According to 2018 research from the British Chiropractic Association (BCA), two thirds of people in the UK suffer from back or neck pain each month.
The BCA also suggests that long car journeys aggravate the problem and that drivers can do much more to help themselves when sitting inside their car.
So, with this in mind, here are a few tips from BCA to help take the pain out of driving.
Sit correctly. Push your bottom against the back of the seat and have your shoulder blades touching the back rest. The seat should feel natural, so set it slightly backwards, allowing your elbows to be at a relaxed angle for driving.
Feet should rest naturally on the pedals. Your ankles should be doing most of the work when you press the pedals, only using your legs a little. Make sure you wear suitable shoes, so avoid high heels and those with thick soles.
Mirrors. Make sure your mirror positions are correct before you set off. This can be especially important if you share your car with other drivers. You should be able to see all around the car with minimal head movement.
Stay relaxed. Sitting in a rigid position will cause stress on the spine, so try to allow the seat to take your weight and sit in a comfortable and relaxed posture.
If you do a lot of driving and regularly suffer from back pain, here are a few more tips on seat adjustments, posture and useful exercises.
