FMCSA commissions research on truckers’ lower back pain

Haven't seen much posted here about back pain as an issue for truckers, but it is one of my main concerns.

I don't have a chronic problem with lower back pain, but on many road trips I have gotten pretty sore from sitting all day. Of course I'm talking about driving an average car with a seat that's not designed for lower lumbar support. Though I've never experienced it I hear that commercial truck seats are very comfortable - are they adjustable for different desired back support?

So what's your opinion on this statistic, "the figures indicate commercial motor vehicle drivers are 50 to 75 percent more likely to have low back disorders" - is this something that just comes with the job or is there something you can do to prevent or reduce back pain?

 

Part of the job. I have had back problems ever since I drove. In the olden days when I had to tailgate and fight big rolls of carpet was the beginning of my back problems.

 

Well lifting is an obvious cause, but can just driving a rig for a living give you a back problem and are there ways to prevent this (braces/back supports or aftermarket devices to modify your seat, etc). Sure like to hear more OP's from experienced divers....

 

The newer trucks have better designed seats, but when you sit for 11 hours it can take a toll on you. Trucks have better seats than cars to me. We used to have a tahoe and my wife wanted to trade it in for a buick century. To me it is like riding in a go cart. Legs straight out in front of you. Butt about a foot off the ground. Kills my back to drive very far. Big trucks are easier on me.

 

I think the FMCSA should commission a study on a body part a few inches "south" of the lower back and attempt to discover why drivers seem to have to "take it in the....(well, south of the lower back)" from every shipper/receiver who wants free labor, disreputable companies who really "respect" their drivers, every local "One Bullet Barney" who views us as a revenue source.....


List goes on, and on, and on, and on, and.....

 

My knees hurt as well after a long period in the the drivers seat.

 

Lower back pain is something I have lived with for years. Some days its almost intolerable.