How to sit correctly whilst driving

How comfortable are you in your driving?


A new medical condition has come to light called RDI - Repetitive Driving Injury. It is estimated that nearly 50% of drivers are suffering from this painful condition. (Results are based on an independent ICM Poll of 1,000 respondents on 8 May 2006)

Chiropractors are concerned that many drivers are risking serious long term muscle, joint and spinal injuries as many of their patients admit they don't know how to correctly adjust their car seats for comfort and safety.

A survey by ebaymotorists.co.uk showed the most common Repetitive Driving Injuries are:

- foot cramp (suffered by 81% of the survey sample),

- lumbar pain (74%),

- stiff neck (74%),

- side ache (74%), and

- headache/eye strain (73%).

Professor Mark Porter of Loughborough University, an ergonomics expert identified the four most common driving positions, 'Racers', 'Pimps', 'Multi-taskers' and 'Rollercoasters'. Each position causes different problems.

THE ROLLERCOASTER (37% of the respondents)


Most common RDI symptoms: Shoulder pain, neck strain, leg cramp and side ache.

THE MULTI-TASKER (26%)


Most common RDI symptoms: Headaches and eye strain, feet cramp, pain

THE RACER (19%)


Most common RDI symptoms: Side aches and lumbar pain.

THE PIMP (8%) 

Most common RDI symptoms: arm and shoulder ache from resting on the window ledge.

The SOULTION


1. Adjust your seat so that it has a 90˚ angle between the back rest and the seat. This will insure a 90˚ angle and your hip, keeping your thigh bone parallel to the seat.

2. Adjust your lumbar support to give appropriate lower back support

3. Do not place your elbow on the window or on an arm rest. This can put excessive pressure on shoulder joints

4. Keep your shoulders relaxed

5. If you are on a long journey have a break every hour. Have a small walk to stretch out your muscles

6. Older car seats can be adjusted by using car seat wedges and lumbar rolls

7. Avoid deep bucket seats


8. Avoid excessive backward tilt to the drivers seat

9. Do not drive with your wallet in your back pocket – this causes your pelvis to rotate.

Catch up with Dr Gemma Bailey's blog next week where she will be talking about Why crossing your legs is bad for you?

Dr Gemma Bailey
BSc (Hons) Chiro
Dr of Chiropractic