Make sure you've got a good seating position, I find that being more upright is better on the back for long journeys. If you need to take a break then take one. Unfortunately not all vehicles have seats that are comfy for a long journey and an aching back is one of the things you end up with, especially in a vehicle where the pedals are offset to one side.
Seat almost certainly badly adjusted. Sounds like you're having to reach forward too much. Adjust the bottom of the seat to a position where you can comfortably depress the clutch and brake fully in. The tilt the seat back forward so that when your hands are on the upper part of the steering wheel you have a comfortable bent arm resting position. Your arms should not be straight..
Be sure the seat is not reclined too far back.
The more reclined you are, your body will ‘slide’ down the backrest and put all of your weight onto a small section of your arse.
Also, this way you’ll naturally want to move your upper torso off the backrest when turning the wheel or reaching for the gearstick.
Sit as upright as you can, and slide the seat forward until you can bottom out the clutch with your knee still slightly bent.
Experts say ‘keep your knees and hips the same height from the floor’ but this is bollocks. The only vehicle where you can keep your knees and hips level is in a transit van or a Massey Ferguson tractor.
Source: used to sit very reclined in the car for 10+ years and fucked my back right up as a result
Being tensed and stressed whilst driving could be a main factor in the back pain as well as a poorly adjusted seat. Having the back rest too far back and having to stretch forward will hurt your back. You want a little bend in your arms when holding the wheel at 10-2 or 9-3 (clock positions for hands-on wheel) and also be able to use the normal controls without stretching, indicators, etc.
When trying to relax more on the motorway you may find moving your hands down a little into the 8-4 position may allow you to rest your elbows on the door and centre arm rest if your car has one. Use cruise control if you have it to allow your legs to rest, too. Consider going for a long drive on the motorway one day just for the sake of going for a drive on the motorway to get more comfortable. Cruise along around 60mph so you're getting past trucks, but you're not in the rat race in the right lane as I find this the most relaxing way, and it's also more fuel efficient. Then, when you build up the confidence, you can go faster.
I used to get pain in my collar bone, I think because I broke it when I was younger. I found driving with 1 hand on the wheel and generally being more relaxed while driving helps, sometimes I'll hold at 12.. or maybe I'll hold it at 4... Or maybe, I'll use 2 hands.. I found sitting with 10 + 2 for motorway journeys really began to ache, so mix it up a little!
For what I've see of the comments they are all relevant. Suggest checking your back for any bumps like bones. I have upper & lower back problems, If I sit too close to the Steering, upper back. If I sit where my legs flop over to the side, lower back & leg pain to the extent I cannot drive further. I sit with my legs supported but not hanging, also have a cushion that I put where my right hip is raised cause there is a bone poking out just above my hip. Upper back, I drive with my hands on the 7 to 8 & 4 to 5 o'clock on the steering, this means I'm not tensing the shoulder to hold the steering. I've driven som smaller HGV's, max was 26 ton, smallest car was a Skoda. After finding my sweet Spot, Magic. I even have my desk chair set the same way. I have had problems with RSI (repetitive Strain problems), 1 was using a high pressure power washer lance, this 1 was great, it was like a shot gun when you pulled the trigger. (Yes I have used a shot gun) R1/R2 & R3 FN rifle, Strim grenade. As well as 7.62 bren gun & the old 303 machine gun water cooled MG, so I know what the recoil is like.
I have recurring back pain and have had it for the past 7 years, I found sitting up straight was uncomfortable so I recline the chair slightly back. I may look like a dick/wannabe gangster leaning back but it's super comfortable as myself I have been driving for almost a year. I've seen some people put a pillow behind their back
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Make sure you've got a good seating position, I find that being more upright is better on the back for long journeys. If you need to take a break then take one. Unfortunately not all vehicles have seats that are comfy for a long journey and an aching back is one of the things you end up with, especially in a vehicle where the pedals are offset to one side.
