8 Tips to Avoid Neck or Shoulder Pain While Driving

Whether taking a 10-hour or a 10-minute car drive, your posture is important. Posture plays such an integrated role in how we feel and move. Even if you are not currently feeling pain or discomfort, poor posture for prolonged periods can sneak up and become an issue. Here are a few tips for awareness and setting yourself up for success while driving:

1. Check your hip-to-knee height; they should be similar
2. Make sure the back of your knees does not touch the seat. There should be at least a two-finger gap and your knees bent
3. Decent lumbar support is essential (where your lower back curves should be filled in with support). Some cars have adjustable support, but you can buy lumbar support to insert
4. Steering wheel positioned just a little below shoulder height with your elbows flexed
5. Headrest in the middle of your head, not above or below
6. Be aware of your head posture, thinking about your ears to be aligned with your shoulder, no forward head
7. Rib cage supported with your shoulders back
8. Relax your shoulders, avoiding the shoulder shrug position

Physical Therapy Can Help

Awareness of posture is a piece of the puzzle when trying to resolve or prevent any new issues. If you are struggling with neck or shoulder pain while driving or with daily activities, formal physical therapy can help. Athletico offers free assessments in clinic or virtually through our Telehealth platform.

Request a Free Assessment

*Per federal guidelines, beneficiaries of plans such as Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, VHA and other federally funded plans are not eligible for free assessments.

The Athletico blog is an educational resource written by Athletico employees. Athletico bloggers are licensed professionals who abide by the code of ethics outlined by their respective professional associations. The content published in this blog is for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied on for making personal health decisions.

References
Correct Sitting Posture – Physio Med. https://www.physiomed.co.uk/uploads/guide/file/21/Physiomed_Sitting_Guide_-_Driving_Digital.pdf.