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Can driving cause neck pain?
My commute has recently gotten longer due to a new job and I spend far more time in the car now. My neck has been feeling increasingly sore. Can driving cause neck pain?
Jacqulyn Graber · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Congratulations on the new job! I’m sorry it’s been accompanied by a longer commute. Indeed, driving can cause neck pain.
If you have bad posture while driving, you could easily develop pain and tension in your neck, shoulders, and back. Additionally, the stress that results from heavy traffic, road rage, and bad weather doesn’t help.
If your neck pain is sharp, extreme, or persistent, seek medical attention. If it’s more of a dull tension, perhaps try some of these tips to improve your posture while driving:
- Start by adjusting your seat. Make sure its position allows your spine to be situated upright. You shouldn’t have to crouch forward to see or reach the steering wheel. As for the seat’s incline, 30 degrees tends to be a comfortable angle—you definitely want to avoid slouching.
- Keep your head back, and think about elongating your spine while you drive. Your chin should be level, and the back of your head can be touching the headrest.
- Relax your arms. You shouldn’t have to reach too far, nor should you feel cramped. Your arms should be relaxed with a gentle bend at the elbow.
- Consider your hand position. Most of us were taught the 10 and 2 positions in driving school, but trying out 8 and 4 positions could provide more comfortable neck and shoulder support.
- Don’t forget to support your lower back. You may think it has nothing to do with neck pain, but a misaligned, unsupported spine can manifest as pain in surprising ways. Try adjusting your seat’s lumbar support or utilizing a lumbar support pillow.
In addition to adjusting your posture, you’ll want to make sure you’re staying calm and relaxed on the road. If traffic jams are stressing you out, consider taking a different route or adjusting your daily routine so you can drive at a different time. Pull over if the weather is bad, and—if you’re taking a long drive—make frequent stops to stretch.
While driving can sometimes be a pain in the neck, finding great deals on car insurance doesn’t have to be.
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