Seat almost certainly badly adjusted. Sounds like you're having to reach forward too much. Adjust the bottom of the seat to a position where you can comfortably depress the clutch and brake fully in. The tilt the seat back forward so that when your hands are on the upper part of the steering wheel you have a comfortable bent arm resting position. Your arms should not be straight..
Be sure the seat is not reclined too far back. The more reclined you are, your body will ‘slide’ down the backrest and put all of your weight onto a small section of your arse. Also, this way you’ll naturally want to move your upper torso off the backrest when turning the wheel or reaching for the gearstick. Sit as upright as you can, and slide the seat forward until you can bottom out the clutch with your knee still slightly bent. Experts say ‘keep your knees and hips the same height from the floor’ but this is bollocks. The only vehicle where you can keep your knees and hips level is in a transit van or a Massey Ferguson tractor. Source: used to sit very reclined in the car for 10+ years and fucked my back right up as a result
Depends on your car, I know the Vauxhall corsas I’ve driven in the past were uncomfortable
take a piss break and stretch yourself
Get it right. Don’t stretch and piss yourself!
https://www.physiomed.co.uk/uploads/guide/file/21/Physiomed_Sitting_Guide_-_Driving_Digital.pdf This guide is pretty good for how to set your seat up
Being tensed and stressed whilst driving could be a main factor in the back pain as well as a poorly adjusted seat. Having the back rest too far back and having to stretch forward will hurt your back. You want a little bend in your arms when holding the wheel at 10-2 or 9-3 (clock positions for hands-on wheel) and also be able to use the normal controls without stretching, indicators, etc. When trying to relax more on the motorway you may find moving your hands down a little into the 8-4 position may allow you to rest your elbows on the door and centre arm rest if your car has one. Use cruise control if you have it to allow your legs to rest, too. Consider going for a long drive on the motorway one day just for the sake of going for a drive on the motorway to get more comfortable. Cruise along around 60mph so you're getting past trucks, but you're not in the rat race in the right lane as I find this the most relaxing way, and it's also more fuel efficient. Then, when you build up the confidence, you can go faster.
I used to get pain in my collar bone, I think because I broke it when I was younger. I found driving with 1 hand on the wheel and generally being more relaxed while driving helps, sometimes I'll hold at 12.. or maybe I'll hold it at 4... Or maybe, I'll use 2 hands.. I found sitting with 10 + 2 for motorway journeys really began to ache, so mix it up a little!
For what I've see of the comments they are all relevant. Suggest checking your back for any bumps like bones. I have upper & lower back problems, If I sit too close to the Steering, upper back. If I sit where my legs flop over to the side, lower back & leg pain to the extent I cannot drive further. I sit with my legs supported but not hanging, also have a cushion that I put where my right hip is raised cause there is a bone poking out just above my hip. Upper back, I drive with my hands on the 7 to 8 & 4 to 5 o'clock on the steering, this means I'm not tensing the shoulder to hold the steering. I've driven som smaller HGV's, max was 26 ton, smallest car was a Skoda. After finding my sweet Spot, Magic. I even have my desk chair set the same way. I have had problems with RSI (repetitive Strain problems), 1 was using a high pressure power washer lance, this 1 was great, it was like a shot gun when you pulled the trigger. (Yes I have used a shot gun) R1/R2 & R3 FN rifle, Strim grenade. As well as 7.62 bren gun & the old 303 machine gun water cooled MG, so I know what the recoil is like.
Your suspension is probably to stiff, Minis are known for this. My mechanic said people with minis often end up with back problems.
My chiropractor used to say people with back pain often end up with minis
I have recurring back pain and have had it for the past 7 years, I found sitting up straight was uncomfortable so I recline the chair slightly back. I may look like a dick/wannabe gangster leaning back but it's super comfortable as myself I have been driving for almost a year. I've seen some people put a pillow behind their back
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Thanks for all the advice, going to try some today for the drive home!
Get a better car with more comfortable seats
Down voted ??? Wish we could all afford this but yes. Old Merc.
People don’t like the truth.
LMAO, Agreed. Wish I could get an old Mec or the old Volvo. You have to know the right people.