CAR FROM JAPAN - Find best deals of used cars from reliable Japanese sellersSearch Car

Experiencing Leg Pain While Driving? These Are The Causes And Solutions

ByMatsumoto Naoki-October 24, 2023

Driving your favorite automobile is a wonderful experience. Going for long drives and taking vacations is how you enjoy life. But continuously driving the car for hours can bring some challenges. Sitting in the car cabin for more than 5-6 hours can be hectic. Numerous people experience leg pain while driving for a long.

Pain can crop up when crawling your car in traffic or enjoying driving on a sunny day. The leg muscles start to cramp after a certain while.

Uncomfortable seating posture or not resting the body properly can be the major reasons behind this trouble. Relaxing your legs for a little while would help to get rid of the issue.

Let us discuss some more on the topic below.

Top Reasons Behind Leg Pain While Driving For Long Hours

Leg pain is the most common issue that appears after hours of driving. The body remains in the same sitting posture for a long and starts to cramp after a while. However, the reason behind this can be anything, but one should never ignore such pains in the body.

Body weakness can also be the reason behind such issues. It can occur in one leg or both. Starting from the back then the buttocks and then the legs, the pain also results in cramping sometimes.

Muscle cramps generally happen with long rides or continuously depressing brake, accelerator, and clutch. Sitting in the same position for hours results in cramps and nerve pulls sometimes. Nerves and muscles in the thigh experience excessive pressure after a certain period and start to pain.

Here we put together the reasons behind leg pain while driving.

Wallet in the back pocket

It is one of the most common and popular reasons behind leg pain while driving. One should never put the wallet in the back pocket when driving for long hours. It not only makes driving uncomfortable but also results in cramping.

Most men do the same when driving a vehicle. But when looking at the expert driving tips, one should avoid doing so to prevent leg cramps.

Everything you need to know about leg pain while driving (Photo: Pixabay)

Read more:

Uncomfortable seat

Sitting posture also matters when it comes to leg pain while driving. Even the uncomfortable seats inside the car cabin also lead to cramping and muscle pulls.

One should always balance the seats properly to avoid such troubles. Automobile seats are adjustable, and you can position it according to your height and weight.

Wrong position of the backrest

The backrest is also an important part of the adjustable seats. One should always take care of the backrest position when adjusting seats according to the steering wheel and foot pedals.

Everybody wants to adjust such things to the highest comfort level. But this comfort zone becomes painful when you drive for long continuous hours.

Positioning the backrest in a properly upright or slightly inclined position would work perfectly. A slight incline in the backrest is also a perfect position to avoid leg pain issue.

What do you need to know about leg pain while driving? (Photo: pxfuel)

How To Avoid Leg Pain While Driving?

Pain in the legs while driving can be caused by sitting in the same position for too long, poor posture, improper alignment of the seat and pedals, or an underlying medical condition. Here are some tips to help you avoid leg pain while driving:

  • Adjust your seat: Make sure your seat is properly adjusted to support your back and thighs. Adjust the seat height and angle so that your knees are slightly bent and your feet can reach the pedals comfortably.
  • Use a cushion: If your car seat is not comfortable, try using a cushion or lumbar support to help relieve pressure on your legs and back.
  • Take breaks: If you’re driving for an extended period, take breaks every hour or so to stretch your legs and get your blood flowing. This can help reduce stiffness and prevent leg pain.
  • Stretch before and after driving: Stretching your legs and thighs before and after driving can help loosen up your muscles and prevent pain.
  • Wear comfortable shoes: Wear comfortable, supportive shoes that allow you to easily press the pedals. Avoid wearing high heels or shoes with narrow-toe boxes, as they can put pressure on your feet and legs.
  • Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help keep your muscles hydrated and reduce the risk of cramping.
  • Consider seeing a doctor: If you experience persistent leg pain while driving, it’s a good idea to see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions or injuries.

By following these tips, you can help prevent leg pain while driving and make your driving experience more comfortable.

Wrapping Up

There you have it! The above discusses the top reasons behind leg pain while driving. Properly following the given instructions would help to prevent such serious troubles. Adjusting the seat properly is what professionals recommend to keep things safe.

Matsumoto Naoki is senior car blogger at Car From Japan. Having background in mechanical engineering, he has a unique perspective on a lot of new car innovations. Prior to Car From Japan, Matsumoto was Mechanical Design Engineer at Yajima Plant, Subaru Corporation. His articles provide detailed DIY instructions and how-tos to help you get your new car on the road. If you want to save money and feel more confident when working on your cars, you should not ignore Matsumoto’s sharing posts. He presents driving tips and tricks for everyone through easy-following steps and mechanically but friendly writing.

Comments