How not to sit behind the wheel of your health?

The car is not only a luxury, but also a danger while traveling. And if the consequences of an accident everyone understands and, if possible, behaves carefully on the road, then the problem of a sedentary lifestyle is not taken very seriously. But it carries a danger, about which it is time to warn novice drivers in driving schools.

Long sitting behind the wheel and its consequences

No wonder in the West the trucker profession regularly falls into the lists of the most dangerous. For a long time to sit in the same position, and wrong one, is hard work for the body. And do not forget about the constant vibrations while driving, even on relatively flat roads.

Pain in the back and neck, numb limbs - only the tip of the iceberg. The fact that after each more or less long trip you feel overwhelmed is not in vain. To sit in the wrong way — that’s how the overwhelming majority do it — is to expose the spine, muscles and internal organs to excessive stress.

In the sitting position, the spinal column experiences an impressive pressure — twice as much as when you are standing. Add to this slouch - and the load on the edges of the discs will increase by an order of magnitude. Osteochondrosis, and later radiculitis, hernia and protrusion - for everyone who is driving long hours, it's all just a matter of time.

Improper posture is also a constricted lungs, lack of saturation of the brain with oxygen and a decrease in the rate of reaction. The transferred blood vessels also promise little good. In the list of threats and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and hemorrhoids and prostatitis.

Determine the correct body position

Comfortable posture behind the wheel does not mean correct. The imaginary feeling of comfort is what makes us make mistakes. Remember the 3 positions you need to forget:

  • Half lying While you are supposedly resting, the vertebral arteries pinch, which is why the reaction rate and visual acuity decrease.
  • "Bagel". This is when you, sitting far from the steering wheel, are stretching your feet towards the pedals, and tilt the body forward. It is extremely harmful for intervertebral discs.
  • Putting the elbow out the window. You involuntarily lean on it, and lateral displacement provokes deformity of the lumbar spine.

Close on the seat. Both arms and legs should be slightly bent. Keep your knees lower than your hips. If the steering wheel is adjustable, set it so that the traditional hold “for 10 and 2 hours” is as comfortable as possible. Rearview mirrors adjust to look at them without changing posture.

There are no trifles here: if comfort, then only absolute. In addition, nothing should distract you from the road. You will develop the habit of sitting correctly - and riding in a car will cease to be a test for the body. However, there is one more, the most important aspect.

Adjustable driver's seat

That it is the key to properly sit behind the wheel. Alas, the ergonomics of the chairs leaves much to be desired even in expensive cars, not to mention the budget ones. Correct the situation will help posture corrector for the car seat. They added a seat to them - and the orthopedic back is ready.

Since the driver’s correct posture implies close back-to-back contact, the second should follow the anatomical contours of the first. For this, you need a posture corrector. It stabilizes the thoracic spine, and also saves the lumbar from excessive stress and discomfort.

And, although it is contraindicated for half-sitting, reclining at the wheel, the back should not be at an angle of 90 °. After all, this is a direct path to excessive pressure on the spine, fatigue and pain. Tilt it back slightly: an angle of 110 ° is what you need.

As for the head restraint, it not only reduces the load on the cervical region, but also protects it from injury in the event of an abrupt turn or jerk. A headrest should be at the level of the head or the ears.

In conclusion

Yes, the correct sitting involves a lot of aspects. However, to provide all this is quite simple. Certainly no more difficult than treating osteochondrosis and its many consequences. Let the car use only gasoline, not your health.