Is your car driving your pain? An osteopaths
opinion
Whether driving a car, a bus, or a lorry or even
as a passenger - you could be suffering driving related back pain.
In all these cases, osteopathy can help to reduce
pain and your osteopath in Manchester can offer advice on back pain
management, including simple exercises to prevent problems in the
future.
Keep moving is advised by osteopaths -
It's not just the driver who can stiffen up in a
car. Passengers are often seated for long periods of time in a fixed
position.
Movement is the key for car, driver and passenger.
As a passenger, try to alter your position from
time to time and sit with your knees bent and thighs level and
comfortable. Avoid sitting with your legs crossed; move them regularly.
For driver and passengers, stop regularly, ideally
once an hour, especially when feeling tired.
Get out of your vehicle and walk around it several
times.
Stretch like a cat, gently moving your arms
around, bringing your knees up to your hips, and stretching your whole
body.
Osteopaths ask any back pain sufferer to consider
the following
- Choose a car, with an adjustable lumbar support
(and use it). Alternatively, keep a small cushion in the car to support
your lower back.
- Choose a car with a higher kerb height to make
getting in and out less stressful on the spine.
- Depressing the clutch increases the pressure on
your back so choose an automatic to avoid this.
- Power steering also significantly reduces the
load on the spine.
Driving can give you...
- Neck Pain
- Headaches
- Eyestrain
- Shoulder Pain
- Wrist Pain
- Elbow Pain
- Back Pain
- Bottom Ache
- Hip Pain
- Knee Pain
- Foot and Ankle Pain
Is the car the right fit for you?
Sometimes, the design of the car itself can lead
to back problems. If you have to drive particularly long distances,
check out the cabin and layout of the controls with the tests set out
below, and a comfortable motorway cruiser is gentler on your back
If the car can pass these four simple tests then
there is a good chance that it is suitable for the particular driver.
By using these tests a prospective buyer can make an informed choice of
car and hopefully avoid ‘driver's back pain'.
Try the following tests that our
Manchester
Osteopaths often mention
1. The Praying Test - The driver places both hands together,
pointing forwards. If the
steering wheel is not offset then the driver should be pointing
straight at the centre of the wheel. The danger of having an offset
wheel is that most drivers tend to rotate the middle of the spine to
compensate for its position, producing long term back strain.
2. The Fist Test - With the seat in the normal
driving position make a fist with the
left hand keeping the thumb to the side of the index finger. It should
be possible to insert the fist on the crown of the head. If it is only
just possible to insert the flat of the hand between the roof and the
head then there is insufficient headroom. The danger of having too
little headroom is that the driver may compensate for the lack of
height by slouching in the seat which puts a strain on the spine and
thighs.
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 you have stopped having driven
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 and
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 (i.e.
if the knee is higher than the hip) you will have difficulty when
exiting this vehicle.
If the car can pass these 5 simple tests 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.
When driving
Car seats can be adjusted to suit your posture but
make sure that you always:
1. Keep your seat reasonably upright, leaning
backwards only at a slight angle.
2. Keep the headrest adjusted so that the centre
of the headrest is level with your eyes. Don't set the headrest too low
as this can allow more serious injury in an accident.
3. When getting in, sit first then swing your legs
into the car. When you get out, move the seat back before swinging your
legs out.
4. Do you ‘ride the clutch', resting your foot in
the air? No wonder your ankles or calf muscles hurt.
5. To relax, raise your shoulders to your ears
breathing in, and then lower them as you breathe out. You may want to
do this at every red traffic light, or major junction.
6. Avoid reaching behind to get bags from the rear
seat. Don't be lazy. Get out and open the door.
7. Be careful when loading and unloading. Lift
correctly.
8. Avoid lifting unnecessary weights. Get help to
change a tyre.
9. Sit with arms gently bent at the elbow to the
wheel and don't lean forward out of the seat.
10. Wear a seat belt and make sure it is properly
adjusted. Make sure children also have appropriate seat belts and
cushions.
Remember
- Prevention is better than cure.
- Sit properly, drive relaxed.
- Osteopaths can advise on posture.
- Osteopaths treat neck and back pain - and a
great many other things as well.
- If you are unlucky enough to be involved in a
road accident osteopathy can help relieve the pain of injury,
especially whiplash-type injuries.
- Osteopaths are often asked by solicitors to
write medico-legal reports on accident
victims, to help them claim compensation.
Article Source:
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/
is-your-car-driving-your-pain-an-osteopaths-opinion-
823953.html About the Author
Francis Connor Registered osteopath and principal
osteopath at "Manchester Osteopaths" in Manchester and "Deansgate
Osteopathic Clinic" Bolton.
Francis Connor has 17 years of experience offering safe and effective
treatment, for conditions such as sports injuries, lower back pain,
sciatica, neck pain, whiplash, headaches, tennis and golfers elbow.
Additional information about our service can be found on our website
www.bodymanagementco.com or email
contact@bodymanagementco.com | 