Truck drivers spend thousands of hours in their truck seats each year, making ergonomics not just a matter of comfort but also a matter of health. Lower back pain can make truckers’ lives miserable, and it may even force them to stop working years before they hit retirement age.
Spending 40 hours or more in a sitting position each week with little opportunity to move and stretch can cause back pain for truckers. Truck drivers are also at risk of injury related to loading and unloading their vehicles. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, commercial drivers are 50 to 75 percent more likely to have back disorders than the general public.
Causes of Truck Drive Discomfort
There are two main causes of pain in commercial truck drivers: spinal compression and pinched nerves that occur after hours of sitting in the driver’s seat. Unfortunately, many drivers put their jobs and safety at risk by attempting to manage their pain while driving using over-the-counter pain relievers, and some can make drivers sleepy.
Tips to Improve Truck Driver Comfort
To reduce the likelihood of back pain that can significantly reduce truckers’ quality of life and may even shorten their careers, these tips can help:
- Replace your truck seat. If your seat is old or worn, it’s definitely time for a replacement. Worn out seats cannot provide the support and cushioning provided by new seats. Old seats may even exacerbate back pain because they’re not supporting the right parts of the body. New custom truck seats are scientifically designed to maximize support and increase driver comfort.
- Adjust the steering wheel to prevent excessive reaching that can cause back pain and discomfort.
- Make sure that the height of your seat is adjusted to a comfortable level. Inappropriate seat height can cause you to crane or dip your neck. After several hours, this can cause significant pain. Over weeks and months, it can result in injury.
- Ensure that you can reach the gas pedal, brake, and clutch without your back leaving the truck seat. This can help you prevent injury and discomfort.
- Invest in a good truck mattress. A high-quality truck mattress helps reduce back pain and provides added support to ensure restful sleep. Plus, you reduce the risk of causing potential injuries to yourself when sleeping.
- Take regular breaks from sitting. It is essential to plan stops every few hours to give yourself a break. Get out of your truck, stand up, stretch, and move around. This helps keep joints limber, loosens muscles, and reduces the risks of lower back injuries.
- Add homey touches to increase comfort. You should customize your truck cab to your liking to make it comfortable. From adding soft pillows to padded seat covers and armrests, look for things that will help you stay alert when driving, provide low back support, and reduce aches and pains.
How Diet Relates to Truck Driver Comfort
Diet plays a significant role in truck driver comfort. A diet high in processed and fast foods can lead to constipation, digestive problems, weight gain, poor quality sleep, and impact overall health and well-being.
Conversely, a balanced and nutritious diet helps maintain optimal energy levels throughout the day. Certain foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, provide essential nutrients that can improve concentration and decision-making abilities, boost the immune system, and reduce the risks of injuries.
Shop Truck Driver Comfort Products Today
By practicing good habits, truckers can reduce their likelihood of potentially debilitating back pain and other injuries. Suburban Seating & Safety offers access to a wide range of comfortable truck seats, truck mattresses, and related products for greater comfort and optimal back and lumbar support. Browse online, visit our showroom in Lodi, NJ, or contact us directly today.
