The perfect car seat for back pain sufferers has not yet been invented, and scientific research has not found the ideal seat, which will care for people of different heights, weights and size.
Many people spend a lot of time in the car seat, often driving under some stress. It is therefore important to try to find one, which is comfortable and can be adjusted for height, level and rake of back, height of seat and angle and distance from the
steering wheel.
Adjust your seat for maximum comfort so that the hips and knees are well flexed with arm relaxed and bent to the steering wheel. If there is little or no support to the lumbar region, fit a cushion or one of the many manufactured supports available. If on a long journey, stop occasionally and walk round to relax your legs and also ease your spine.
Five simple tests to check the driving position and control layout of a car
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POSTURE
Do not over stretch your spine. To avoid whiplash injury, ensure that the car head restraint is positioned correctly. It should be raised to the point where the bottom is level with the top of the ears.
“You should look for a car seat that offers good lumbar support and allows you to reach the foot pedals without feeling cramped or overstretched. When driving, maintain an upright posture, adjust the angle of your backrest so that your arms are positioned comfortably on the steering wheel, and ensure that you have a clear view of the road.
Adjust your mirrors carefully, as making full use of them will minimise the need for you to twist around in your seat. Ideally, when travelling long distances, you should
stop and take a break every hour”
“You should look for a car seat that offers good lumbar support and allows you to reach the foot pedals without feeling cramped or overstretched. When driving, maintain an upright posture, adjust the angle of your backrest so that your arms are positioned comfortably on the steering wheel, and ensure that you have a clear view of the road.
Adjust your mirrors carefully, as making full use of them will minimise the need for you to twist around in your seat. Ideally, when travelling long distances, you should
stop and take a break every hour”
1)
The Praying Test. Sitting in the driver's seat, place the hands together, fingertips and palms touching, pointing outwards from the chest as if praying. The wrists should actually be touching the chest. In this position the hands will form a fairly accurate perpendicular to the body and it should be possible to see if they are pointing at the centre of the steering wheel. If they are not then the wheel may be offset.
2)
The Fist Test. With the seat in the normal driving position ( i.e. a position where the clutch can be fully depressed without stretching and the hips well back into the seat) make a fist with the left hand keeping the thumb to the side of the index finger. The depth of such a fist will measure approximately 50mm and it should be possible to place the fist on the crown of the head. If it is only possible to insert the flat of the hand between the roof and head then there is insufficient headroom.
3)
The Look Down Test. With both hands placed evenly on the steering wheel look down at the legs. It should be possible to see equal amounts of both legs between the arms. Frequently the left leg will be visible but the right leg will be obscured by the right arm which may indicate that the shoulder girdle is rotated to the left in relation to the pelvis.
4)
The Right Leg Test. This test should be performed after driving the car for a short while. Once again, look down and examine the position of the right leg. Is it elevated above the level of the left or has it fallen out towards the edge of the seat? Is the right foot roughly in line with the thigh as it should be or has it had to come across towards the centre of the car?
5)
The Kerb Height Test. Swing the right leg out of the car as though getting out, and place the right foot on the ground. Try and ensure the lower leg (shin & calf ) is in a vertical position. Now look at the surface of the right thigh. It should be sloping down towards the knee. If it is sloping upwards (ie if the knee is higher than the hip) you will have difficulty when exiting this vehicle.
If the car can pass these five simple tests then there is a good chance that it is suitable for that particular driver. By utilising the tests, a prospective purchaser should be able to produce a short list of suitable vehicles, from which they can then make a choice.
CHOOSE:
· · · · · · Higher Kerb height
· · · · · · Sufficient Headroom
· · · · · · Adjustable Lumbar Support
· · · · · · Power Steering
Spinal manipulation is effective for low back pain (BEAM trial, 2004)
Government guidelines recommend osteopathy for persistent low back pain (NICE, 2009)
Osteopathy is possibly effective for infantile colic (Hayden 2006)