Lower Back Pain
Discussion
Doing ~30k miles a year, I am in the car a lot, and I find that I get crippled with horrific lower back pain if I'm driving for more than 45mins or so.
I've had it with varying degrees in every car I've ever owned, some better than others. The best was my DC2 Integra Type-R Recaros. That was very mild, and I drove 9hours to Scotland and didn't feel that bad.
My current car is a 2002 Passat, S model with the basic cloth seats. After 45mins I am squirming around, fiddling with the seat positions to try and alleviate it. My E36 M3 vador leather seats were really bad too.
Has anybody else suffered with this, and what cars have you found solve the problem? I've not got an extensive budget, so no suggestions of new or expensive cars please.
I've had it with varying degrees in every car I've ever owned, some better than others. The best was my DC2 Integra Type-R Recaros. That was very mild, and I drove 9hours to Scotland and didn't feel that bad.
My current car is a 2002 Passat, S model with the basic cloth seats. After 45mins I am squirming around, fiddling with the seat positions to try and alleviate it. My E36 M3 vador leather seats were really bad too.
Has anybody else suffered with this, and what cars have you found solve the problem? I've not got an extensive budget, so no suggestions of new or expensive cars please.
Volvo and Saab seats are great for back pain IMO.
That said if you've not done it already I'd see your GP and try to get referred for some physio. They may well find a problem or even if not they may be able to help you with posture or strengthening exercises to prevent the issue in the first place. It might not be fixable, but got to be worth a try if you've not already.
That said if you've not done it already I'd see your GP and try to get referred for some physio. They may well find a problem or even if not they may be able to help you with posture or strengthening exercises to prevent the issue in the first place. It might not be fixable, but got to be worth a try if you've not already.
This:
If you can't sit in a standard car for 45 minutes without back pain, you really should get yourself looked at. That's not normal.
mike62 said:
Turn the lumbar support up full whack if you have it, if not, a rolled up towel behind the lower back and get your self to a doctor!
And this:someday said:
Why not try to fix yourself?
Seat position is a very personal thing but it amazes me the way some people seem to prefer their seats. Is yours adjusted to give you the best possible support? Seat on the floor or reclined gangsta-stylee are not a good place to start...If you can't sit in a standard car for 45 minutes without back pain, you really should get yourself looked at. That's not normal.
Advice given to me by a physio which works on core stability, as follows:
Stick your thumbs on your hipbones.
Then move them inwards an inch and flex the stomach muscles under your thumbs.
Do this ten times every hour for the rest of your life and it'll strengthen your core and relieve the work your back muscles have to do.
It worked for me.
Stick your thumbs on your hipbones.
Then move them inwards an inch and flex the stomach muscles under your thumbs.
Do this ten times every hour for the rest of your life and it'll strengthen your core and relieve the work your back muscles have to do.
It worked for me.
Another vote for Volvo seats - I'd rate them better than Recaros for a bad back.
My Mercedes C-Class CLK seats were both pretty good too.
If a new car isn't on the cards for anything other than the seat, look for something called a Mackenzie roll. They come in different thicknesses, but I'd recommend a D-shape profile.
My Mercedes C-Class CLK seats were both pretty good too.
If a new car isn't on the cards for anything other than the seat, look for something called a Mackenzie roll. They come in different thicknesses, but I'd recommend a D-shape profile.
you probably found the type-r recaro seats better because they are more fixed upright positioned. A more upright position puts less strain on the lower back. Any physio or osteopath will explain how the natural reclined driving position on most cars are not so good for the spine posture because it focuses the stress on the lower back.
try to drive with your seat more in rally driver format i.e. bolt upright with steering wheel close to you. your lower back should be pushed firmly so that it is touching the back of the seat. wriggle around a lot at frequent intervals if you are driving long distances.
I'm no expert. I just have back problems and have seen many a physio and osteopath. so as recommended by others here, get yourself to a physio - they provide invaluable advice and exercise routines to help you.
try to drive with your seat more in rally driver format i.e. bolt upright with steering wheel close to you. your lower back should be pushed firmly so that it is touching the back of the seat. wriggle around a lot at frequent intervals if you are driving long distances.
