If you’re plagued by chronic back pain, driving can be a painful experience, especially on road trips and long commutes.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans experience low back pain, according to a 2012 survey by the American Physical Therapy Association. That statistic doesn’t include physical complaints associated with driving.
Fortunately for drivers, there’s a roadmap for relief. You can start with a better driving position based on tips from ergonomic experts.
Also helpful are a number of cushions and seating pads that in some cases can be custom-fitted to the curves of your back.
Another, more expensive, option is to have a motorsports shop install a high-tech replacement seat for ergonomic comfort.
Deborah Read, president and founder of Seattle’s ErgoFit Consulting, is an ergonomics consultant, occupational therapist and fitness trainer. She and her team work to eliminate workplace injuries and increase productivity in a variety of working environments — business offices, construction sites, manufacturing facilities, transportation companies, etc.