Driving can be hard on the joints and exacerbate arthritis symptoms.

Wouldn't it be great to have a personal chauffeur, or to live in a place with perfect public transit? It would certainly solve problems for a lot of people - for individuals with arthritis pain in particular. Driving can be hard on the joints and exacerbate arthritis symptoms, but unfortunately, it's something most of us have to do nearly every day. Painful arthritis symptoms can change the way you drive and your ability to do it, so it's important to talk to your doctor if you are noticing any difficulty. If it's still safe for you to drive and there aren't any viable alternatives, consider these tips to make driving with arthritis less painful :

Make small alterations to your vehicle

Some driving pain may be caused by the structure of your vehicle. There are a few changes you can make to mitigate that. You can add running boards to your car or truck, if you don't have them already, to split the big step in and out of the vehicle. You can also add beaded or vinyl seat covers or cushions to help you slide into your seat. You can even talk to your car dealer or mechanic about getting a fob that will unlock and start your car if you have issues turning keys.

Change the way you take trips

Evaluate your commute, the way you do your errands, and the kind of driving you do over long distances. Generally, the longer you're in the car, the more pain may settle into your joints, and with good reason - not being able to move around often provokes arthritis pain. Consider breaking up your usual shopping day over a few afternoons so you're not in the car for too long at any one time. If your work commute is very long, consider leaving a little earlier and pulling over in a park or other public space halfway through it to get out and walk around. And if you still want to take road trips, stop and get out of the car for a few minutes every hour – or more if needed. It will take a little longer to get where you’re going, but you’ll see more of the sights – which could be a welcome improvement in itself.

For more on daily life with arthritis:

Traveling With Arthritis
More Tips for Traveling with Arthritis
4 Safety Tips for Driving with Arthritis
5 Ways to Live the Best Life Despite Arthritis