Best Seats for Back Pain
 

Well, age and abuse are starting to get the best of my back and seats. Looking at different seats to put in the Civic VX. Thinking of Saab or Volvo seats. More than likely Saab since they'll tilt forward. The will need to be manual, narrow enough to fit, and without side airbags. I can weld, and fabricate, so I'm open to almost anything reasonably priced (used is best).

General question is for you older folks, what are the best seats you've ever driven for back and all around comfort? I drive 3 hours, and after about 2, my back is killing me.

Not a seat recommendation but I have had serious back issues going back 20 years.

Two things have made a huge difference.

A teeter inversion table.
A sleep number mattress.

I can't overemphasize the difference in quality of life. My back is mostly pain free without any mind numbing medication, which I could get if I wanted by just asking the doctor, who used to be my customer when he was in med school.

I've had the mattress for almost 9 years and I don't think I could live without it unless I ate pain meds constantly.

The inversion table is a more recent purchase. Once while hanging upside down I felt a disc realign and my upper body actually moved lower, in relation to my lower body, (inverted) as the disc found its comfortable location.

I can drive all day without back pain now, in the Ranger or Fiesta. The bike I can handle for about an hour without a break but it is very rare that I ride the bike that long.

I sleep on my side and 20 years ago I was in constant pain. Chiropractors were useless. I even tried home made rigs to pull my head upward to relieve the pressure. Symptoms included numbness in my left arm, terrible back pain between the shoulder blades, parkinsons type tremors due to pinched nerves. I told my wife that if this was all there was left I was ready to die and I meant it.

I feel better today than I did at age 40 before it got really bad. My solutions were therapudic and required no surgery or medication, so in my opinion they are the ONLY REAL solutions. I used to eat aspirin heavily, now I take no aspirin. The only exception is an advil (half the recommended dosage). with a 25 MG sleep additive before I got to bed at night after a very hot shower.

regards
Mech

For a seat, get a recaro. Most VWs use recaro seats, but installing it is another issue.

Plan b, get a massage back pad in the medical isle of your favorite store. Most come with a cigar lighter plug and a strap to put it around your seat. I have one with heat and 4 massage zones. :thumbup:

I've had an inversion table for about a year now and there is NO way that I'll get rid of it. It has helped me a lot and I would recommend it before having any back surgery done. Chumly

Several years ago I experienced the same thing. My left hand was going numb while I was sleeping at night and it was awaking me. Fortunately I have an excellent medical plan. My doctor did an EKG. Negative. Then a cardio stress test. Passed it. Then a cardiac sonogram. Negative. Then a MRI (a very expensive test). After twenty minutes of being on the MRI platform my left side was so stiff I could hardly get off the table. The MRI was negative. Then I went to a neurologist. All tests, including the one for carpel tunnel came back negative. The neurologist told me my options were physical therapy, or pain patches and pills, or surgery. I said "I'll take the physical therapy."

I had had back problems all my adult life since I was in my 20's. When this occurred I was already doing 20 minutes of back exercises every morning. The neurologist told me to focus on my neck and gave me a few exercises to do. After two weeks with a follow-up appointment I noticed improvement.

As it turned out my entire left arm and my neck were the problem. Instead of actually going to visit a therapist, I did my own research on the web and found the necessary corrective exercises to do. I now do 30 minutes every morning, including situps, pushups, chinups and pullups. The only piece of equipment I use is a chinup bar and a weight (sledge hammer) to strengthen my arm. All the other exercises utilize my own body weight. I now have no pain at all. I have been shoveling and lifting heavy snow almost every day now for several hours per day, with no aches or pains.

My advice may not be welcome, but the problem is not with the seat. If you are in pain it's a deficiency in your physical fitness that can be overcome with the right corrective exercises. As we grow older doing daily exercise becomes essential for most people.

