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If you have back pain in the first place, these pains may get worse with driving. Driving for long times may cause you to feel lower back pain. Many health experts assert that sitting in a car seat is harder and harsher on the body than sitting on the couch.
When you sit in a car seat for long periods, this will cause your muscles to stiffen. In addition, you are usually very attentive to the road and traffic around you, which can increase muscle tension in your body. And all this in the absence of the support you need for your lumbar back vertebrae (back of the back).
However, it is possible to reduce back pain while driving. There are a number of small adjustments you can make, and tools that you can use to avoid back pain while driving your car.
Why do I feel back pain while driving a car?
When driving, especially for long periods of time, you can feel severe pain in your back and especially in the lower back. Constant sitting positions in a car seat can cause pain to your back muscles. If you are in poor posture or swerve forward when driving, the pressure of this position can make the pain worse.
In addition to its physical effects, driving can be mentally stressful. This can cause increased tension in the muscles of the shoulders, neck and back. This increases your back pain.
Various tips to reduce back pain while driving a car
Whether you’re a long-distance truck driver, even traveling in your own car for long periods, or riding all day. We will give you some tips to help you reduce the back pain you feel as a result of sitting in the car.
Use of a support cushion for the back from the bottom
You can use a pillow to support your lower back to relieve back pain while driving a car. Support cushions provide lumbar comfort. This helps to relieve some of the pressure on your spine, thus avoiding some annoying conditions such as osteoporosis, stiffness and pain in the lower back, especially in the elderly.
The lumbar support cushion fills the space between the lower back and the car seat. This helps you maintain good posture while driving. In addition, it significantly reduces low back pain. So, if you drive for long periods and do not have a supportive pillow for your lower back, wrap a towel and place it on your lower back.
Adjust your seat
Resetting your seat can help you find a more supportive angle for your back. This includes moving the seat back and forth, moving it up and down, and adjusting the angle of reclining of the seat.
To support your back, position your seat so that your spine is straight. You can keep your spine straight even if you lean slightly back. Sit with your weight evenly distributed on both sides of your body, with your thighs on the entire seat. Your knees should be slightly lower than the thighs.
Try not to sit too far behind to the point where you overstretch your arms until you reach the steering wheel. Therefore, it is best to maintain a slight curvature at the elbows. It also doesn’t make your seat too high, which can cause you to bend over while driving.
The size of your car can also have an impact on the capabilities of seat adjustment. Very small cars that barely fit your height may have very little headroom. Which makes it difficult for you to sit up straight. Therefore, if you are planning long trips, it is best for you to avoid riding in small-sized cars.
Adjust your steering wheel
Adjusting the height of your steering wheel can help ease the process of putting pressure on your neck and back. Pull the steering wheel towards you, so your arms don’t stretch forward. This will reduce the pressure on the muscles of the neck, shoulders and upper back.
On long trips, try to hold the steering wheel from the sides (right and left), rather than grabbing it from the top and bottom. This position makes the driver feel more comfortable and reduces pressure on the arm and back. Especially if they are unable to comfortably rest their arms and elbows during the driving process.
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