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Ergonomics for your holiday travel

Planning on a road trip to visit family and friends this holiday season? Traveling is usually at a peak during the holiday season and driving long distances can cause pain and discomfort to the neck and back. Correct ergonomics while driving is just as important as practicing proper work ergonomics. This is because sitting improperly over time can cause long term spinal injuries. Driving with proper ergonomics will help you avoid a repetitive stress injury and keep you pain free.  Oviedo’s premiere chiropractor, Dr. Ressler has got you covered this holiday season. Here are tips and tricks to stay comfortable during your holiday travels.


Vehicles are designed to have multiple different adjustment options. This makes it easy to find the perfect position to stay ergonomically correct. The first step is to sit in the driver’s or passenger seat with your back against the back of the seat and the head against the headrest. While in a seated position raise your seat to a point where your hips and knees are in parallel to each other. You want to also make sure that you can reach the foot pedals comfortably without having to shift or cutting off circulation on the back of the legs. Keep in mind that your headrest should also come to the middle of your head. If needed, you can adjust your steering wheel to a distance that your arms are not fully extended but have a slight comfortable bend. Dr. Ressler, Oviedo chiropractor recommends “holding your steering wheel at a 9 and 3 o’clock position rather than a 10 and 2 o’clock position.” This not only protects you from being too close to your air bags (should they deploy), but also prevents stress to your neck and upper back.  While driving for long stretches down the highway, a more comfortable position is to hold the bottom of the steering wheel with both hands. Your shoulders should be relaxed. The elbow forms a 90-degree angle. Try to keep the elbows close to your body. While driving, move your hand positions on the steering wheel to reduce repetitive stress. Once you get yourself in a comfortable seated position, adjust your mirrors so you do not have to move your head or body to view cars next to or behind you.


We all cannot wait to visit our loved ones and hope to make great time, but don’t forget to take rest breaks. Sitting in a fixed position for too long will cause pain to your neck, upper back, lower back, and circulation. It is important to get out of the vehicle, stretch and walk around. Getting out and getting your blood pumping will lower your stress and make the drive overall more enjoyable.

Oviedo Injury and Wellness Center also offers amazing lumbar supports that are designed to fit your vehicle’s seat. They feature a special breathable fabric backing that does not cause you to sweat like foam ones.  It will keep your back in a proper position during your trip.  Our patients rave about our lumbar supports (they also make great holiday gifts!) Pick up yours today for only $15!


Oviedo Injury and Wellness Center wishes everyone safe travels, but if you are involved in an auto accident; Dr. Ressler, Oviedo chiropractor has years of experience helping hundreds of patients recover from their car accident injuries.

Dr. Ressler uses an adjusting instrument called an "activator" to restore the joints back into alignment. The activator method is low force, precise and does not involve cracking or twisting.  Every patient at Oviedo Injury and Wellness Center receives a customized treatment plan to give them maximum recovery and pain relief from their auto accident injuries. Remember you only have 14 days from your auto accident to receive an examination or you will lose all your medical PIP benefits. If you or a loved one are injured from an auto accident don’t hesitate to call 407-977-5005 (even if you are only visiting our area) and schedule an appointment with Oviedo Injury and Wellness Center.

Traveling? Not from this area? Looking for a chiropractor “near me?” OIWC has flexible hours and same day appointments available. Call 407-977-5005 today!