As for car seats, I have a lumbar support cushion that is basically a cushion that has a hard backing. You simply strap it into place on the seat back. There is no need to replace your car seats. Even the cheapest car seat can be improved by bolstering the back with an add on support, and you can also add a cushion for your butt if you want it comfy.;)

Second that, in the majority of cases anyway. I've had back issues since my 20s, but as long as I keep up with the exercises, they stay minor irritations at worst. If for some reason I don't (or can't, as the last couple of months with a broken wrist), sooner or later the pain will be back.

Of course comfortable seats could be worth doing for their own sake, especially for 3-hour drives. But I think you'd get better results, and much cheaper, by stopping halfway through the drive for 5 minutes or so of stretching exercises.

Back and such pain in general? Assuming there is no under lying issue its like the guys have said, muscle. Either tired muscle, muscle spasm, weak muscle, soft tissue damage.

Me, I self crack my bones and align stuff. I use a yoga ball and I also do deep stretches. I have a low back chair that comes to middle of my thighs. I have a belt neat the bottom rear legs. I stand behind the chair and loop the belt behind my ankles. I then bend over the back of the chair with my legs straight. :eek:

Make sure to do this when no one is around or looking or you may feel a swift swat to your rear end. :D

The reason the seat hurts you is that its not supporting your body right and putting stress on your muscles, joints, etc.

I feel your pain brother.
 

After head on collision friend and I had very much same issue with pain and subsequent numbness from exaggerated sitting positions.
We were doing salvage rebuilds at that time and after suffering through groups of Japanese cars, we won auction bids on a few thunderbirds and craigslist purchased 2 late 90s super coupes. After rebuilding them we always drove the cars for a month before resale so Long story short not just the seats but the cars ride itself matters.
If you believe I am incorrect I challenge you to put a clear glass of water in cup holder on next trip and see what your car is really doing.
We kept one of the Super Coupes just because of its ride quality.
P.S. The New Ford trucks are so posh you cant even feel the road go by.

Without a doubt Volvo seats are the best, or my own personal choice would be Lexus RX450h seats

Generally I find people who sit upright in the seats often suffer back pain, reclining the seat takes more of your body weight off of your spine & into the seat back bolster. Having a long reach steering wheel adjustment helps lots too.

Thanks guys for the advice. My pain is upper and middle back.

VW and Toyota seats do it to me too, just takes a little longer.

I'm going to work on the ride also. first step will be to go back to stock, then wait for a deal on airbags.

I too have suffered from back pain over the years, although mine is lower back.

The best standard seat I've used was the one in my Mitsubishi Cordia.
It wrapped around enough to give good support while cornering, without being restrictive and had adjustable lumbar support.
The cushions were firm without being too hard and being a two door car, the seats fold forward.

I agree about the overall vehicle ride being important.
I don't run my tyres at max side wall pressures for comfort reasons. Instead, I split the difference between side wall and recommended pressure as a compromise between FE and not feeling every ripple on the road.

Great subject! my 2 cents echos previous answers. A quality seat is nice,
but not really needed.

Exercise to strengthen the back is important. The best I've found is leg lifts.
Lie on your back on the floor. A pillow under your head. Wear your heaviest
boots.

Lift your legs a few inches off the floor while keeping your head down. A big strain
until you get built up. Start with what is bearable and gradually add more time.

You should be doing quite well if you can hold for 2 minutes.

The cushion XYZ mentioned is EXACTLY right on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With it, you can drive ANYTHING!!! I deliver trucks that have sometimes the crudest
upright literal bench seats, and this portable mini recaro (in my mind) goes with me
every where.

Works great on old 50's, 60's cars too.

Available at any chiropractor place, and at many stores for about $35-40.

Help your back, and it'll serve you well.

You know, when I use to drive anything and everything I used one of those back braces you see guys wear in the hardware store. I wore it loosely til I got behind the wheel, then I tighten up the first strap, then the side flaps. I could sit on a bucket and drive and be fine with the brace on. :thumbup:

You might try going to a local junk yard and testing out some seats. I can honestly say the two most comfortable seats I have ever sat in were from a '92 dodge van and the other is in my car, '00 dodge intrepid. Dont buy seats from a base model, they're crap. You said you want manual seats but Id say running the power wire is well worth it.

