Lower Back Pain

[paulyV6]

For about a year now I've experienced lower back pain if I've had to drive anywhere for more than about an hour.

It's agony in the car, but as soon as I get out and stretch my back it's fine - until I get back into the car!

I was blaming the knackered seats and coilover suspension in my 3 series and was hoping that decent seats and standard suspension in my new CLK would rectify the issue. However I've just done a couple of longish journeys over the weekend (2 hours each way) and was in a lot of pain on the way back.

Have I got my seat set up wrong? There's so many options on these CLK seats, firstly with the seating positions and then with the inflatable bladders all over the seats too. Any definitive guides on setting up your seat and driving position properly?

 

[Deleted member 65149]

I'm afraid I don't know the answer but empathise completely over the lower back pain (that fortunately only hits me after too long sitting at my desk - well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!)

I love your signature BTW.

 

[stephen coy]

Hav'nt got or driven a CLK, but having had a lower back injury as a kid, my back is sensative to seat shape/position and ride quality.

For me I've always found tilting the seat base forward to spread body weight between my back and legs makes a significant differance. Also, raising the seat height as high as practicable. Back rest angle I adjust on the move till I get the most comfortable.

Ride quality and tyre profile (and pressures) are also factors. Modern cars with their low profile tyres can be pretty unforgiving. Good luck!

 

[BlackC55]

Maybe its a medical problem not a seat one?

 

[paulyV6]

I never get any back pain from sitting at a desk at work or long haul flights etc and it's only been in my last two cars = 2005 CLK and a 2001 3 Series.

The seats in cars I had previously could be moved back / forward and the seat back could be adjusted. That was it! I feel like I've got so many options now that I'm forever faffing with the seat trying to get comfortable without knowing if what I am adjusting is actually harming or benefiting me.

 

[grober]

Back suffers usually benefit from lumbar support to the lower back as this tends to maintain the natural curvature of the spine. It's just a question of experimenting. It's possible you need a more supportive seat and both cars' are now past their best- they don't build em like they used to ?? In general the Swedish cars Saab and Volvo get the best rep for good seats so when you come to change?? As Olly suggests you may have a minor back problem which is brought to the fore by long seat occupation. It might be cheaper to consult a good physiotherapist rather than a mechanic?

 

[Dieselman]

Lumber pain is usually the result of a trapped or irritated nerve. As one gets older, not only do the disks tend to bulge but the bone of the vertebrae also grow so impinge on the nerves.

You may be able to alleviate the pain by performing back exercises, alternatively may need further treatment, such as epidural steroid injections or root blockers, or indeed all the way up to a micro-discectomy or a laminectomy.
Certainly the latter options are unlikely unless you are suffering significant pain and sciatica all the time.

See your GP.

 

[John]

I used to get lower back pain in cars when my legs weren't well supported. To solve it - I have to ensure the seat tilts back enough so they are supported.

 

[Dieselman]

Cars are always bad for promoting lumber pain because the seat is low and your legs are stretched out in front.

 

[Mr E]

You can also cause lower back pain by having the wheel too far away - you should be able to rest the ball of your palm on the top of the steering wheel.

The rest is down to whatever is comfortable - for lumbar support I find that having the seat back just touching my back works best.

I've had lower back injuries, but am around the other way - with the Benz I can drive for hours with no worries, but an hour on a plane can cripple me with pain!

 

[G.P]

Have I got my seat set up wrong? There's so many options on these CLK seats, firstly with the seating positions and then with the inflatable bladders all over the seats too. Any definitive guides on setting up your seat and driving position properly?

Took me ages in my first BMW to get the seat right, but when I did I never got any lower back pain, same with the Sprinter van, once right, however, put me in a Ford and I'll want to get out within an hour if I last that long.

I presume when you first get into your car you are pushing your backside into the base of the seat and not slouching. .

 

[davethemus]

I used to have the same problem in a Nissan Almera GTi I had, didn't have that problem in any other car. The only noticeable difference in the driving position was the clutch was unusually high.

 

[paulyV6]

Cheers for all the advice everyone. I found a basic "how to set your driving position" guide on the Internet and adjusted my seat accordingly. I feel ridiculously close to the dashboard / windscreen, but a 45 minute drive this evening (that previously saw me hobbling out of the car like a hunch back) shows that I might have found the answer.

Still a bit of fine tuning to do, but I think the basic problem was that I was too far away. As I'm 6'4" I generally just get the seat as far back as it will go when I get in a new car. Turns put this was all kinds of wrong!

 

[malluboy77]

You seem to have found the cause yourself!

I could not drive my car for even 2 hours when I had not quite figured out the right settings when I had got the car while I can drive for any number of hours without even a twinge now.

Let us not forget that the most common cause of backache is inappropriate posture for the task involved!

 

[sinewave]

Google

 

[brucemillar]

As Mr E said pay big attention to your steering wheel position. Tension can move downwards from you hands and arm muscles as well as up from poor feet/leg position.

If you hate golf I apologise. In golf it is said and taught that the best swing starts with hands and feet. Get them wrong and everything that follows (including back ache) is a cert to follow.

 

[ringway]

Lumber pain is usually the result of a trapped or irritated nerve. As one gets older, not only do the disks tend to bulge but the bone of the vertebrae also grow so impinge on the nerves.

You may be able to alleviate the pain by performing back exercises, alternatively may need further treatment, such as epidural steroid injections or root blockers, or indeed all the way up to a micro-discectomy or a laminectomy.
Certainly the latter options are unlikely unless you are suffering significant pain and sciatica all the time.

See your GP.

Agreed, DM.


Don't take chances with your back. See either your GP or a reputable Chiropractor. If you have private healthcare go and have a scan to make sure something nasty isn't looming as it was in my case.


In March of this year I narrowly avoided being paralysed or doubly incontinent because I carried on working with pains accross the lower back.
I've now hobble around and sometimes lose my balance, but have also been left with other problems..



With back pain, if you get numbness at all you must go to the nearest A&E department as soon as possible.


Cauda Equina.

 

[John]

As I'm 6'4" I generally just get the seat as far back as it will go when I get in a new car.

This is my problem (I'm 50/50 split over body/legs).

Then the steering wheel is too far away so I have 'reach' the steering wheel out as far as it will go.

Only in biggers medium-size cars from the late 90s onwards can the seat actually go too far back for me and even now our Juke has to be one notch in.

I can remember old Ford Escorts / Astra GTEs giving me neck trouble due to not being able to sit upright as well...

I would say it is a pain in the **** - but is certainly close to that area!

 

[paulyV6]

My mate is a chiropractor - cant harm in asking him to recommend someone by me and see what they have to say.

I'm getting more used to this new driving position now and haven't had any more sever back pain since.

 

[ringway]

My mate is a chiropractor - cant harm in asking him to recommend someone by me and see what they have to say.

I'm getting more used to this new driving position now and haven't had any more sever back pain since I have been advised to seek medical help.

Typical bloke.


Get it sorted.