? Long term effects of pressing and releasing clutch on lower back /discs. (best, truck)
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Depends on a lot of things including the specific clutch, seating position, physical condition of the driver, method of pushing the clutch, etc. But in general I doubt there's much more effect than any other exercise.
It is more about positioning of the seat and your legs than the tiny amount of action it takes to push the clutch. That is no more exertion than tapping your foot to the music really. However holding your leg in one position for a long time can impact you knee and lower back muscles (not disks, but muscles could be impacted, especially if you already have a disk problem). I will depend on the car. I have both knee (not cartilage left apparently) and back (compressed disk) problems and yes, in some cars it can hurt after a long drive. However it can also hurt after a long drive in an automatic, especially if I forget to reposition my legs regularly.
You'd have to have a pretty weak leg or an extremely stiff clutch to cause any damage to your body from clutching. From the factory, I can't think of a single car that has a clutch that takes a ton of pressure anymore.
Manufacturers have all kinds of methods for clutch assisted systems these days, and higher horsepower cars with beefy clutches are now being made with multi-plate clutches to keep pedal pressure down while still providing sufficient clamping force and grip, in addition to have some hydraulic or vacuum assist system.
Toughest factory clutch I ever drove was on a Viper GTS... and it was pretty tame in comparison to a modified car of mine where I had gone with an aftermarket clutch with a pressure plate with double the stock holding power and removed the factory vacuum assist. That car could get tiring to drive in stop and go driving for sure.
Cold got it.
Though to press on the clutch, you need to flex your hip, which is your iliopsoas firing, and that one pulls on lower lumbar spine, confined seating position and vibration will get you much faster, than that casual once in a while movement.
Are you collecting info for L&I case?
Interesting question.
I've driven stick shifts for over 30 years and have two herniated discs. Never thought to connect the two.
However, I can't imagine that the minimal and relatively infrequent (compared to other normal daily activities) act of briefly depressing a clutch would actually cause back or knee pain.
If it did, back and knee problems would be disproportionately and significantly represented in truck drivers. And since they are sedentary for much of their working life, that confounding variable would make it difficult to tease out any one factor as a cause.
Cold got it.
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Are you collecting info for L&I case?
1-No, not at all.
2-I know a dear one with disc problem who drove an old car much. Physiotherapist said he has seen cases with drivers. That is why I asked.
3- Pressing clutch is not fun in jammed traffic which moves and stops by 2 inches.
Why does driving cause lower back pain?
When driving for prolonged periods the lumbar curve is all but lost, placing extra strain on the vertebrae and discs.
...... What is the best driving position?
Ensure as much of your thighs are supported by the seat as possible.
...... What can help ease low back pain when driving?
Lumbar support is important. If your car seat does not supply enough lumbar support then an in-car lumbar support can be purchased.
Automatic cars place less strain on the back as constant clutch use in a manual places pressure on the lumbar discs.
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After long periods of driving your back is weaker and more susceptible to injury, so resist the temptation to bend and stretch.
How do I know if my seat is positioned correctly?
Here are two simple tests..............
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