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 Physical
Therapy | Scott
D. Schafer, MSPT
Scott Schafer is
a licensed physical therapist and has practiced in the area of
outpatient orthopedic and sports physical therapy since 1997.
Schafer Physical Therapy, PC is located at 3249 Washington Pike,
Suite 1102, in the Portmans Country Commons Plaza. For more
information, call 412-257-0314. or visit www.schaferpt.com.
Sitting
Pretty Behind the Wheel
When you sit in
your car for more than a few minutes do you find it
uncomfortable?
If so, you’re not
alone.
As consumers have
become more aware of the importance of safety and ergonomics
while sitting behind the wheel, the automobile industry has
placed significantly more attention on seating. Besides
industry-mandated advanced restraint systems and safety features
for the driver and passengers, creature comforts such as power
adjustments, memory settings for the vehicle’s users, and
built-in adjustable lumbar supports are becoming standard
options.
Despite such
advances in vehicle seating, however, many drivers are unaware
or were never trained in the proper adjustment of their car
seat. To help people find the right seat position while driving,
Saab has issued a series of recommendations to help you find
your ideal seat position. Below are some key points in sitting
comfortably and safely in a vehicle:
The first rule of
sitting in a car seat (or any seat) is to avoid slouching. Tuck
the buttocks as far back into the seat as possible. You should
feel the contours of the seat firmly against your back,
buttocks, and thighs.
The seat back
should be adjusted slightly backwards of full vertical until the
contour of the seat feels comfortable and your elbows are bent
at a comfortable angle in order to reach the steering wheel.
Your elbows should not have to be fully extended to reach the
steering wheel.
The seat should be
adjusted forwards or backwards until the pedals can be reached
comfortably with the knees and elbows in a relaxed, flexed
position.
If your vehicle
permits, the seat height should be adjusted to allow the knees
to bend. Your knees should not be fully extended (straightened
out) to the pedals.
If your vehicle has
the option of tilting the entire seat and/or lumbar support, the
tilt angle of the seat should be adjusted backwards until your
thighs are firmly against the seat cushion without excessive
pressure. The low back should rest firmly against the seat back
without sagging in the spine. If a lumbar support exists in your
vehicle, it should be adjusted until the sagging is decreased in
the spine.
If your vehicle
does not have a lumbar support, commercially available back
supports can be purchased from your physical therapist, local
pharmacy, or other healthcare provider, and easily installed. As
a trial, you may wish to try rolling a small hand towel and
placing it behind your back at your belt line while sitting in
your vehicle. The towel roll thickness should be adjusted to
comfort.
Adjust the headrest
of your seat so that it is level with the back of your head.
While driving, your head should be close to the headrest, but
not touching the headrest. Its primary function is to protect
against whiplash in the case of an accident, and not to act as a
pillow to rest on.
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Game
Night Traditions
