Bad Back Linked to Driving Posture

From the October 10, 2003 BBC News comes a report that urges people to be aware of their posture while driving. Whether in Britain or in the United States, people spend much of their lives driving. The article notes that poor posture while driving contributes to spinal problems. According to the British Chiropractic Association, (BCA), 32,000 people each month visit one of the BCA members with a back problem related to poor driving posture.

Dr. Tim Hutchful, from the BCA, says that people who sit incorrectly in car seats are asking for trouble. He said: "There is almost twice as much pressure on your back when you are sitting incorrectly than there is if you stand up." He goes on to state, "Those most at risk are the people who not only spend long periods of time in the car, but also those who make infrequent short journeys in the car, because it can be compared to an unaccustomed form of exercise."

The BBC article concludes with a list of tips for proper driving posture from the British Chiropractic Association. These are:

• Relaxing at the wheel: A relaxed driving position reduces stress on the spine
• Always adjusting the seat when you enter the car
• Taking regular breaks from driving - once every two hours or so
• Clench your buttocks if stuck in traffic - add some side bends and shoulder shrugs if possible
• Unload items off the back seat from the back doors of the car, rather than the front
• Don't wear tight clothes while driving