My family and I went on a road trip from New York to Florida recently, and even though I didn’t drive the whole time, my hip has been killing me ever since. Can a long drive lead to hip pain?
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
If you extend your leg or drop your knees while behind the wheel, driving can cause hip pain.
While we usually don’t think of using proper form for anything that’s not related to exercise, it plays a major role while you drive. Leaning to one side or stretching your leg out might feel good for a moment, but those positions can be detrimental to your hips in the long run.
Not only can hip-compromising positions cause pain, but they can also increase your risk of injuries in a potential accident. Luckily, these small adjustments to your seat and posture can make a difference:
Sit as far back in your seat as you can
Make sure your legs maintain a 120-degree angle
Adjust your seat so you don’t feel pressure on your hips or legs
Ensure you can reach the steering wheel with a slight bend in your elbows
Keep your headrest level with the base of your skull
Making these changes should help mitigate your hip pain—and keep you safer while you drive. Another easy adjustment you can make to increase your protection on the road is switching to a
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