'Back' in Business

Your back is a precious thing you take for granted. But when it goes, my god do you know about it.

There has been some silence on the Muppet keyboard the past few days as my recurring back problem meant an inability to sit for long periods at my laptop.

I squished my spine a few years ago when I used to compete in 3 day event horse trials, it was not, as some of my friends have suggested, the fact that I'm old and going rusty through lack of use. I came off my horse at a static cross country jump and lets just say it hurt alot. I few years later I had a car crash which exacerbated the problem so now I have a dodgy back which decides every now and then to make my life a misery, but my osteopath's life joyful.

So a few days of sheer agony (with no nursemaid, offers gratefully accepted), walking like the Tin Man from Wizard of Oz and driving in very very flat shoes. My spine has been manipulated (read: cracked within an inch of its life) by my osteopath and I'm on the road to recovery...until next time.

It's not often I write anything overtly personal like this but I think it's important. The number of back related absences from work are on the increase and it's the most common form of work related illness. I hurt mine participating in a nutty high speed sport, but even just sat reading this, are you slouching? Also in your car you have to consider posture and ergonomics. This is something I'm going to explore in more detail but not all cars have your bog standard wheel, driving seat, pedal alignment. I had to sell a Seat I used to own and enjoyed driving because long journeys were crippling.

So, a plea from a mobile Muppet, as well as undertaking some research of my own, I'd like to know if you have any information about motoring ergononmics, or even just experiences of car-comfort. If you've anything of interest leave me a commment.