[Durango Dude]

Backache is directly proportional to the size of one's paunch. This paunch problem off late has assumed epidemic proportions especially with the spoilt for choice and sedentary lifestyle. Lifestyle measures include a healthy diet and exercise.

[VikrantD]

I have been driving for many years now. Have driven in the US, the EU, etc. Never had back pain issues abroad probably cos of good roads and good vehicle ergonomics.

Enter 2005 India: I was experiencing a lot of back pain in the Alto. I knew it was the bad roads and the stop and go traffic which put a lot of pressure on the joints, back, neck, etc. due to constant gear changes, clutch use, braking et all.

Changed my car to a Spark in 2008 w/o considering the ergonomics and its effects. Budget was the main constraint. The pain worsened on long trips. I just resorted to simple solutions:

1. Take brakes on long drives. Say after every hour or so. Get out of the car, stretch, walk around for a bit.

2. Keep changing the seat back rest position throughout long drives. Driving in the same position triggers the pain for sure.

And recently I purchase the back buddy from Vissco. Has helped me tremendously in city driving. 1300 bucks investment is a boon.

Try it out. Works for sure. Afterall, we have to live with this in India, especially in Maharashtra, considering all the beautiful roads we drive on.

Oh, almost forgot to mention the most important point of all.

EXERCISE, EXERCISE AND EXERCISE. Some form of workout helps a lot.

[selfdrive]

I dont know if this has already been mentioned before on this thread. Apart from regular exercise, please also ensure that while sitting on a chair (at work/ home) you dont put one foot over the other knee.

My back pain has reduced a lot since I have consciously avoided doing this. It is ergonomically best to keep both feet fully on the floor while seated in a chair (not leave one hanging off the other)

[libranof1987]

A thought came to my mind recently : Can there be a position of the seat (considering the steering, the pedals) that is the best ergonomically?

Something that Physiotherapists would suggest to be the correct driving posture? In case of cars driven by multiple people, the seat position is often changed by each driver and one might not be able to change it back to the one that suits him the most.

Many might even have a posture that "suits" them but is actually very wrong.

Guess seats should have something like a "default" or "factory-setting" position which is advised by doctors as the correct posture.

Another way to put it : How does an average driver know the seat position will not only not cause backaches/neck problem but also is a correct posture.

[selfdrive]

Originally Posted by libranof1987

Something that Physiotherapists would suggest to be the correct driving posture? In case of cars driven by multiple people, the seat position is often changed by each driver and one might not be able to change it back to the one that suits him the most.

Many might even have a posture that "suits" them but is actually very wrong.

Guess seats should have something like a "default" or "factory-setting" position which is advised by doctors as the correct posture.

Another way to put it : How does an average driver know the seat position will not only not cause backaches/neck problem but also is a correct posture.

Well, I had asked the same question to my physiotherapist (pertaining to desks at work) and the basic answer I got was that one should not:
- extend/ strain one's limbs unnecessarily or keep them in such a state for too long
- strain one's spine
- maintain the same position for continuous periods of time.

It is advisable to take regular breaks and stretch. At the same time, it is essential to prevent eye fatigue by constant staring into the screen without blinking. This can be averted by continuouly blinking eyelids very quickly for around 20 seconds. This will cause the eyes to water and cleanse of any dirt.

I guess most of this also applies to driving. I will try to recall what else was told to me!

[Kamal]

I had asked my Orthopaedic surgeon friend once about chair design/angle which is the most comfortable for sitting for long hours without stressing the back.
He told me that ideally the seat bottom should angle backward at 20-25 degrees so that the buttocks don't slide forward, & the angle between the seat & back should be 120 to 130 degrees.The back should be contoured like the human back is. Cushioning should not be too soft but firm & supportive.
I guess the same advice would apply to car seats too.
Taking a break from driving once a while , getting out & stretching is, as mentioned above is advisable too, both for drivers as well as office workers.
As for exercise & fitness, isn't that advisable, whether you drive or not?
Overweight people will suffer from back pain whatever the activity they indulge in.

