Driving Posture to Avoid Pain – Guildford Chiropractor
Raise seat as high as is comfortable to improve vision of road. There should be a 2-3 finger gap between the seat and the back of the knee. Move the seat forwards until you can easily fully depress the clutch and accelerator pedals, the knees should have a slight bend of 20-30 degrees.
Adjust the head rest so it rests in the middle of your head, your ears should be directly over your shoulders.
Adjust the cushion tilt so the back and shoulder blades are supported. Th seat should be set slightly backwards. If you need more support try using a small cushion to support your low back.
Set your mirrors to maximise the view of the road and without you having to turn your head too much.
Once the seat and mirrors are adjusted your hands should fall naturally on the steering wheel with a slight bend in the arms. Ensure you have the required safe distance between yourself and the airbag cover, approximately 10-12 inches (25-30 cm).
Ensure the seat belt lies across the top of your shoulder and does not rub against your neck or fall onto the top of your arm.
Plan your journey in advance and take regular breaks when driving, at least every 2 hours.
Avoid wearing high heels or very thick-soled shoes, as you will have to over-extend the ankles to put pressure on the pedals. This can create tension in the calf muscles and make it harder to deal with an emergency stop.
Using these simple tips will help you achieve a driving posture to avoid pain. If you suffer with spine or joint pain while driving then don’t hesitate to call or book with one of our skilled Chiropractors at The Guildford Spine Centre.