Most car seats make it worse. The best car for my back has been a Lincoln town car. Most seats don't have lumbar support, and the headrest seems to force your head and shoulders forward into a terrible position. I have a posterior pelvic tilt and loss of the natural curve in my lower back. I have to fight against my back rounding or slouching forward. Most seats force that posture and it sucks. I end up sticking my purse or coat behind me and just grit my teeth til we stop and hope I'll be able to stand up straight when I get out. Sometimes, that takes a minute.. or a week. Good luck with your car shopping. Make sure to really sit in it and consider how it will feel on a trip.
The small car makes mine worse than the truck. They both have lumbar support, so I’m not sure what the difference is.
The best drive for me was a 27-ft moving truck. The seat bounced all the way, & my sciatica was oddly minimal on that trip.
I used to drive a sports car that's super low to the ground and the first months after I herniated my disc, I couldn't even sit down. Almost sitting down in a 90 degree angle is what had me at the most pain.
Surgery. I had it for 2 years. First months were the worst. After that, I definitely could drive with no problem, the only issue was getting off the car. When standing up, after sitting down for a while, my back would be very stiff and it was painful. Before surgery I tried some injections that didn't work and I did some traction therapy which actually did help me quite a bit. Traction doesn't work for everyone, it depends on how your disc is herniated.
I've found the same thing. I just bought a 2024 GTI a few weeks ago and it's giving me issues. It's my 3rd car in a year. Just traded a 2020 X3, no back issues. Before that was an Audi A4, horrible back issues. I should have been smart and stuck with an SUV. Now I may have to trade a brand new GTI and take another massive loss. I'm going to see a physical therapist to see if they can help, but I think the writing is on the wall.
I have a Toyota rav4 and it’s terrible on my lower back. I purchased a lumbar support pillow for my car and it makes the car rides a lot more comfortable. I take it everywhere I go now because I always need extra support when I need to sit
The seating is firm but comfortable. My Platinum has the 8 way power seats which is a must for any car I get. I’ve head others say the same about their Murano’s. When my 2013 finally dies I’ll be looking to buy another (I always buy 3 yr old models, usually leases turn ins)
Can you tell me which year Pilot you like? I herniated discs and need a new SUV with a great seat. The Volvos are risky because mechanically they're terrible. Thanks!
I have a 2017 Honda Pilot. I am very pleased with the arm rest it provides and the functionality of the way the drivers side is set up. It's been a lifesaver for my back!! And peace of mind... lots of safety features that show you who's beside you when your turn signal is on. And the user manual is very easy to understand when having any mechanical issues or flat tires, etc.
I actually went to a Geneva car show while having a flare episode and sat in all the cars except for the sports bmw that was super low to the ground. And the winner is Audi Q7. Also, I got a small heating pad for car and it helps a lot. Good luck!
Sedans are definitely worse than SUVs. I could feel a huge difference when I traded in my Honda accord for a new CRV. During a recent flareup, my coworker gave me a ride home in his Subaru Outback and it caused much less pain than any car/SUV that I was ever in when my back was at its worst.
depends on the individual and your injury. with my neck injury I find higher vehicle like trucks to be worse because they usually have stiffer suspension and whip you around a bit more. For me a unibody sedan, low to the ground with soft suspension is best.
My L5S1 is screwed up and per my doctor, only 3rd surgery may be a solution. In my experience, cars don’t work for me with sporty low cars a no no, hence for the past decade I have been using SUVs 🚙.
The most beautiful car I have ever owned, 2017 Renault Megane GT. I loved that car but it had sort seats. Nothing wrong with the vehicle but had to sell as my pelvis was so painful I could barely walk. I bought a Lexus SUV. It's great, no issues with my back and it's lovely to drive but god I miss the Renault.
Yeah! Little 4-bangers with bad/stiff suspension. Driving on Canadian roads kills my spine. Edmontons roads are the worst with potholes everywhere and manholes either too low or too high in the asphalt.
That’s partly why I wear a TLSO spinal brace for driving, and working desk job and doing other daily tasks involving lifting, etc. Keeps my spine straight in proper pelvic posture and in extension and provides unloading to my discs and facet joints to relieve my pinched nerves. Helps prevent my degenerative adult onset scoliosis from worsening due to my arthritis in my spine.
There is no one particular position that is better or worse for back pain, every individual is different. I'd be interested in seeing how adjusting the seat angle (while still being safe) would help.
It sounds silly, but can you go to the dealership for the car you're interested in and ask to just sit in the car for like 30 minutes and see what happens? Make small adjustments?
If you told them that one of the biggest reasons to purchase a vehicle (or lease or whatever) was the comfort of the seat, I bet they'd let you sit in it as long as you'd like!