[pcpranav]

apart from the Amron backrest mentioned in this thread, I also came across Tropicool one and thought of sharing with you:
TROPIcool Spine Board | Tropicool I had inquired a year back and was ~ Rs.550

even I suffer from this aliment - one thing I'll do from today is not driving with wallet in pants.

[godog]

The best way to counter back-ache is to be better informed.
Knowing the interconnected nature of the spinal neuro-musculo-skeletal system helps in formulating a change in the mindset towards seating/other posture.

Google Body - Google Labs

[swarooppatil]

[quote=VikrantD;2330654]2. Keep changing the seat back rest position throughout long drives. Driving in the same position triggers the pain for sure.
[quote]

Have for sure noticed this, it becomes very uncomfortable on long drives with the same seat position. At times making me wonder how the same position that was comfortable earlier has become uncomfortable.

[Naturalist]

Sitting usually puts more pressure on the joints and the back than when a person is standing. I have started to feel some pain on my back while driving to my native.

I had to forcefully get myself out and relax for 20 minutes. It gave some relief.
Doctor's usually suggest to take a break for atleast 5 minutes for every 1 hour.
Exercise or Yoga should help I guess.

[Durango Dude]

LBA (Low Back Ache) is directly proportional to the size of the paunch. Huge paunch produces undue strain on the spinal column resulting in LBA. If so change your life style go on a diet and reduce the waist size. You can also go in for additional back support attached to the driver's seat and physiotherapy will help.

[nutmello]

hello
i have been advised immediate surgery in lower back ( l4,l5). apparent reason being heavy driving.
i took lot of mediactions.
finally this is what made me allright
1. JAG therapy- Mysore : ph: 0821-2561819 - three sessions in morning - monday to wednesday - no medicine.Rs 300 in total.
2. swimming in the evening.
3. change in food habbits- JAG people will explain.
4. spent 10 days in nature cure hospital ( rs 2850 in total) in dharmasthala.
belive me, im doing very well now. did not change car ( fiat sienna). surgery is not in my mind any more.
give it a shot folks
cheers

[R_R]

Almost anything can set off lower back pain, especially those who have once had a problem such as a herniated disk. This is true even for people who are not overweight. Of course, many reasons why one should lose weight, including the strain on the back. But be wary of any magic bullet solutions; things that work for one might not work for others. Be wary even of your capacity to know the signals of your own body -- sometimes we are over-confident of our capacity to know these things.

I have found that one key is providing back support. Using a pillow helps me a lot, but belts don't. And frequent change of positions -- when driving (or even working), stopping every half-hour or more frequently for a break is generally recommended (difficult to practice though).

But after living with a lower back problem for more than two decades (originally due to a herniated disk caused by --ironically -- exercising!), I have come to accept that almost anything can set off a fresh attack. I do stretching exercises every day but I have had attacks that immobilizes me for weeks, despite the exercises. So I do the exercises, but also keep my fingers crossed . . .
R_R

[pcpranav]

Originally Posted by nutmello

hello
i have been advised immediate surgery in lower back ( l4,l5). apparent reason being heavy driving.
i took lot of mediactions.
finally this is what made me allright
1. JAG therapy- Mysore : ph: 0821-2561819 - three sessions in morning - monday to wednesday - no medicine.Rs 300 in total.
2. swimming in the evening.
3. change in food habbits- JAG people will explain.
4. spent 10 days in nature cure hospital ( rs 2850 in total) in dharmasthala.
belive me, im doing very well now. did not change car ( fiat sienna). surgery is not in my mind any more.
give it a shot folks
cheers

JAG sounds interesting. if you could share more details on this ?

thanks

[kratos11]

I have been having stiff neck resulting in headaches due to driving. Also some pain in left leg due to clutch usage but I’m more bothered about the stiff neck.

Now even a small drive of 30 mins in peak traffic is becoming unbearable to a point that I have started avoiding car and using more of two wheeler (surprisingly no such pain even after an hour drive with helmet on!)

Posture wise everything is alright.Was doing neck exercises & stretches but it dint helped either.I already have migraine so the headache becomes intolerable . Its been over 2 months and I haven’t driven the car now.