A car seat is nothing more than a steel frame with cushioned upholstery on it.

The seat has to have a crash worthy frame. All cars have that. Beyond that, you can add cushions to the seat to make your ride more supportive and comfortable.

Yes, it is as simple as that. Yes, it is cheaper and easier to bolster your existing seat with add-ons, rather than replace it.

Well, I'm not old, but (and I should be ashamed to admit it) comfort was the main reason I went for a Jetta. the seat is comfortable, but more than that the driving position is absolutely perfect for me.

I have chronic lower/upper back pain and have been on morphine for pain for several years. One thing I've found that helps my upper back pain when driving long distances is holding the steering wheel near the bottom so I'm not holding the weight my arms horizontally for long periods of time. For lower back pain a seat with firm lumbar support or something such a thin firm pillow or cushion between the seat and back seems to help. I've never tried it, but I've also heard some say for lower back pain it's helpful to place a thin pillow or cushion underneath the thighs while driving.

I purchased a Light Relief unit a few months ago that is nothing but infrared light and have been using it. They claim the infrared light penetrates and heats muscle tissue 2-3 inches below the skins surface and also promotes muscle healing and blood circulation. Usually winter time is awful for my pain, but since I've been using the Light Relief my pain level has been considerably lower. I've read on the internet that the Light Relief company sometimes overcharges or sends items you don't order then bills you for them, so I suggest if you try a Light Relief you buy a used one off of eBay to prevent having to deal with a not so honest company. The Light Relief comes with a small infrared light pad approximately 5"x7", but there's a larger pad approximately 7"x11" available for about $30. that works good for the back or other large areas.

It's the placebo effect. Placebos work as long as you believe in them. Then, when they stop working, you need to buy another placebo. There will always be another placebo on the market to replace the previous one you bought.

This colder than normal weather has my back acting up. Ive been hitting the muscle relaxers really hard and found from my dr I can take an extra dose a day. Really helps on top of the yoga ball.

So if I change the plugs in my car and believe it will get 100MPG, it will?

Having had chronic back pain for between 14-15 years I've tried lots of things to get pain relief and know what does and doesn't work for me. I've spent thousands on nerve root blocks, steroid injections, seeing specialists and surgeons hoping something/someone could help. Aside from narcotic pain killers and a chiropractor I used when I lived in NC this has worked better than anything. When I bought it I doubted it would help, but for $40 used on eBay it was worth a try, and I haven't regretted it. When you're in pain 24/7 and have at times been to the point of spending a month in bed and have to crawl to get around you'll give anything within reason a chance. I have to take medication so I can sleep at night, otherwise I'll stay awake all night. There have been a few times since I bought the Light Relief it has relieved enough of the pain and relaxed me enough I've fell asleep in the recliner in the middle of the day, something I hadn't done in years. I won't say it'll help everyone, but it has helped my pain considerably. I've got hundreds of dollars worth of devices I've tried, many only a few times that did absolutely nothing or in many cases made the pain worse. When I first injured my back I spent months in physical therapy which works for lots of people, but all it did for me was make my pain worse.

More about infrared light pain relief. http://www.soyouwanna.com/infrared-l...lief-4613.html

+1 on the hard drugs. :thumbup:Its nice that some have found pain free ways of dealing with back problems. It runs in my fathers side and I got it bad as he did. Seems pain is made from 3 different enzymes,cox 1,2,3. Opids are cox 3 inhibitors and knock out almost all pains.

Ive tried a range of stuff and Im sold on tylenol #3. I can take a hand full and do yard work for 5 hours pain free. I tried OC's but they make me too sleepy.

Some days I need a hand full of them just to get out of bed because of the pain. :eek:

What muscle relaxant are you taking? When I first injured my back I tried Flexeril 10 mg 3 daily I think and it did about as much good as drinking a glass of water. For the past probably 10 years I've been on Zanaflex 4 mg up to 3 times a day, they usually relieve the pain pretty good for several hours, but if I'm not busy doing something they will usually put me to sleep, no other side effects. Unless the pain is unbearable I usually try to avoid taking them unless I'm going to bed for the night or don't have any plans that involve driving.

