3 Tips For Driving With A Herniated Disc

A herniated disc can make everyday life painful, especially when driving. Discover our tips for driving with a herniated disc while limiting pain and discomfort.

Adjust your seat properly

Start by adjusting your seat. A properly adjusted seat helps reduce strain and muscle tension that can lead to pain during car journeys.

Our tips for adjusting your seat:

• • Start by adjusting the seat height so that your hips are level with your knees. Most car seats are low and tilted backwards, which often causes the knees to be higher than the hips. In this position, the back rounds and the intervertebral discs become compressed. Raising your hips helps prevent this and keeps the back in a more natural and less stressful position.
• • Move your seat forward so that your arms form a 90° angle and stay close to your torso. This prevents overreaching for the steering wheel and helps reduce tension in the shoulders.
• • Use the seat back to support your back. Many of us tend to lean forward while driving. Resting your back against the seat helps reduce muscle tension and prevent back pain while driving.

Take regular breaks

Staying in the same posture for too long prevents the muscles from relaxing and increases the risk of pain, especially if you suffer from conditions such as a herniated disc. Our bodies are made for movement, which is why we recommend taking a break at least every two hours, or ideally every hour. Use this time to walk, stretch and stay hydrated.

Use a seat cushion

To reduce strain during your car journeys, we recommend using a car cushion specially designed for herniated disc relief. Expert in ergonomics Ergotech conceived a seat cushion to help reduce back pain while driving thanks to several features:

• Thicker at the back to raise the pelvis and reduce compression on the spine
• Helps limit numbness and tingling sensations in the buttocks
• Shock and vibration absorption thanks to a unique High Viscosity Fluid technology combined with dense yet comfortable foam
• Coccyx and sacrum pressure relief to avoid pressure in this area and prevent strain travelling up the spine

For even better support, combine your herniated disc seat cushion with a lumbar support cushion. Made with High Viscosity Fluid and memory foam, it supports and cushions the back.

Discover our pack of car cushions for herniated disc relief: