Drive away your aches and pains: Healthcare experts give eight top tips to avoid back problems caused by being at the wheel of your car

AXA PP healthcare experts give their recommendations to avoid back issues
Tips include how to get in and out of a car the correct way for back problems
Seat adjustment is key: 5 of the tips are about setting a chair in the best position

Published: 05:20 EDT, 3 November 2018 | Updated: 06:17 EDT, 3 November 2018

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If you suffer from back pain when driving even the shortest of journeys can be uncomfortable - and arduous longer trips almost unbearable.

While in some cases it's almost unavoidable, many motorists might be enduring needlessly unpleasant journeys simply because they have poor driving posture.

AXA PPP healthcare has provided us with eight tips all drivers should follow to ensure every journey is a painless as possible.

Drive away back pain: Experts having given their tips to help you avoid uncomfortable and painful car journeys

1. Don't trigger back problems before getting seated

It's very easy to trigger a back issue before you've even taken your seat in the car because you've got in incorrectly.

If you do suffer back problems you should ensure each time you enter the vehicle you open the door fully and use one hand to hold the seat, headrest of grab handle.

When lowering yourself into the car keep your lower back straight, bend your knees and sit on the edge of the seat facing out of the vehicle.

Then in one continuous movement, keep your legs together and wing them over the door sill to rest your feet on the carpet.

2. Adjust your seat height correctly

Some motorists think seat height adjustment is there purely so you can position yourself so you can adequately see over the steering wheel and feel you are in a commanding driving position.

However, many don't realise there is a certain way to have the seat to ease the strain on your back.

Ideally, the seat needs to be set at a height that means your hips are at the same height as your knees.

3. You need to have some bend in your arms

Some drivers like to have their seat pushed all the way up towards the windscreen, while others prefer to stretch their legs at the compromise of their rear-seat passengers.

But the experts say you should have the seat at a distance that allows your elbows to be bent at between 20 and 30 degrees when your hands are at the 10 and 2 o'clock position on the wheel.

If you have a car with reach adjustment on the steering wheel - which most modern vehicles have these days - you should be able to find a comfortable setting.

4. Pedal distance is just as important as the reach to the steering wheel

Reach adjustment on the steering wheel not only allows a driver to get their arms positioned correctly but their legs too.

AXA PPP healthcare experts say your legs should be bent at approximately 45 degrees when driving.

Having your knees overly bent puts pressure on the back while over stretching will result in slouching and not enough support for your spine. So find the sweet spot.

Make sure the seat back is in a position that supports all of your back, have your arms bent and your hips and knees at the same height

5. Make use of adjustable lumbar support

Have the seat in a position that feels naturally supporting from your shoulders down to the bottom of your back.

Some cars have lumbar cushions that can be adjusted to encourage the natural ‘S’ shaped curvature of the spine.

If your model doesn't have this, you can alternatively use a rolled up towel and position it between your lower back and the seat for a similar effect.

6. Head placement is key

Make sure you alter your headrest so that the middle of the back of your head is aligned with the middle of the cushion.

When you’re sitting correctly, the back of your head should be about one inch away from the cushion.

Never remove the headrest, as it helps protect your neck from whiplash injuries in the event of a car crash or sudden stop.

7. Mirror positioning is about more than safety

By having your mirrors positioned correctly you will ensure that you see clearly without straining your neck or back by avoiding unnecessarily twisting or turning your spine.