Driving a car is a risk
factor for muscle pain. Our society is dependent on automobiles
for both work and leisure. This leads to a corresponding increase in time spent seated in the car with
a greater risk of low back pain
and absence from work.
Occupational driving especially those whose
driving time is >4 h/day has often been associated with a high prevalence of back pain. The factors that contribute to cause
the pain are diverse and might include:
- prolonged sitting
-
poor driving postures
- exposure to whole-body vibration
- frequent bending/twisting activities while driving
- self-perceived job stress
- job dissatisfaction
- cumulative effects of the duration of daily professional driving
- other non-driving factors such as heavy
lifting, poor diet or other psychosocial factors.
It has been found that the chances for lower back pain increases with the number of miles driven
and number of working hours.
The prevalence of low-back
pain was noted to be higher in those not using lumbar support. As for backrest
inclination, those who choose 105 degrees as opposed to those who chose 120 degrees tend to have a greater incidence of low
back pain.
Studies have shown the beneficial
effects of lumbar massage systems in increasing muscle blood flow and oxygenation
in thoracic and lumbar erector spinae musculature during a 1 h simulated driving
task. Using massage systems while driving can thus be beneficial.
The
shortening of working hours and taking of rest breaks while working should be considered to reduce the incidence of low back
pain in those who must drive long hours professionally.
