New insight from car finance lender Carmoola, in collaboration with expert chiropractor D.C Josh Newsom of Ancoats Chiropractic Clinic, reveals that everyday driving posture could be quietly fuelling back and neck pain for millions of UK motorists.
As commuters return to the office, experts warn that poor desk posture doesn’t stop at the keyboard - it follows drivers straight into the car, compounding strain on the spine during the daily commute.
D.C Newsom says sitting all day - first at a desk, then behind the wheel - is placing sustained pressure on muscles and joints, increasing the risk of long-term musculoskeletal pain.
With return-to-office patterns accelerating, drivers are spending hours hunched over laptops before jumping into the car with stiff, tight muscles - often slipping into damaging driving positions without realising.
The warning comes as the scale of the problem becomes impossible to ignore. While the NHS says too much sitting can weaken bones and muscles, with adults in the UK now clocking up around nine hours a day seated. ONS figures show the fallout is already severe. More than 1.35 million working-age Brits are currently out of work due to musculoskeletal conditions, with back and neck pain among the leading causes.
Ancoats Chiropractic Clinic has identified four common driving postures they see repeatedly among commuters - each placing unnecessary strain on the body:
Raised shoulders and a tight grip on the wheel create constant tension through the neck, shoulders and arms, leading to fatigue and stiffness over time.
Over-reclining and leaning to one side places uneven pressure through the spine and pelvis, increasing strain on the lower back and hips.
Sitting too far back with straight arms and legs locks joints near their limit, reducing natural shock absorption and increasing joint strain.
Sitting too close to the wheel with a hunched upper back places sustained pressure on the neck and upper spine - one of the most common causes of commuter stiffness.
According to experts, the solution doesn’t require a full overhaul - just one simple mindset shift.
Relax.
The driving position recommended by D.C Newsom of Ancoats Chiropractic Clinic focuses on ease and support, not tension. Sitting upright with hips slightly higher than the knees, relaxed arms with a gentle bend at the elbows, and a properly positioned headrest allows the seat to do the work; reducing strain on the spine and making driving far more comfortable.
“When your body is supported and at ease, tension drops and pressure on the spine is reduced,” Newsom explains. “Driving shouldn’t feel like something you brace yourself for.”
To help motorists start the year pain-free, Carmoola has created a driving posture guide for commuters, featuring a clear, easy-to-follow visuals and expert-backed seat-adjustment tips designed specifically for desk workers. The guide was created in collaboration with Ancoats Chiropractic Clinic.
“Many people now spend most of their day sitting - first at a desk, then in the car,” says Aidan Rushby, Founder and CEO of Carmoola.
“It’s no surprise that poor posture is catching up with us. What’s encouraging is that drivers don’t need to change everything. Small adjustments, especially learning to relax properly in the seat, can make a real difference to comfort and health over time.”
“What we see time and again is that drivers don’t realise how much tension they’re carrying into the car,” D.C. Newsom explained. “After hours at a desk, people brace themselves behind the wheel without meaning to – and that tension builds on every journey.
“The good news is that it doesn’t take a full overhaul to make a difference. If drivers remember one thing, it’s this: relax. Let the seat support your body, keep your posture natural, and avoid forcing positions. Small changes like that can significantly reduce strain and make everyday commutes far more comfortable in the long run.”