Getting a lot of lower back pain and neck strain from driving

LiveOnce

Hi all,

I have started driving very regularly over the last few months. I usually drive about 2 hours each way to work.

I am finding I get a lot of back neck pain and lower back pain.

I Googled the causes of it and it suggests your seating style could be an issue. My head is slightly forward and doesn't rest against the head support, and my head facing faces slightly upwards rather than down which puts pressure on the back of my neck.

Has anyone got practical suggestions on how to resolve this pain? Thanks

Mark_Mark

Do you drive a vauxhall?

comeandgo

When I started doing a lot of driving, I had sore neck and tail bone. This all changed when I bought a landrover freelander. Their seats are brilliant. I think you will have to adjust your seat position until you find one that is comfortable for you. Are you able to take a break during your drive, get out the car and walk around a bit?

Iceweasel

When you google - how to adjust your car-seat - you get lots of useful info - including this one:

http://www.ergonomicssimplified.com/tips/driving

But even getting into and out of your car can make a difference.

As I have a low car I now sit down before swinging my legs in, and turning forward.

Paul_the_Painter

I've seen a couple of programmes over the years about this. 90% of the time it can be cured by adjusting the seat and steering wheel correctly (which is not always the most obvious settings) I'd have a look on you tube/Google, but you will probably need a friend to stand outside the car looking at you with the door open whilst you make adjustments to get it right.

daveyjp

What car? The car seat can be to blame. From my experience of car ownership you get better seats in more expensive cars.

Our Hyundai i20 had truly terrible seats which offered zero lumbar support giving me and my wife chronic lower back pain. It's items like this where money is saved to get the price down on cheaper cars.

Start again by moving every part of the seat out of your normal position, sit in the car and set everything again. Some cars also suffer from bad RHD conversions. Our RHD smart was never as comfortable as the LHD due to the position of the pedals.

Eye2013

Some cars - in particular Audis have terrible driving positions with offset pedals and steering, and no space for your left foot. If you do a high mileage in these you'll put your back out for sure.

forgotmyname

I have a Mondeo and can drive for hours without issue. My mums Golf is terrible for my back though, Same with my sisters Megane.

I cannot sit in the back of my car though, The back seats also give me back issues.

Every car will be different. The seats adjustment may help. But you may need to swap cars.

I sat in an Vectra for a few minutes and my back started to play up. It was like sitting on the old school wooden chairs. You were perched on it not sat into it.

smssms

Don't drive a Vauxhall! and try other makes of car, you will find one that suits.

My Capri in days of old and many types of Vauhxall of all ages can leave me nearly unable to walk after 1-3 hours driving. Others including VW, Merc, Audi, Volvo, Jaguar, etc, etc, etc I've been fine after long drives.

Horses for courses...

LiveOnce

It's a Renault Clio.

Prothet_of_Doom

4 hours a day in a clio ? Insane, would be one way of looking at it.

My current commute is 2 hours +/- 20 mins, and so I only do it once a week, and rent somewhere cheaper than the fuel You must be knackered ?