What Car? Q&A - What's best for drivers with bad backs?

Q: Which cars are best for drivers with bad backs?
Trevor Swift

A: Even for those whose backs are in apparently good health, the way your driving position is set up is vital for the maintenance of your spine, and even more crucial to avoid aggravating back pain.

No matter how ergonomically sound a car is, unless the driving position is set for the individual, and suits the frame of the driver, no car can really claim to be better than the next for bad-back sufferers.

Additionally, motorists who cover many miles without adequate rest stops have an increased risk of developing back problems.

Even a seemingly insignificant wallet in your back trouser pocket can be enough to encourage misalignment of the spine, which could induce or aggravate a back problem.

Preventative methods include taking regular exercise and, when loading and unloading your car, avoiding bending your back.

Lotus has recently introduced a new type of seat in its Elise and Exige models made by NuBax. The seat manufacturers claim that the new seats significantly improve the postural position of the occupant’s spine while seated.

This seat is currently undergoing testing with five global automotive manufacturers. Visit www.nubax.com for more details.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy offers a guide on how to set up the driving position correctly. Visit http://www.csp.org.uk/uploads/documents/csp_publicinfo_csp84.pdf to view it.

Also see:
Back care:
www.backcare.org.uk