[Kok! Health] "Essential 'Driving Health Tips' Every Beginner Driver Must Know?"

There is essential 'driving health knowledge' that novice drivers who have just started driving should know to prevent traffic accidents and maintain physical health.

[Photo by Pixabay]

According to Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital on the 10th, traffic accidents can be largely prevented through understanding vehicles and adopting proper driving habits. Developing healthy driving habits from the beginner driving stage helps not only reduce the risk of accidents but also prevent various ailments that may occur while driving. We explored four tips for healthy and safe driving habits with Park Jong-hoon, director of Ansan Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital.

Driving with One Hand in a Slanted Posture Increases Risk of Malalignment Syndrome

Safe driving grip methods: 10 o'clock 10-minute grip (above) and 9 o'clock 15-minute grip (below).
[Photo by Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital]

When holding the steering wheel, it is recommended to grip it with both hands at the 10:10 and 9:15 positions. This grip method allows precise steering and makes it easier to turn the wheel in emergency situations.

However, some drivers who become accustomed to driving tend to drive with one hand while leaning on the console box or window. As driving becomes more relaxed, comfortable driving habits accumulate. This not only makes it difficult to respond quickly to rapidly changing road conditions but also increases the risk of accidents during high-speed driving, which is sensitive even to small vibrations.

Incorrect posture also affects the body. Sitting in a slanted posture or driving with the body leaning to one side disrupts the body's left-right balance and increases the likelihood of developing 'malalignment syndrome.' Malalignment syndrome can cause musculoskeletal pain as well as internal symptoms such as indigestion. In severe cases, it can lead to abnormal gait, herniated lumbar disc (lumbar intervertebral disc herniation), scoliosis (lateral curvature of the spine), osteoarthritis, and chronic lower back pain.

Driving posture is as important as the habit of sitting correctly in the seat. According to the Road Traffic Authority, when extending the arms forward, the hips and lower back should be pressed firmly against the seat, and the backrest should be maintained at an angle between 100 and 110 degrees so that the wrist touches the center top of the steering wheel.

Abrupt Acceleration, Sudden Start, and Sudden Deceleration Can Cause Neck Pain and Whiplash Injuries

The so-called 'three abrupt driving behaviors'?abrupt acceleration, sudden start, and sudden deceleration?are also critical. Sudden vehicle maneuvers pose significant risks to the driver and surrounding drivers and should be avoided except in emergencies. Therefore, maintaining a sufficient safety distance and mastering the feel of the accelerator and brake pedals are top priorities.

Such driving habits should also be avoided for the health of the cervical spine (neck bones), one of the body's vital areas. If the vehicle suddenly moves or stops from a stationary state, the neck can be violently shaken, leading to cervical spine injuries. A survey conducted by Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital on 859 traffic accident patients found that the neck (81%) was the most commonly reported area of pain after accidents.

Especially during sudden stops, violent shaking of the neck causes the cervical spine to move back and forth, potentially causing 'whiplash injury.' Whiplash injury can cause microscopic damage to the soft and bony tissues of the cervical spine, which may not be detected by imaging equipment such as X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The injury can spread to other areas or worsen into various conditions such as headaches and nausea, so it is advisable to visit a hospital even if there is no obvious trauma.

To prevent the three abrupt driving behaviors, proper leg positioning is also important. To prevent sudden steering wheel movements, adjust the seat position so that the knees do not touch the steering wheel, and maintain a distance where the knees are slightly bent when pressing the accelerator and brake pedals.

Slow Down When Crossing Speed Bumps... 'Acute Lower Back Pain' May Occur

Speed bump. [Photo by Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital]

It is also necessary to slow down when crossing speed bumps. Failure to reduce speed causes the impact to be transmitted to the driver. Not slowing down over speed bumps not only strains the vehicle body but also delivers a jarring impact to the buttocks and tailbone, similar to falling on the buttocks. This impact affects the muscles and ligaments around the spine and lumbar region, potentially causing conditions such as lumbar sprain and herniated discs.

Lower back pain caused by temporary impact can mostly be recovered through self-care such as rest and applying heat. However, if the pain does not subside and gradually worsens, the damage may be severe, requiring a specialist's examination. It is especially important to check whether the disc (intervertebral disc), which acts as a cushion between spinal bones, has been damaged due to sudden impact.

If acute lower back pain severe enough to interfere with daily life occurs due to a strong impact, motion acupuncture, one of the Korean medicine treatments, can be an option. Motion acupuncture involves inserting needles into key acupoints of the affected area and moving the body actively and passively under the guidance of a Korean medicine doctor. The hospital explains that this method helps relieve pain and restore spinal function.

Visit a Hospital Even If Symptoms Are Mild After a Traffic Accident

If treatment is neglected because there is no major external injury after an accident, the injury can worsen. Especially when musculoskeletal damage occurs due to impact, conditions such as 'stagnant blood' (Eohyeol) and whiplash injuries can develop. Therefore, visiting a medical institution immediately after an accident for thorough examination and treatment is an effective way to prevent chronic aftereffects of traffic accidents.

In Korean medicine, integrated treatments such as Chuna therapy, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and herbal medicine prescriptions are provided to treat traffic accident aftereffects. Acupuncture promotes smooth circulation of qi and blood, reducing pain, while pharmacopuncture involves directly injecting herbal medicine components into acupoints to quickly relieve inflammation and pain and promote nerve recovery.

Park Jong-hoon, director of Ansan Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital, advised, "Following traffic laws and driving safely is the best way to reduce the risk of accidents. Many drivers experience musculoskeletal pain such as neck and back pain while driving, so it is necessary to regularly check whether there are any problems with posture or driving habits."