According to 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.
Adjust your feet
Your 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.
Also, think about when you can safely use cruise control. Working the pedals in a car means your weight isn't distributed as evenly as usual. Using cruise control when it's safe gives you the opportunity to rest both feet together and take some pressure away from your lower back.
Remember, don't use cruise control on roads that have lots of bends and turns, in stop-start traffic, or if the weather or road conditions are poor. The car doesn't do the driving for you, so keep your concentration levels high and be ready to take action.
Check your 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.
Take rests and stretch
If your job involves sitting at a desk you'll know that you should stand up and stretch your legs at regular intervals. Well, the same goes for driving. Being stuck in a restricted seated position for prolonged periods of time is not good for your body, so make sure you take regular breaks to rest, stretch and walk around. It can help to get rid of any small aches that have started, and aid in preventing others from beginning.
