Tips To Avoid Back Pain When Driving

💡Did you know that around 30-60% of drivers report having back pain that is related to or made worse by driving!💡

For a lot of us driving is a key part of the day, but unfortunately brings with it back pain and discomfort. Here are some top tips you can try to improve your comfort whilst driving:

1. Know your limits

   If you often find that your back pain is aggravated after a certain length of time in the car, then stop driving shortly before this to stretch and move around. When driving we use our feet on the pedals instead of using them to support our body weight like we usually would when sitting, this awkward position commonly aggravates or causes back pain for drivers so it’s important to break it up with some gentle stretches.

2. Take regular breaks

   As well as timing breaks to preempt the onset of back pain, taking regular breaks is a great way to stop the other aches and pains. Include a few short stops in your journey where you can get out of the car, stretch and move around. These breaks don’t have to be long and shouldn’t increase your journey time by much. During car journeys, our bodies are exposed to acceleration and deceleration forces as well as vibrations, all of which can result in tension and discomfort.

3. Take care when getting in and out of your car

   Depending on the model of your car you may struggle to get in and out of the seat comfortably. We recommend that you avoid twisting and instead turn your legs and torso in unison to face in and out of the car.

4. Watch out when loading or unloading items from the car

   Driving back from a holiday? Or a big shop? Take care when loading or taking things out of your car. Try and take smaller loads, carry them close to your body and use your legs to generate power without straining your back. It’s also sensible to use the boot of your car to store things so that you can avoid the twisting required to get things in and out of your passenger seats.

5. Are you sitting comfortably?

   Before you set off on any journey make sure that you have adjusted the angle, height and distance of your seat from the steering wheel of your car. Using a cushion or rolled-up towel to support the lower curve of your back can help many drivers. Ideally, your bottom and shoulder blades should remain in contact with the back of your chair whilst you are driving. As well as the lower back, many drivers suffer from neck pain due to a poor driving position. Adjust the height of your seat (and mirrors if necessary) so that you can comfortably see as much as possible without having to strain your neck. It’s important to test out your set-up properly before setting off on a long journey so that you are confident you can drive safely with any changes you make.