Back and neck pain risk of poor seating position
MILLIONS of motorists are putting themselves at risk of neck and back pain because of an incorrect driving position, according to Citroen and the British Chiropractic Association (BCA).
Recent research by BCA has shown that more than 5.5 million UK motorists could be suffering from driving-related pain. In a survey of 2,066 UK adults, an astonishing 80 per cent said that they were suffering from back and neck issues, with 13 per cent of those people believing driving was the trigger.
BCA says that the body is not designed to be in a sitting position for too long, and a poor seat set-up can result in tension within drivers’ muscles, with blood flow restricted in some cases.
To help fight off potential issues, the companies have come together to outline ways in which motorists can keep problems at bay. The first piece of advice is to set the seat back so it’s slightly reclined, and position mirrors so that you can see out of them without needing to move very far.
They also recommend pushing your back against the backrest so that your spine rests on the in-built lumbar support, and adjust the steering wheel so that your hands can rest on it with only a slight bend – stretching out in front of you is bad.
Wearing soft-soled shoes is also recommended, as high heels and thick soles can limit the movement of the legs and cause discomfort. And finally, taking regular breaks on long trips helps give your body a rest from sitting for too long.
Tim Button, BCA chiropractor and ergonomic consultant, said: ‘Many of my patients have complained of neck or back pain when driving, particularly on long journeys, so it’s important that people are aware of the best ways to protect their back health while in their car.’