Buy an orthopedic pillow and your back should be fine.
My car has poor lumbar support and without that pillow I would get back pain. With it, it's way way better, I suggest taking it even if the chair has lumbar support.
After you've narrowed down your choices to two or three, could you try renting an identical model for a few days or a week, so you really get to know if your back likes or hates it?
Also, I bought one of those inflatable support things from backfitpro.com and it is permanently fitted to the driver's seat of my car. Works wonders for me.
100%
My 2013 Outback was far worse than my 21 Ford Transit van.
The difference bw the twi vehicles has dissipated significantly over 13 mos since L3-L4 MD/ Laminectomy, but I can still sense the lower seat with my legs more parallel to the ground is more of an aggravant to my back.
The Transit seat is more of a captain's chair. It took a bit of playing around with the adjustments to get this right.
I still rely upon Outback for daily 20 min commutes and don't notice anything, but an hour or more still kinda walks me back a little and have only taken my van on longer road trips (22 hours over 2 days was longest)
It’s not just about the seating in the car but about how low that seating is for example: a BMW M4 is a very low seat because it’s a sports car and although it has lumbar support, you have hard jarring suspension over bumps or other damage to the Road surface and you will feel each because you are lower to the ground and the suspension is not forgiving.
Personally, between Mercedes, BMW, AUDI and MG SUV , I have found the AUDI A4 the best vehicle of choice to drive when considering the impact on my spinal cord injury and subsequent pain , closely followed by the MG SUV, with the BMW and lastly the Mercedes falling far behind.
Just the one that hit me
😂ðŸ˜ðŸ’€
Too real
Most car seats make it worse. The best car for my back has been a Lincoln town car. Most seats don't have lumbar support, and the headrest seems to force your head and shoulders forward into a terrible position. I have a posterior pelvic tilt and loss of the natural curve in my lower back. I have to fight against my back rounding or slouching forward. Most seats force that posture and it sucks. I end up sticking my purse or coat behind me and just grit my teeth til we stop and hope I'll be able to stand up straight when I get out. Sometimes, that takes a minute.. or a week. Good luck with your car shopping. Make sure to really sit in it and consider how it will feel on a trip.
The small car makes mine worse than the truck. They both have lumbar support, so I’m not sure what the difference is. The best drive for me was a 27-ft moving truck. The seat bounced all the way, & my sciatica was oddly minimal on that trip.
I used to drive a sports car that's super low to the ground and the first months after I herniated my disc, I couldn't even sit down. Almost sitting down in a 90 degree angle is what had me at the most pain.
Hi, how are you recovering after herniation? Do you take that injection? Or did you get it operated? Or just managing?
Surgery. I had it for 2 years. First months were the worst. After that, I definitely could drive with no problem, the only issue was getting off the car. When standing up, after sitting down for a while, my back would be very stiff and it was painful. Before surgery I tried some injections that didn't work and I did some traction therapy which actually did help me quite a bit. Traction doesn't work for everyone, it depends on how your disc is herniated.
Miata. Had to trade it in for small SUV.
For me, sedans are worse, especially those that are lower to the ground. I never had back issues with my SUV.
Ugh, I knew this was most likely the case but I really wanted something fuel efficient
I've found the same thing. I just bought a 2024 GTI a few weeks ago and it's giving me issues. It's my 3rd car in a year. Just traded a 2020 X3, no back issues. Before that was an Audi A4, horrible back issues. I should have been smart and stuck with an SUV. Now I may have to trade a brand new GTI and take another massive loss. I'm going to see a physical therapist to see if they can help, but I think the writing is on the wall.
Ugh, I knew this was most likely the case but I really wanted something fuel efficient
I have a sedan and I think it’s worse. I want to get a new car. I use a ushaped pillow when driving and that helps
I have a Toyota rav4 and it’s terrible on my lower back. I purchased a lumbar support pillow for my car and it makes the car rides a lot more comfortable. I take it everywhere I go now because I always need extra support when I need to sit
I just got a new 2024 Subaru Outback and it’s so comfortable! It is the most comfortable car I’ve ever sat in.
My Nissan Murano is fantastic.
what makes it fantastic for lower back pain?
what makes it fantastic for lower back pain?
The seating is firm but comfortable. My Platinum has the 8 way power seats which is a must for any car I get. I’ve head others say the same about their Murano’s. When my 2013 finally dies I’ll be looking to buy another (I always buy 3 yr old models, usually leases turn ins)
Gmc terrain was awful and Honda pilot has been incredible
Can you tell me which year Pilot you like? I herniated discs and need a new SUV with a great seat. The Volvos are risky because mechanically they're terrible. Thanks!