Yeah, Zanaflex and daravacid dont do much, but are most dr first choice.

I take metaxalone 800 mg 2 pills 3 times a day. When I wake up, before bed and mid day.

As I said in post #5:

I had been prescribed muscle relaxants years ago and also found they didn't do much for pain. Ibuprofen, especially in larger doses (Motrin) works very well for pain as it is also an anti-inflammatory. But who wants to be dependent on pain pills interminably?

Doing daily corrective exercises is a time consuming chore and I'll be doing them daily until I die. But for me, being pain free is worth spending that half hour every morning.

Yeah, anti-inflammatory pills are hard on your stomach. I had laser surgery to fix some internal bleeding from them. I was taking several NSAIDS and using ice to deal with pain I had at the time. I changed my diet and started taking over the counter steroids that have it under control.

I dont know if I want to give up pills. :eek: I wish I could take pills vs eat like on the jetsons.

I had pain patches, but they stick to the inside of your clothing too easily.

I spent several months both going to physical therapy and doing the exercises at home. They always increased my pain, sometimes to the point of barely being able to drive home afterward. Over the years I've tried doing the exercises at home several times and they still have the same effect. I agree 30 minutes or even an hour a day would be a small price to pay to be pain free, but in my case apparently it's not meant to be. Since physical therapy didn't work the Dr.'s have told me it's either live with the pain or take narcotic pain killers. They say there's nothing they can do surgically to help relieve the pain. I tried for a few years to live without narcotics, but my quality of life (spending days at a time in the bed, because it hurt to bad to sit up) had deteriorated to the point of considering suicide, so I gave into using Fentynal patches and used them until they weren't doing much good controlling the pain, then went on Morphine. Before I came off the patches which are supposed to last 3 days I was prescribed a new patch per day and that still wasn't doing the job. The Morphine does more good than the patches ever did. With the patches I had bad muscle twitches and would knock things off the nightstand and hit and kick my wife at night. Ibuprofen doesn't do much good for my pain, but Naproxen helps when the morphine and muscle relaxers won't do it alone or at times when I have to drive and don't want to take the muscle relaxers. Even with Morphine I'm nowhere near pain free. The Dr. I used to see at the pain clinic I went to in NC asked me if I wanted to go on Oxycontin, but I told him I didn't want it unless it was a last resort. My pain level is still usually in the 5-6 range, but it's much better than the 8-10 without the pain killers.

I was on Celebrex shortly after injuring my back which helped some, but I had to go off of it, because it gave me chest pain. One night the chest [pain was so bad from the Celebrex I couldn't lay down for a couple hours. It finally eased up enough I was able to lay down on the couch and get a some sleep. It wasn't long after that they released a statement saying Celebrex and Vioxx could cause heart attacks.

Celebrex is a cox 2 inhibitor with a lot of side effects. I swear someone I knew died from its effects and I had internal bleeding from taking it. No issues with the ticker. :thumbup:

Vioxx is the counter part to celebrex incase you got a funny system that requires left vs right handed module medication. Or is that right vs left?

Anyhoo, the harder drugs are cox 3 and numb the pain because its better.

Back pain is from many things. Some is from soft tissue and muscle. Other is from pinched nerves, bulging disks, compression fractures.

When back pain starts to make your legs or back side of your thighs numb, effect your ability to pee, then you got some series stuff going on. Depending on how your nerves are effect it can make you weak too in the legs. :eek:

That statement says a lot about the relationship between pain and drug use.

I don't recall all the things they've said over the years is wrong with my back. On MRI they've found 7 bulged disks (3 consecutive upper, 4 consecutive lower). Facet joint syndrome, myofascial pain syndrome, degenerative disk disease and arthritis. There are others, but I can't remember what they were all called.

Yeah, exercise doesnt fix all back pain. Pills dont fix it either, its just a bandaid to deal with something that cant or wont be fixed. I met a lot of people in rehab who were in wheelchairs as a result of failed back surgery.

