Pain-Free
Driving for Women
YogaBack May Have a
Solution
Susan
Frissell
Women With Wheels
Thanks to Physical Therapist and author Dennis Zacharkow, PT, women can now sit more comfortably, and correctly when driving a car through the use of YogaBack. According to Mr. Zacharkow, women may be harming their health due to distorted posture when driving a car. In a driving position, women lean against the car backrest. Because of safety features, regular weight shifts do not take place and the trunk collapses due to inadequate support for the pelvis and rib cage.
What most women are not aware of is the disparity between a woman’s anatomy and the design of car backrests. They know they experience fatigue and back pain. As soon as they lean against the backrest their trunk collapses, also affecting the musculoskeletal system and internal organs.
In an office chair, explains Zacharkow, the backrest has an open space to provide adequate space for the protrusion of the buttocks. Without this large open space, the buttocks is pushed forward on the seat, resulting in a slumped sitting posture. Because car backrests do not have an open space, the pelvis is unsupported, creating pelvic instability when driving.
Let’s look at some of the physical facts of this overlooked health concern:
Round Back Posture. Often blamed on postmenopausal osteoporosis, round back posture results from the usual driving position. The constant abnormal stress to the spine from a habitual slumped, round back posture can permanently affect the shape of a spine. A concern for women of all ages, this epidemic is the "normal" posture for up to fifty-one percent of healthy women ages twenty to sixty-four.
Protruding Lower Abdomen. Develops from the relaxation of the lower abdominal muscles and lowering of the diaphragm ribs and abdominal organs. Gradual loss of lower abdominal muscle tone increases the stress to the lower back.
Impaired Diaphragmatic Breathing. Relaxing of the lower abdominal muscles and lowered resting position of the diaphragm, a slumped posture restricts diaphragmatic breathing. This restriction leads to upper chest breathing and that leads to shallow inspiration and a chronic state of fatigue.
Downward Pressure on the Uterus. The constant downward pressure of the abdominal organs from a habit of slumped posture increases intrapelvic pressure, causing the intestines to exert a direct downward pressure on the uterus. This can be an overlooked cause of pelvic, back and menstrual pain and general fatigue.
YogaBack is a back cushion made of soft polyurethane foam. It provides no postural correction or stabilization, and actually makes your back tired. What the 5/8" polyethylene foam does do is stabilize your pelvis, spine and rib cage in an optimal healthy and alert driving posture. Its multi-adjustable dual back support system elevates the rib cage, stabilizes the pelvis and elongates the spine. YogaBack’s dimensions are 11" wide by 22" high in a slim profile so that drivers won’t be pushed forward in the seat. There are no attachment straps, and the cover can be removed and cleaned.
The YogaBack has height and depth-adjustable pads that attach to the inside surface of the cover. Each kit includes two pads of 5/8" thickness and two pads of 7/8" thickness for proper individual depth adjustments. Each pad is 10" wide and 4" high.
YogaBack, developed by Mr. Zacharkow, former Mayo Clinic physical therapist and expert on sitting posture. Previously distributed through physical therapists, it is now sold directly to consumers and comes with a full one-year warranty. YogaBack sells for $59.95, plus $9 for shipping and handling.
For more information on YogaBack, call 1-800-SITTING, or go to the web at www.yogaback.com.
Copyright 2003. Susan Frissell. Women With Wheels. All Rights Reserved.
Other body parts affected while driving include the arms, neck and back. The least stressful and fatiguing position for the arms, neck and back when driving is with the upper arms hanging vertically at the hip line, according to Zacharkow. The recommended "ten and two" (10:00 o’clock and 2:00 o’clock) hand positions on the steering wheel disturb this balanced vertical arm posture and can lead to round shoulders, a round back and tension in the neck and upper back. Rather, what’s recommended for optimal health is to drive with lowered hand positions on the steering wheel, such as nine o’clock or eight o’clock.