Your Car

driving-can-cause-body-painIn most places, driving will be hard to avoid. Most people need to get to work and run errands, using a car makes these things much easier. If you are a person that drives frequently and/or long distances, then there is a good chance that you have pain associated with driving.

Driving pain usually manifests itself as pain in the neck, shoulders, and back. These tend to be the result of poor posture and body position while in the car. When most people drive, they usually assume one of two positions. One is a position where they are leaning toward the wheel in a sort of slouched position, and the other is one where the seat is leaned too far back.

When you drive with the wrong body mechanics, it can cause pain in the lower back, shoulders, and neck, and it can also lead to headaches. For some people, it can be difficult to get used to driving with their body in the proper position, but it is important to train yourself to sit in the right way when driving.

The first step toward addressing this issue is to make sure that your seat is properly adjusted for your body size. You want your backrest to be slightly further back than 90°. If your seat is height adjustable, you want to set it to where your upper legs are basically straight with your knees, just slightly higher than your hips. When you slide the seat forward and back, you want to sit with your back against the backrest. You also want to move the seat to a position so that your arms are slightly bent when they are on the wheel.

When you are driving, you may feel the urge to slide forward and slouch toward the wheel or to slide down in your seat. However, it is best for your body to fight these urges and try to keep yourself upright in the chair, with your back against the backrest.