Do you feel pain in your lower back or neck after sitting in a car

Do you feel pain in your lower back or neck and shoulders after sitting in a car or a bus for an hour or two? Many patients, who started to have pain after driving or sitting many years ago. Unfortunately, they did not seek help straight away and the problem got worse.

Well, we would like you to drive without back pain. However your lifestyle may require you to spend lots of time in a car or on the tube or bus. Lets see what can be done to get you to feel better. Your back is curved on purpose. This helps dampen the impact of walking, standing and sitting and all the joints in your spine are formed to allow for this gentle forward and backward curve.

1. If your habit is to sit slouching, this over stretches and weakens the back, making it prone to injury and unstable. So, tuck your bum deep into the chair or the seat to stop slouching - this will support your back and make you more comfortable.

2. When you are in a car and your seat is very upright, this flattens your back and keeps it under pressure throughout your journey. Advice is to drive in a more "laid back" style, with your backrest reclined and your back resting onto it.

3. If you have a "low back support" built into your seats, make sure it is activated. It creates a supportive bump in the lower part of your backrest to support a natural curve of your low back. If your car doesn't have this support, you have to use a foam roll or a small pillow, to support your low back, preserving the natural curve.

4. The steering wheel should not be too high. Advise you to keep it in its lowest position, to let you rest your arms on your lap while holding the steering wheel when driving on the straight. When turning - it will also save your shoulders from shrugging reaching for a high positioned wheel.

5. Move your seat slightly back so you can comfortably reach the pedals and the steering wheel, without creating tension in your back or shoulders.

6. When getting a new car - get yourself an automatic gear change. The "myth" of more control and response from a manual gearbox is only a myth, unless you are on the race track, so give yourself a break and concentrate on the road instead of jerking the gears all the time. We found that most of our patients managed to find a more comfortable position in their car using these simple rules above, despite the age and the make of the car.

7. Don't forget to re-adjust your mirrors after you have changed the position of your seat and to drive safely and relaxed. When you feel more comfortable, your improved awareness will be better at saving you from any dangers on the road.

If you are a back or neck pain sufferer, remember, the optimal functioning of the spine is necessary for your overall good health.