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Old 9th May 2005, 19:18   #1
dev
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Is this health problem because of long drive?

Dear Bhpians,
Please excuse me, if this thread should not be created.

On April 29th '05 I had a long drive(about 400kms) in my Ford Ikon.
On that day I had some pain in my shoulders, since I hold the steering wheel for a long time. But taking few breaks helped me. But I drove completly.

Now from 07May'05 onwards, I am getting backseat pain and also my left shoulder is also giving pain. I am unable to sit for a while and feeling pain. Is it due to this long drive? My friends are suggesting it is because of it.
Since this is my first drive and I won't do any excersise.

Any suggestions? is it a serious problem?
Need to visit a doctor soon.

Thank you.
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Old 9th May 2005, 19:26   #2
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This might be a RSI - Repetitive Stress Injury. A problem caused by driving aggravated by some other thing. Are you a techie? If so it might be because of seating, viewing angle etc.,

Happens to me a lot of times. Not the back but the shoulders and the area behind the neck.
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Old 9th May 2005, 19:34   #3
dev
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I am a techie..
But I am sitting in the same chair for so many months and did not felt any trouble.
Even my legs are getting pain.

Any suggestions? DO u think it is because of long drive? How to get used to this type of long drive? Very ocassionally I may need to drive long . So, I may not get used to it? Any ideas how to manage long drive stress?

thanks.
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Old 9th May 2005, 19:46   #4
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It could be because if a lot of factors. First adjust yuor driving position properly. Your hands should not be streched to much, dont lean into the steering wheel etc.,

here are a few links that should be useful

http://www.globalspine.net/correct_d..._position.html
http://www.securitydriver.com/aic/st...ticle-101.html
http://www.autoworld.com.my/motoring...RT.ATC.TIP.DRV

These should help you out. Regarding correct posture at work, i got a slide show os something on my comp. Let me see where it is and i'll mail it you. PM me your mail id.
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Old 9th June 2005, 16:01   #5
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Found some more links. The last one is especially helpful, since its written by a therapist and tells what kind of a posture will lead to what problem.

http://www.thirdage.com/news/article...531-02.html#B1
http://www.spineuniverse.com/display...ticle2023.html
http://www.healthyback.co.nz/Driving/driving.html

Simran
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Old 11th June 2005, 14:45   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dev
Dear Bhpians,
Please excuse me, if this thread should not be created.

On April 29th '05 I had a long drive(about 400kms) in my Ford Ikon.
On that day I had some pain in my shoulders, since I hold the steering wheel for a long time. But taking few breaks helped me. But I drove completly.

Now from 07May'05 onwards, I am getting backseat pain and also my left shoulder is also giving pain. I am unable to sit for a while and feeling pain. Is it due to this long drive? My friends are suggesting it is because of it.
Since this is my first drive and I won't do any excersise.

Any suggestions? is it a serious problem?
Need to visit a doctor soon.

Thank you.
Hey Dev

It is RSI (Repetitive Stress Injury) and it could be because you are prone to compression on your vertebrae. In addition you spend most of your time at work in front of your PC.

Take it from me - I've had two disc prolapses and the last one resulted in corrective surgery after I lost movement on my left leg. So it can get very serious if you dont take care.

Basically we lead a sedentary life and thats what starts off these issues. Walk daily, and if possible take up Yoga. The latter really helps, and its worth the trouble as a serious disc prolapse can cause you to lose function on some of your limbs...dont take it casually.

And Yes, this injury can be compounded by long drives. In my case it was long motorcycle drives in my younger days and longer car journeys afterwards.

The good part is that once you start exercising regularly or take up Yoga, things get a lot better. Its been less than 1 year since I had the surgery on my spine and I just got back yesterday from a 3:15 hour, 425 drive from Muscat...

Last edited by Steeroid : 11th June 2005 at 14:51.
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