma.

Keep your driving record clean.  If you have too many speeding tickets or problems with driving under the influence, you may have problems becoming a truck driver.  Check with your state to find out what their requirements are.

Learn to drive a truck by going to a truck driving school.  A truck weighs in at over 26,000 pounds.  You may also have to transport hazardous materials, so learning to drive a big rig isn’t the same as learning to drive a car.  There should be a licensed truck driver who will help you learn the truck driving ropes and help prepare you for your driving test.

After you’ve graduated from driving school, you’ll be able to apply for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).  There is a written as well as a driving test, so your best effort is needed.

Passing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) exam is also necessary.  This is the written test given by the United States Department of Transportation, after which time they’ll send you for a complete physical which will include a vision and hearing test.  If you don’t pass any of these tests, you will have to retake them in the future.  Every two years you will be required to take another physical exam in order to keep your FMCSR qualifications active.

Don’t be surprised if you’re asked to take drug tests periodically, particularly if you become employed by a trucking company.  Drugs, alcohol, and moving violations tickets are not helpful if you plan to keep driving.  It would be best to stay away from these things altogether.

Truck driving is often a lonely job.  You’re on the road for days to weeks at a time, so being able to handle alone time is important.  If you prefer to be around people and are very social, truck driving may not be the field for you.  This is something only you will be able to decide.

You can learn how to become an over-the-road truck driver if that is your desire.  Check with your state’s Department of Transportation to see if they have any unusual requirements for receiving your license.  Go to school, stay out of trouble on the road, and you could be on the way to a successful career in the trucking industry.

Next Page »

• Polls

  Do you think the speed limit should be changed to 55 MPH?

  • Yes
  • No

  View Results

   Loading ...

• Recent Articles

  • The Taxman Cometh
  • Trim the Trucking Expense Fat
  • What to do While Stuck in Traffic
  • What’s a Trucker to Do for Retirement?
  • Biodiesel: All It’s Cracked Up to Be?
  • GPS and Other Routing Software
  • Help for Truck Drivers with Sleep Apnea
  • No Rest for the Sick DRIVER
  • On-Board Safety
  • Start Planning Mother’s Day for Women Truckers Now

• Categories

  • Money Saving Tips
  • Resources
  • Secrets To Fuel Savings
  • The Healthy Trucker
  • Trucker Lifestyle
  • Women Truckers

• Archives

  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008

• Links

  • The Truckers Edge