Is driving uncomfortable for you?

Why can you sit okay, but driving hurts so much? As soon as the vehicle starts moving, forces on the body change. Accelerations, decelerations, swaying from side to side, up and down body vibrations all combine to discomfort. Screeching to a halt when the car ahead stops for no reason mimics whiplash.

A stick shift with constant pressure on the clutch, brakes, and accelerator is especially hard on the feet and legs. Just driving an automatic shift car, with pressure on brakes and accelerator keep the feet busy so they cannot rest, thus they are not supporting and stabilizing the lower body as they do when you're sitting. All this contributes to back pain.

Low-term driving vibration is among the highest risk factors for neck and back injuries and pain. Driving time, speed, and length of drive all increase the risk factor and were significant for men who drove 4 hours or more each day.

What you can do?

Stretching

On any trip, don't go directly to sit in a restaurant and back to the car without stretching or going for a walk.
Sheepskin covers can provide super comfort and more cushion for the trip.
You can buy many kinds of seat cushions for comfort.
Beaded covers are said to massage the back as you drive.
Keep your pelvis higher than your knees for the optimal comfort position.
Keep your knees and thighs at the same level.
Maintain the natural curves of your back during all activities.
Use proper lifting techniques and body mechanics.

When we were teenagers, it was a necessary part of life and the hotter cars we had, the better. Now those hot cars jiggle and vibrate our bodies to the point that our backs are screaming in pain.

Are you ever guilty of rushing, thinking the sooner you reach your destination, the sooner you'll get out of the car? Ever do that? When we rush, our bodies tense up, and this makes every pebble feel like a boulder. We are inflicting unnecessary stress on our bodies, which of course hurt more.

We have to change our driving habits.

Articles - Tips & Prevention

	Is there an ideal car seat design? Can you adjust the seat to accommodate different leg lengths? To judge leg room, with your hands evenly placed on the steering wheel, you should be able to see equal amounts of both legs b...
	Is driving uncomfortable for you? Why can you sit okay, but driving hurts so much? As soon as the vehicle starts moving, forces on the body change. Accelerations, decelerations, swaying from side to side, up and down body vibr...
	Exercises on gym ball Fitness / Gym Balls have been used for many years in physical therapy and for good reason. Just sitting on the ball places the spine in neutral alignment (why they're often used as desk ch...
	Sports injuries Most athletes perform some type of regular warm-up and cool down during training and raicing. Also if we are not athletes, but we are doing some work out and exercising, we should follow these...
	Exercises during daily duties At the sink. Do some pelvic rocks and tilts while standing at the toilet sink, kitchen sink or workshop. Tiptoe stretch – raise yourself up on tiptoes lifting the crown of the head tow...
	Healthy nutrition Your diet is your body’s only source for a variety of essential nutrients that give you energy and perform many other critical functions. General dietary guidelines in...
	Immune system There are a variety of different cells in the immune army. Each cell has a different job in the battle: some identify the enemy, some render the enemy weak with clever chemical weapons, some a...
	Foot problems Some of the most common foot problems: 1. Ankle pain – strains and sprains Ankle sprains are very common and can occur when the foot is forced in an unnatural position. Usually i...
	Lack of energy Lack of energy can be a consequence of wrong nutrition, bad physical condition, stress, bad mood or even weather. Researches show that two third of women are feeling excessively tired. Mai...
	Exercises for people with back pain AQUAEROBICS: can be great fun and a good way to exercise your body with the support of the water for all generations. HYDROTHERAPY: i.e. exercising in warm water. Some spa centres run hydr...
	Tips for proper seating Moreover, the natural tendency for most people is to slouch over or slouch down in the chair, and this posture can overstretch the spinal ligaments and strain the discs and surrounding structu...
	Quit smoking In recent years, researchers have uncovered a surprising connection between smoking and back pain. In study after study, smokers seem to be more likely than non-smokers to suffer sore backs. T...
	Cold and hot therapy Heat and ice are the two most common types of passive, non-invasive, and non-addictive therapies. Heat or cold therapy works by stimulating your body's own healing force. Many doctors reco...
	How to protect your joints? You don't need to be old for joint protection to be relevant to you. Many people suffer from aches and pains in joints, bones and muscles and they can often feel worse in cold or damp weat...
	Give your loved one a massage for Valentine’s Day Winter days require certain payment from your skin and they are causing big skin catastrophe. Sudden temperature differences, cold and wind are leaving skin marks and injuries. That’s wh...
	You Are What You Eat We all have up to 100 trillion cells in our bodies, each one demanding a constant supply of daily nutrients in order to function optimally. Food affects all of these cel...
	To Rest or Not to Rest There’s no virtue in prolonging bed rest beyond two or three days. Evidence shows that getting moving as early as your pain allow...
	On the move - Every day exercises At the sink. Do some pelvic rocks and tilts while standing at the toilet sink, kitchen sink or workshop. Tiptoe stretch – raise yourself up on tiptoes lifting the crown of the he...