Any products or tips to help with back pain?

[SuperchargedVR6]

Just before christmas I noticed the small of my back was aching quite badly. After 2 weeks of not driving the car (Alfa 147) the pain went away. Driving it to work this morning, my back ached again! So I'm now fairly convinced the car seat is probably the main cause. I got the car in November and my back was fine before then. I haven't done any heavy lifting etc recently.

It has adjustable lumbar support but it doesn't seem to help.

Does anyone know any seat related products that might help?

Thanks

[Chicane-UK]

What you need to buy is another Corrado, Kev

[Contigo]

Lumbar works ok for me but any prolonged period it will start to ache and be uncomfortable. Reclined postion is also well worth trying as it takes the strain off the spine. I drive around like I'm in bed sometimes

[Crusoe]

Try a rolled up towel accross your back just below your ribs about the thickness of your arm. You get physio lumbar supports for £15 or so like this which do the same job.

[Tonberry]

Some seats / chairs are just st no matter what you do.

A colleague uses one of those rollers in his back groove which seems to do the job.

[Monty Python]

A massage from the Swedish prime minister



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Tz_oZhG8YU

[LuS1fer]

Have you tried SHOFT? They seem to be pushing it on Facebook and it seems it holds you in your seat better. Nothing coming up on Google though so check facebook.

[SturdyHSV]

If you have stuff in your back pocket when you're sitting (wallet for example) that can cause lower back discomfort without feeling uncomfortable at the time.

[rottie102]

You need one of these bad boys:

http://www.recaro-automotive.com/en/product-areas/...

[longshot]

If you can, bring the steering wheel closer to you.
You may be hunching without realising it.
My car has no reach facility and makes my back ache on medium to long journeys.

[S2Mike]

If you have heated seats, try using them, even in just the base section the warmth travels up your back and soothes the pain, or so I found in the VW Bora I used to have.
Maybe a cooling vent is directing cold air to that part of your back, its surprising how sensitive you can be to a draught.

[Captain Muppet]

I knew a physio who wouldn't drive her car without spending a couple of minutes rebuilding her tower of carefully selected pillows first.

I broke my back in the 90's and am prone to a bit of back pain, and I'm comfy in some cars and crippled by others.

[tbc]

I have a similar niggle

I'm in my early to mid twenties

My back doesn't hurt at all most of the time, when I'm sitting in work it doesn't hurt Nd when I play sports 3 nights a week it's fine. Then every once in a while you go to get up and you get a sharp pain in your lower back. Which goes away after a few seconds

[bigdom]

SuperchargedVR6 said:

Does anyone know any seat related products that might help?

Thanks

Bmw 7 series, lovely seats

[Baryonyx]

I don't suffer from back pain as such, but I do occasionally suffer some discomfort in my back when I'm driving the Astra cars at work. Which probably isn't helped by having to wear my heavy work kit over the top. Slinking down into the soft yet supportive seats in my A8 at the end of the day is joy. They are even better than the seats in my old S60! The seat can be so, so important.

[BRMMA]

i find a rolled up towel does as good a job as anything

[snotrag]

Sir needs a CG lock!

Think its www.cg-lock.co.uk

Best car thing I've ever bought, had them in every single car I've owned.

Helps greatly with posture particularly cars with slippery leather seats.

[SuperchargedVR6]

Chicane-UK said:

What you need to buy is another Corrado, Kev

That's a whole different level of pain mate, one which the wallet never really recovers from Excellent seats in them though!

rottie102 said:

You need one of these bad boys:

http://www.recaro-automotive.com/en/product-areas/...

Yummy, but more than the car's worth!

longshot said:

If you can, bring the steering wheel closer to you.
You may be hunching without realising it.

I think it only goes up and down unfortunately, but I'll double check later.

S2Mike said:

If you have heated seats, try using them,

The seat is indeed heated, but being an Alfa, it works when it feels like it.

tbc said:

I have a similar niggle

I'm in my early to mid twenties

My back doesn't hurt at all most of the time, when I'm sitting in work it doesn't hurt Nd when I play sports 3 nights a week it's fine. Then every once in a while you go to get up and you get a sharp pain in your lower back. Which goes away after a few seconds

Yep, it's exactly that, but I'm just fractionally older at 39

Thanks all for the helpful responses. I'll start using a rolled up towel and see what happens!

[StormLoaded]

Have also suffered alot since i was about 15/16 (now in my mid 30s)..im sure it was sitting in those sh*tty (un supported) high chairs at school (eg. science labs).. where you endup sat hunched over as your seat is pretty much level with table!

There are only 2 cars/seats ive ever driven that havent caused me issues.

Seat wise Recaro A8s (as per some older RSs - Sierra Cosworth, RS Turbos) are fantastic.. never had a problem.. mind i couldnt really move once in those seats!.. could try a scrappy?

in my new car the seats are quite huggy, however i think its more the heated element that helps as much as the support. It heats the lumbar area [as well as my arse].. other heated seats ive had didnt do this but its noticeable straight away now and the warmth really helps my back (upto 3 hour commutes recently, not one twinge.. the summer may be different when i cant put on the warmer though!)
could try a hot water bottle behind, just to test?

Not driving? : cannabis stops the pain nicely and is the only sure fire answer i've found.. (short of becoming addicted to Codeine via a doc's perscription..)



edit.. i got the Recaro seat code wrong.. its not A8 .. thought it was for some reason.
anyway, these are what i mean, old advert but were forsale at £80 the pair! .. these seats offer brilliant support

Edited by StormLoaded on Monday 7th January 15:41

[SuperchargedVR6]

SuperchargedVR6 said:

longshot said:

If you can, bring the steering wheel closer to you.
You may be hunching without realising it.

I think it only goes up and down unfortunately, but I'll double check later.

Just checked and the steering wheel does indeed come out. I never even noticed this in 2 months of ownership! So that and the towel are 2 things to try!