Driving: Does it make your back hurt?

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JohnCU

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Dec 9, 2000
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Hey all,
I was just curious to see if anyone else had problem with their back while driving. Even if I drive for a short time (like, anything over 10 miles or so), my lower back starts to hurt. I can change positions and it stop for awhile and then it comes right back. I've tried a million different seating setups (leaned back, sat straight up, raise the seat up) and I still can't get comfortable.

Anyone else have this same problem?


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Rallispec

Lifer
Jul 26, 2001
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depends on the car.. in my dads car (mercury sable) i can drive for hours and never have back problems, the seats are pretty comfortable. But in my car (00' nissan sentra) i usually get pains in my lower back after an hour or so of driving. I find that when i lean the seat back some it helps for a little while.
and as for taking your wallet out, that actually makes a huge difference for me.. i cant stand driving with a wallet in my back pocket
 

khtm

Platinum Member
Mar 5, 2001
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I have that exact problem, Dismal.

Buy a lumbar support pad (some cylidrical tube) for your car seat. Mine works great!
Or you can splurge and buy one of those fancy seat covers with lumbar support.

good luck - I feel your pain.

-khtm-
 

LAUST

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Sep 13, 2000
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The seats in my truck are like Lazy Boy chairs, I drove from Denver to Vegas without one stop, no problem, (yes my bladder can handle it I'm a "RoadWarrior") ;)

EDIT: BTW honestly thats one other reason I love trucks, Cars my legs are straight out, where in a truck it's a more natural seat, when I ride in my GF's car I hate every minute of it, I prefer to sit in her backseat cause the angle I can keep my legs, in a truck I don't have problems at all
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
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I did initially, then I adjusted the seat to the minimum lumbar support and I've not had a problem since. Of course, that's something of an anomaly, and most people will fare better with a lumbar support. I hope you find a way to get comfortable, I wouldn't be able to stand not being able to drive.

ZV
 

SpecialEd

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Jul 18, 2001
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If you only driving for 10 mins and feeling pain, your problem may be something more than just seating position.

Poor day to day posture can leave you more prone to back pain. Also, if your back and lower muscles don't get proper exercise they will be more prone to aches and pains as well. Healthly back muscles and good posture are the key to reduce pain.


Unfortunately, driving for long distances it going to be muscle aching no matter what. I usually stretch all my muscles when I have to stop for gas on long trips. Every two hours or so....
 

ShadowHunter

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Aug 27, 2001
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My back hurts while driving my Eclipse for long periods of time. It's not a very good car for long commutes.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
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I had this bad last year from poor sitting at work and then a 15 min drive would hurt my back. Ultimately I found what really helped was to shove in a sweater behind my back to put a bit of a curve in the lower back. It seemed to help.
 

Zenmervolt

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Oct 22, 2000
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<<I drove from Denver to Vegas without one stop, no problem, (yes my bladder can handle it I'm a "RoadWarrior")>>

Got you beat (barely) in the distance category. Waterville, OH to Campton, NH (788 miles) in one day. Couldn't do it without stops though, my dad's Explorer (with a full load) demands a stop about every 250 miles. I'd have driven my Accord, but three friends and a week's worth of camping supplies don't fit comfortably into a "compact" car.

ZV
 

McPhreak

Diamond Member
Jul 28, 2000
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Maybe it would be better if my driving actually did make my back hurt. Then I would stop falling asleep on the road. I can tell you from personal experience that being woken up by the little bumpy lane dividers after falling asleep on the freeway is not a pleasant thing, but it sure beats being woken up by the median divider...:confused: I've fallen asleep while driving more times than I care to remember. Thank God I don't have a car any more.
 

JohnCU

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Dec 9, 2000
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Thanks a lot for the advice.

Mister T: I drive a Chevy Lumina and I'm 5'8, 130~ lbs.
 

LAUST

Diamond Member
Sep 13, 2000
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<< <<I drove from Denver to Vegas without one stop, no problem, (yes my bladder can handle it I'm a "RoadWarrior")>>

Got you beat (barely) in the distance category. Waterville, OH to Campton, NH (788 miles) in one day. Couldn't do it without stops though, my dad's Explorer (with a full load) demands a stop about every 250 miles. I'd have driven my Accord, but three friends and a week's worth of camping supplies don't fit comfortably into a "compact" car.

ZV
>>


I did Ludington, MI to Denver one time but had to stop for one bathroom break and a couple stretches (so it don't count... but what a drive!!), it was my brothers truck and the person who owned it before him was fat or somethin cause the driverside of the bench (I hate bench BTW) was sunk like a mofo, passenger side was great but I drive most the way cause he's a sissy and fell asleep :)

It's all about the seat :) my fav are the captains chairs in the Motorhomes, my dad has a class A, can ride for a LONG time in those mofo's :D
 

Spamela

Diamond Member
Oct 30, 2000
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i had a back injury once & the physical therapist suggested i roll up
a towel & stick it behind my waist while driving. this is called
"maintaining the lordosis" (curvature) - it works well.
 

dman

Diamond Member
Nov 2, 1999
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I generally have lower back pains, but, not while driving. In any vehicle I've ever driven.

 

Linux23

Lifer
Apr 9, 2000
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i used to in my Maxima, but it seemed to have gone away.

i drove from NJ to South Carolina one time, and i can't remember having back aches. however, i remember feeling restless.

ahh, the things you do to go see some girl on your birthday!
 

dionx

Diamond Member
Mar 11, 2001
3,500
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no back problems when i drive my accord. i do get sleepy at times. however when i speed and do some crazy driving manuevers, the adrenaline gets going, and i have no problems with driving. in fact, im 100% aware of everything when running on adrenaline.
 
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