The commute to work, working at a desk, watching television… spending much of your time sitting down is normal for most of us these days. Those suffering the most include people with a long haul commute to work and professional drivers as they are confined to a small space and as a result often suffer from neck and back pain.
Poor posture whilst driving includes a poked neck or rounded shoulders, upper back or lower back. Sound familiar?
Avoid slouching
- Slouching means that your weight is loaded on the seat via your tail bone which stresses the back ligaments and discs. Further, slouching results in a reduction in your range of motion and ability to rotate your head which means you will experience reduced visibility when driving.
Adjust your steering wheel height
- Your elbows should hang low and close to your body with your hands at the positions ten o’clock and two o’clock on the steering wheel.
Seat adjustment
- If your seat is too low, it will cause a rounded lower back and result in a hunched position. Ensure that your seat height is kept high whilst maintaining complete vision of the road and your feet can comfortably reach the foot pedals.
Adjust your mirrors
- Ensure your side and rear view mirrors are set so you have a full 180 degree view. Setting your mirrors will help you to maintain a good driving posture as if you begin to slouch you will visually be reminded of this.
Remove items from your back pockets
- Driving with items in your back pocket, such as your wallet, can twist your pelvis and put a strain on your back.
About the author
Hughes