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Prevent Back Pain When Driving

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back pain drivingLong car journeys can play havoc with your back, especially when you suffer from chronic pain.

The American Chiropractic Association has made some suggestions on how to relieve back pain while driving your car:

  • Adjust your seat so that you are comfortably sitting close to the wheel, with your knees slightly higher than your hips.
  • Use a Lumber Support Cushion or the BackFriend on your car seat.
  • Take regular breaks to stretch and rest
  • Stretch your shoulders, legs and toes regularly as you drive.
  • Keep hands on the steering wheel at the 3:00 and 7:00 positions, occasionally alternating to the 10:00 and 2:00 positions. (3 and 7? Really? They’re not even symmetrical!)
  • Have a relaxed grip on the steering wheel, and occasionally tighten, then loosen your grip to vary your muscle movement.

When I first passed my driving test, I was such a nervous driver, I would have my shoulders up near my ears the whole time before I realized, and my back and neck were in constant pain. When I made a conscious effort to relax my shoulders, everything else relaxed too and I was in a lot less pain. And I think, a better driver as a result!