Dont let XYZ phase you, if your pills dont work tell your doctor and ask for something else. Try to describe as best you can what you do and do not like and what you want. If you got pain and its getting worse tell the doc. Ive gone as far as called my credit card company to dispute a few copays and takened drugs back to the drug store for a refund or store credit that do not work.

After preliminary x-rays, before I had all the other very expensive tests done, my MD told me I have degenerative disk disease. I still do, as the x-rays confirmed, because I am no longer young. I can't reverse that condition but that alone was not the cause of my daily pain.

Having that irreversible condition didn't stop me from wanting to relieve myself from having chronic pain, stiffness and lack of mobility.

After going through all the testing provided by medical tests, the neurologist told me my choices. I took the choice of living without pain or drugs or surgery, but choosing to do more daily theraputic excercises wasn't easy at first. Swallowing pain pills is an easy way out. The problem with taking drugs is that drugs never can cure the pain you are in. Pain killing drugs only relieve the pain momentarily and chronically, not interminably. They only temporarily deaden the pain. Ultimately, taking pain meds only prolongs the pain, without ever removing it.

Do you know why MD's prescribe so many drugs?

Doctors read the patient. If the patient wants pills, the doctor will provide the patient with a prescription. Most patients feel they didn't get their money's worth from the visit to the doctor if they didn't go home with a prescription in their hand.

The doctor gives the patient what he wants, because if the patient doesn't want to make an effort to help himself, neither will the doctor. Both the patient and the doctor take the path of least resistance. All doctors can recognize whether a patient wants a cure or merely a quick fix.

In America today, most people want a quick fix. That's the basis of why we have a drug culture. Drugs are supposed to fix everything. Some drugs can fix what is wrong, but only temporarily. Sometimes drugs are not the answer.

I paid my money, now gimme my fix. :rolleyes:

1char

Rhetorical questions?

I don't have gallstones, but I have experienced a toothache, so I do know how intense pain can be.

Suicide is not a medical problem per se (although obviously the end result is fatal if it is carried out). Neither is drug abuse a medical problem. Those are the end result of having severe psychological problems. Everyone has psychological problems, but most "normal" people have adequate coping skills. Interestingly, not everyone is capable of committing suicide. Of those that attempt suicide or actually do it, there is a profile of factors that they fit into.

Most people don't want to kill themselves. Most people don't become drug addicts. It's not an epidemic and society is not to blame for those things.

This thread is about relieving physical pain. Tangentially that includes the use of licit pain meds and possible dependency on them.

I want to head to Colorado and try some of the devils lettuce. :eek:

I went to a party once and they had little dishes on a coffee table with what looked like candy or pills in them. Turned out it was different pills or ecstasy before it became big. I passed as I had takened some pills of my own. :eek:

Attend all the parties. Sample 'em all. Grab a handful. Take 'em home as a goody bag. It sounds like maybe you've been in the DC circuit too long. Are they still doing this? Or has drug pushing become more discreet these days?

Ah, Colorado attracts the dopers. Rocky mountain High. It's now quasi-legal. That doesn't mean it's beneficial to those who use it.

Useful idiots...

You can keep trying to drag me under the bus, but I dont care when it comes to pain. Something I agree with YODA on. :thumbup: I had a family member who use to like to brag how they can withstand x amount of pain and must be a top 5 contender if they had a contest to measure it world wide. I tell that person they can have it. I side with a saying Jerry Seinfeld made once.

"I want maximum strength. I want the doctor to find out how much it takes to kill me, then give me a little less." :thumbup:

sorry if this link has already been posted, i only glanced through the previous posts. it shows how easy it is to mod most car seats to suit you. pretty cool. it's convinced me to add some lumbar support to my corolla wagon seat.s

AutoSpeed - Reshaping Factory Seats

Yoda's been banned, so you're on your own now.

If anyone comments on personal details you have chosen to reveal that is hardly dragging you under a bus. I suggest you Q-TIP. (Quit taking it personally.)