Enjoy The Ride – Preventative Tips For Car Rides

The average American commute is about thirty minutes each way. That’s one hour a day, five days a week, fifty weeks a year – almost ten days a year spent in the car! Over the years, we have found a lot of our drivers started to deal with backpain, muscle fatigue, and little aches and pains from sitting in a car too long, so we wanted to do something about it.  Here are seven adjustments we can all make in the car for an ideal driving posture.

Let’s start from the ground up!

1. Feet: Anytime you can, rest your left foot on the footrest to support your pelvis and back. This will allow your body to remain in a neutral position without straining the rest of your body.
2. Knees: Position your seat so you have a 20-30 degree bed in your knees. Improve blood circulation by keeping a two-finger gap between the bottom of your seat and your knees.
3. Hips: Bring your seat height up so your hips are level with your knees and your seat bottom is horizontal. Using a cushion or wedge can help decrease damaging road vibrations.
4. Lower Back: Raise the back of your seat to a 100-110 degree angle to avoid disc compression. Adjust your lumbar support to rest comfortably in the arch of your back. Buy a support if necessary or use a rolled-up towel.
5. Rib Cage: Make sure the back of your seat reaches the height of your shoulders. If it doesn’t, the car may be the wrong size for you, and you may want to consider a different model.
6. Arms: With your shoulder blades against the seat, you should have an easy 120 degree bend to your elbows. Stretch your arms out straight and make sure your wrists bend over the edge of the steering wheel. Hold the wheel at 7 and 4 o’clock to give your shoulder and neck muscles a break.
7. Head: Adjust the headrest so it’s even with the back of your head. Your head should be somewhat tucked, like you’re lightly holding a tennis ball under your chin.

We encourage all drives to try at these tips and find a driving position that is comfortable and supportive. Enjoy the time in your car, enjoy the times road tripping with your family, and enjoy the memories made in your vehicle because sometimes the journey from A to B is more important than the destination.