The driver's seat in my car is formed of one piece. Consequently, the headrest is not adjustable and it tilts forward. I have not been able to figure out a way to do stretchsitting, so instead I have put a bone pillow behind me just beneath my shoulder blades and am stacksitting. Is this an acceptable alternative? I am only concerned because, should I have an accident, the airbag might be a problem.
In the driver's seat
May 10, 2009 - 4:55am | 13 posts
#1
In the driver's seat
20 hours 4 min ago
09/10/2008 - 8:36pm
This is not safe!!!
It's true that some car headrests force your head forward very unnaturally. The shape of the headrest reflects the average neck distortion in our society. It also perpetuates it. If this is not your neck shape (and you don't want it to be!) you are stuck in a very uncomfortable position.
The solution is to place a firm backrest at the level of your mid-back and use it to stretchsit (not stacksit). You could use a folded towel, blanket, or Stretchsit cushion (http://www.egwellness.com/stretchsit-cushion). Soft foam or a pillow won't work - it doesn't hold you, but rather lets you down.
A good support can do four things for you:
1. Stretch your spine as you drive (this is the most important function since most of us have compressed spines and the vibrations of the car further the compression problem.)
2. Draw you away from a forward- jutting headrest so that your head settles comfortably against the headrest. You need to be sure your head is touching the headrest, or you are not being safe.
3. If your car seat doesn't have adequate room for your behind to be behind you, the extra cushion can help make more room. This problem is rarer except in bucket type car seats.
4. Draw you away from the generally poor contour around the shoulder region - allowing you to do a shoulder roll and settle your shoulders in a healthier and more comfortable position further back.
1 month 4 days ago
05/09/2009 - 2:56pm
20 hours 4 min ago
09/10/2008 - 8:36pm
15 years 6 months ago
05/10/2009 - 7:46pm
20 hours 4 min ago
09/10/2008 - 8:36pm
21 hours 21 min ago
08/16/2009 - 5:02pm
20 hours 4 min ago
09/10/2008 - 8:36pm
We are working on an extension strap because a couple of people have reported that they would like that. In the meantime, you can use a piece of rope to extend its length or just use the cushion placed behind you without using the strap (many people carry their Stretchsit cushion around with them from chair to chair not using the strap at all.)
9 years 11 months ago
09/30/2009 - 6:36am
20 hours 4 min ago
09/10/2008 - 8:36pm
Glad to hear the Stretchsit cushion is working well for you. We are hearing a lot of positive responses and are glad our two years of tweaking it has a good result in the end!
20 hours 4 min ago
09/10/2008 - 8:36pm
I'm on tour teaching around the country and I can't tell you how glad I am to have my Stretchsit cushion along with me, both for the airplane seats and the rental car seats. Going to Boulder (Denver) I forgot to remove it from my luggage to carry it on board with me and I was miserable in a very badly designed Frontier airline seat. Coming back was heaven with the Stretchsit cushion. Many people are reporting similar experiences. Here's an example:
Esther,
You asked for an update on the sciatica on my trip home from this weekend's class in Boulder. After Pam & I left class, we were visiting with her cousin, who took us on a 2+ hour car ride. I sat in the back seat. Prior to attending your workshop, I would have been in pain within 20 minutes, but by using the techniques I learned, I was able to ride for the entire time without pain. The airplane ride home was the same - a few twinges on the outskits, but basically pain free. I have been working with a physical therapist for a torn cartlidge in my knee and even that seemed to show improvement over the weekend. When I saw the physical therapist this morning and told him about the workshop and it's basic principles, he was impressed and believes that the reduction in pain in my knee may also have something to do with what I learned. He is also interested in learning about the program, so I'm forwarding your information to him.
14 years 11 months ago
12/14/2009 - 9:26am
20 hours 4 min ago
09/10/2008 - 8:36pm
The engineers got the point but the law prevents them from creating more posturally-advantageous headrests. They are thinking about a more sophisticated solution but this is a difficult time to add expense in manufacture in the car industry.
It's a sad thing when our norms get so skewed they cause damage. Our heads are forward so we have headrests that support our heads stuck forward which perpetuate the problem of our heads being stuck forward.
The ergonomics guy liked my Stretchsit cushion. He concluded "That's why there are so many add-ons out there."