I'm no expert. I just have back problems and have seen many a physio and osteopath. so as recommended by others here, get yourself to a physio - they provide invaluable advice and exercise routines to help you.
Dear FoR,
I echo the Physio suggestion.
I've recently started with one for the first time having stressed my lower back again. Snow clearing
He assesses ([fast show]Chris Waddle[/fast show]) you by questions, stretching and a bit of mild poking and prodding. Recommends some exercises. He didn't do anything more as it wasn't sufficiently long after the occurrence for things to have settled. With your condition being more long term maybe he'd jump into the next stage straight away.
The 2nd time as the issue wasn't fixing itself sufficiently (although improving) I was massaged and prodded more forcefully (in an entirely manly non-sexual way [Al Murray]I was never confused[/Al Murray]).
Dear reader for the rest of the day I was pain free.
The soreness came back but with some more exercises it is steadily lessening. 3rd visit on Monday,
regards,
Jet
I echo the Physio suggestion.
I've recently started with one for the first time having stressed my lower back again. Snow clearing
He assesses ([fast show]Chris Waddle[/fast show]) you by questions, stretching and a bit of mild poking and prodding. Recommends some exercises. He didn't do anything more as it wasn't sufficiently long after the occurrence for things to have settled. With your condition being more long term maybe he'd jump into the next stage straight away.
The 2nd time as the issue wasn't fixing itself sufficiently (although improving) I was massaged and prodded more forcefully (in an entirely manly non-sexual way [Al Murray]I was never confused[/Al Murray]).
Dear reader for the rest of the day I was pain free.
The soreness came back but with some more exercises it is steadily lessening. 3rd visit on Monday,
regards,
Jet
A physio/osteo is definitely something I have considered, however I'm also aware it's something that can rapidly ramp up the costs, so I'm after other people's experience in addition to recommendations for a car.
The seat position and sitting quite upright is definitely something I've tried. Every seating position I have tried to no avail, gangster, 'normal', bolt upright, various lumbar adjustments from nothing to full, and nothing seems to make a difference.
The seat position and sitting quite upright is definitely something I've tried. Every seating position I have tried to no avail, gangster, 'normal', bolt upright, various lumbar adjustments from nothing to full, and nothing seems to make a difference.
The worst car I had for back pain was an Alfa Romeo 156 Gti - turned out the pedals were in the wrong place! Ended up swapping it for a Mondeo, yes a Mondeo albeit top of the range- but much more comfortable. The other problem with the Alfa was to put on the heated seat you had to get out of the car to press the button as it was between the drivers seat and the door - unless you had the hands of a 5 year old there was no way you could reach the control. Back to the back pain - ended up with 6 months physio on the NHS, but still suffer ocassionally. Then again Alfas were not built for comfort, only style!
Face for Radio said:
A physio/osteo is definitely something I have considered, however I'm also aware it's something that can rapidly ramp up the costs, so I'm after other people's experience in addition to recommendations for a car.
The seat position and sitting quite upright is definitely something I've tried. Every seating position I have tried to no avail, gangster, 'normal', bolt upright, various lumbar adjustments from nothing to full, and nothing seems to make a difference.
OP - where are you based? if you aren't far from the Portsmouth area i would be more than happy to give you a mates rate for treatment costs (i'm a chiropractor)The seat position and sitting quite upright is definitely something I've tried. Every seating position I have tried to no avail, gangster, 'normal', bolt upright, various lumbar adjustments from nothing to full, and nothing seems to make a difference.
Ross.
Another possibility is if you can't find comfort in the seat you've got in the car at the moment, consider getting a more adjustable and posture-oriented one. I know Recaro do a range of seats designed for super comfort etc, I'm sure I've heard of a couple of people buying the seat and then switching it into whichever car they buy (with appropriate seat rails etc).
GoneAnon said:
My Mercedes C-Class CLK seats were both pretty good too.
Where they standard, not Sport, and leather?C Class standard leather seats are noted for being terrible. Mine gives me bad lower back pain, which I don't get in any other car. I use a rolled up towel, as someone suggested earlier.
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