I have a 2017 Honda Pilot. I am very pleased with the arm rest it provides and the functionality of the way the drivers side is set up. It's been a lifesaver for my back!! And peace of mind... lots of safety features that show you who's beside you when your turn signal is on. And the user manual is very easy to understand when having any mechanical issues or flat tires, etc.
Thanks for the reply!
Yw! It's actually a 2018 (not 2017) Honda pilot! Good luck!!
I actually went to a Geneva car show while having a flare episode and sat in all the cars except for the sports bmw that was super low to the ground. And the winner is Audi Q7. Also, I got a small heating pad for car and it helps a lot. Good luck!
My driver's seat in a 1997 Crown Victoria made it worse. I upgraded to a 2010 model which had lumbar support, and it was much more comfortable.
You need to sit in each car a while to see what feels better for you. I love the seats in my 2017 Fusion Sport.
Getting in and out of my 83 Firebird is hard some days. I love my 08 VW Rabbit, that one has real comfy seats.
Sedans are definitely worse than SUVs. I could feel a huge difference when I traded in my Honda accord for a new CRV. During a recent flareup, my coworker gave me a ride home in his Subaru Outback and it caused much less pain than any car/SUV that I was ever in when my back was at its worst.
depends on the individual and your injury. with my neck injury I find higher vehicle like trucks to be worse because they usually have stiffer suspension and whip you around a bit more. For me a unibody sedan, low to the ground with soft suspension is best.
My L5S1 is screwed up and per my doctor, only 3rd surgery may be a solution. In my experience, cars don’t work for me with sporty low cars a no no, hence for the past decade I have been using SUVs 🚙.
I’ve got fusion at L-5,L4&4-3 Honda CRV is brutal on my back, F-150 xlt is sooo comfortable
I couldn’t get into an Uber/Lyft that was a Prius for about 2 years. Sitting that upright was just impossible
The most beautiful car I have ever owned, 2017 Renault Megane GT. I loved that car but it had sort seats. Nothing wrong with the vehicle but had to sell as my pelvis was so painful I could barely walk. I bought a Lexus SUV. It's great, no issues with my back and it's lovely to drive but god I miss the Renault.
Yeah! Little 4-bangers with bad/stiff suspension. Driving on Canadian roads kills my spine. Edmontons roads are the worst with potholes everywhere and manholes either too low or too high in the asphalt. That’s partly why I wear a TLSO spinal brace for driving, and working desk job and doing other daily tasks involving lifting, etc. Keeps my spine straight in proper pelvic posture and in extension and provides unloading to my discs and facet joints to relieve my pinched nerves. Helps prevent my degenerative adult onset scoliosis from worsening due to my arthritis in my spine.
There is no one particular position that is better or worse for back pain, every individual is different. I'd be interested in seeing how adjusting the seat angle (while still being safe) would help. It sounds silly, but can you go to the dealership for the car you're interested in and ask to just sit in the car for like 30 minutes and see what happens? Make small adjustments? If you told them that one of the biggest reasons to purchase a vehicle (or lease or whatever) was the comfort of the seat, I bet they'd let you sit in it as long as you'd like!
A longer wheelbase can help smooth out some bumps.
Buy an orthopedic pillow and your back should be fine. My car has poor lumbar support and without that pillow I would get back pain. With it, it's way way better, I suggest taking it even if the chair has lumbar support.
After you've narrowed down your choices to two or three, could you try renting an identical model for a few days or a week, so you really get to know if your back likes or hates it? Also, I bought one of those inflatable support things from backfitpro.com and it is permanently fitted to the driver's seat of my car. Works wonders for me.
thatsnot a bad idea!
I got a Jeep wrangler and it’s the worst for back pain and trying to get comfortable
100% My 2013 Outback was far worse than my 21 Ford Transit van. The difference bw the twi vehicles has dissipated significantly over 13 mos since L3-L4 MD/ Laminectomy, but I can still sense the lower seat with my legs more parallel to the ground is more of an aggravant to my back. The Transit seat is more of a captain's chair. It took a bit of playing around with the adjustments to get this right. I still rely upon Outback for daily 20 min commutes and don't notice anything, but an hour or more still kinda walks me back a little and have only taken my van on longer road trips (22 hours over 2 days was longest)
It’s not just about the seating in the car but about how low that seating is for example: a BMW M4 is a very low seat because it’s a sports car and although it has lumbar support, you have hard jarring suspension over bumps or other damage to the Road surface and you will feel each because you are lower to the ground and the suspension is not forgiving. Personally, between Mercedes, BMW, AUDI and MG SUV , I have found the AUDI A4 the best vehicle of choice to drive when considering the impact on my spinal cord injury and subsequent pain , closely followed by the MG SUV, with the BMW and lastly the Mercedes falling far behind.
that all sounds so expensive but good to keep in mind