Whether you drive for a living, love a good road trip or simply hop in your car every now and again to run errands, most of us utilise a car for some reason or other and a lot of people experience pain or discomfort when driving. Below are some top tips to prevent and ease your pain when driving:

Back support

If you’re experiencing pain in your back when driving something as simple as a rolled-up towel or scarf positioned between your back and your seat in the car can provide a lot of support and alleviate pain. However, depending on your discomfort levels you may need to invest in a support structure or cushion specifically designed for this purpose.

Keep your pockets empty

It’s something you may not have really thought about, but having bulky items in your pockets when sitting down, especially for long periods of time, can cause your spine to become misaligned.

Stretch your back

Ensure that you make periodic stops during your journeys and increase your number of stops accordingly with the length of time you are driving. You should be aiming to stop every half an hour or so or else taking a 15-minute break for every 2 hours of driving that you do. Sitting in one position for too long without standing or much movement will cause your back to become stiff, sore or restricted.

Cruise control

If your car is capable of cruise control, utilise it when it’s safe to do so. This gives you the opportunity to place both of your feet evenly on the floor of your car for short periods of time which distributes your weight more evenly and relieves pressure.

Adjust your grip

Whilst drivers have previously been advised to hold their steering wheel at the 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock position, it has now been discovered that the best position to prevent back and shoulder pain is in actual fact 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock. This position will also allow you to rest your elbows on the armrests which will alleviate pressure on your upper back area.

Angle your seat

For maximum support, the back of your seat generally should be angled at around 100 or 110 degrees, but this may vary between individuals.

 

At BodyViva we’re committed to helping our clients live an enjoyable life free of pain and discomfort. If you’re experiencing intense or long term pain whilst driving then these tips may not be enough to resolve your problem. Book an appointment today with one of our expert therapists and we can help you to get your freedom back.