Driving while Maintaining a Good Posture
Spending long hours in the car can have a major affect on your back.
Being behind the wheel for a long period of time can lead to poor
posture and back pain. If you find that even your morning commute is
painful, it's time to make some adjustments!
When a vehicle is in motion, the body is subject to
forces that the body isn't used to while sitting or standing. Some of
these forces include accelerations and decelerations, lateral swaying
from side to side, and whole-body up and down vibrations. Because feet
are tied up maneuvering the brake pedal and accelerator, they aren't
able to support and stabilize the lower body, which can increase the
chance of back problems for some people.
When you drive, your knees should be level with your hips. For
more comfort, you can use a rolled-up towel, jacket or commercial back
support in the seat behind you. Because reaching towards the wheel
increases the pressure on the lumbar spine, it puts significant stress
on your neck, shoulders and wrist. To compensate, you should sit as
close to the steering wheel as possible; as long as you still feel
safe.
Here are five guidelines that will help you protect
your back when you are driving:
- Car seat comfort: The seat should be
adjusted to make your body as comfortable as possible. If you find your
seat uncomfortable, you will more than likely have significant back
discomfort if you drive for any length of time. Before you start your
car, bounce up and down a bit in the seat to see how it accommodates
vibration. When you take a new car on a test drive, it is equally
important to test comfort as it is to test the way the car handles.
- Car seat adjustments: When looking into
purchasing a new car, be sure to choose one that has adjustable seat
features. At a minimum, you should be able to adjust:
- Seat distance: To accommodate different leg
lengths.
- Seat height: To accommodate different leg
lengths.
- Backrest angle: To sit in either an upright or
more reclined position.
After looking for the above features, you should look for other
useful adjustments:
- Seat tilt: Make sure that the front of the seat
can angle up or down to keep from pressing against the back of your
knees.
- Lumbar cushion: This will support the lower back.
Find a seat with good low back support that can be adjusted for depth
and height.
- Headrest: Offers neck support.
- Arm rests: Make sure they are wide, cushioned,
comfortable, and can be adjusted.
- Change your posture: Remember to change
your posture from time to time (driving conditions permitting). Moving
around will help prevent fatigue.
- Take breaks: Another way to avoid fatigue
and to minimize discomfort is to get out and move around from time to
time during long trips.
- Seat accessories: There are a variety of
different seat accessories on the market that can improve overall
comfort. From fleece covers to soften the seat behind your to beaded
backrests that provides a massage while you drive, pick an accessory
that maximizes comfort!
Sources: Spine-Health.com and SpineUniverse
