Car seats combine sustained sitting with vibration, which is a worse combination for a disc than either alone.
Move the seat closer
Reaching for the pedals pulls you forward off the backrest. Close enough that your knees are slightly bent and your back stays supported.
Reduce the recline
A heavily reclined seat means you crane your head forward to see, which loads the neck for the whole journey.
Lumbar support
Use the built-in support if there is one, or a small rolled towel. Most car seats are shaped in a way that flattens the lumbar curve.
Head restraint height
The top of the restraint should be level with the top of your head, and as close to the back of your head as comfortable. This is both a comfort measure and the main protection against whiplash in a rear-end impact.
Break long journeys
Every 45 minutes, get out and walk for two minutes.
These are general suggestions, not a prescription. If any movement sharply increases pain, causes numbness, or sends pain down a limb, stop and get assessed. Advice that suits a disc problem can be exactly wrong for spinal stenosis, which is why a diagnosis comes first.
If pain is not settling, or you are not sure which of these applies to you, get a diagnosis first. Call (314) 310-5577 or request an appointment.
Common questions
Why does driving hurt more than sitting at a desk?
Vibration, a fixed position you cannot adjust freely, and the sustained leg position for the pedals.
I have had a crash and cannot turn to reverse. Is that serious?
It is a common consequence of neck injury and worth having assessed. See accident and injury care.
Hurt in an accident? Start here.
You do not need a lawyer, a police report or a referral to be seen. Bring your symptoms and we will work out the rest.
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Same-day appointments are often available for new accident and injury patients.