[esteem_lover]

Originally Posted by Steeroid

However if the seats are bad, even that isnt going to help.

Unfortunately the Indian SUV mfrs have given little importance for this aspect of car making.

Originally Posted by Steeroid

There is plenty of research quoted in newspapers that also shows that eating chocolates can make you slim and that cigarettes are good for your lungs.

You got to forward those articles to me sometime. I am trying hard to convince myself that cigarettes don't kill.

[shivmarwaha]

Originally Posted by brainscooper

Hi,
It is not clear from your message whether you suffer only low back pain, or also additional features of a lumbar disc prolpase, such as radiating pain along the side or back of your legs, numbness in legs (below knees), weakness of big toe or difficulty in walking on your toes or heels. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, you will need an MRI scan (if not already taken) and probably will require surgery. On the other hand, if your symptoms are better with bed rest, I would suggest that you start and continue (that is the most difficult part) spinal strengthening exercises in consultation with a good physiatrist (a doctor who specialises in rehabilitation) or a physiotherapist.

My pain is in lower back. got an MRI done and it revealed the L4-L5, L5-S1 disc stenosis. There is no numbness in feet till now, though pain in legs sometimes. The pain at lower back starts like a spasm and radiates allaround. My doc has asked me to be on bed rest and go for physio from next week onwawrds. It already been 4 weeks of horizontal state. Recovery part is going to be slow as this is a central disc prolapse.

I seem to be in double trouble. My car is a baleno and my wife's car is a zen (the old zen- not estilo) . all this while i was some how against these tall boy cars as i found them extreemly funny. With low slung cars i used to feel a kind of connect with the car as one is deeply seated in the car... (may sound funny). i have been thinking of changing zen to safari probably. This lumber thing is a new dimension to car hunting. will start doing that once i am declared fit to drive.

[vivekiny2k]

Originally Posted by Steeroid

I'm sorry - I havent seen this bit of research, but based on personal experience I can confirm that the posture that is shown as 'right' on the diagram is the one that contributes most to lower back pain. Putting equal weight all around on your discs definitely feels better than putting more weight on any one part of your discs.

Hey steer, I think in this case, the weight is distributed on the backrest rather than skewed on the spinal section. hence better comfort. I have been doing it since my college. not saying it's good though.

only thing is the seat is shown horizontal, while i prefer it to be reclined back too, otherwise the body keeps sliding forward.

I have problems with my neck. whatever seat i have sat on (airplane, car, bus, train), it gives me neck pain. problem being it supports my lower back,, and rear of my head, leaving a large void in between. Possibly because of my thin frame. Am I the only one who feels all seats are a problem for the neck? why can't all these manufacturers provide some support under the neck?

[esteem_lover]

Originally Posted by shivmarwaha

I seem to be in double trouble. My car is a baleno and my wife's car is a zen (the old zen- not estilo) . all this while i was some how against these tall boy cars as i found them extreemly funny. With low slung cars i used to feel a kind of connect with the car as one is deeply seated in the car... (may sound funny). i have been thinking of changing zen to safari probably. This lumber thing is a new dimension to car hunting. will start doing that once i am declared fit to drive.

As long as you do not have numbness, it is a good sign.

Driving posture in a zen or a baleno, IMO is not bad at all. Ultimately, you have your back in the same position as you would have in a tallboy or a SUV. Only the angle of your legs/thighs that are different. Just taking enough breaks at appropriate times should be good enough along with doctor specified excercises.

[razor4077]

Originally Posted by brainscooper

Additionally, dump your Baleno as suggested by Steeroid, and go for a car where you can climb in and out as against crawling in and out.

Hi doc, welcome to the forum!
Apart from the climbing in/out factor, how is sitting in a low car detrimental to one's lower back? If the seat provides good lumbar support should that not suffice?

Also, since dumping our car may not be an option, how can we make things better? Anything particular that will help reduce the stress?

[iraghava]

Originally Posted by brainscooper

Additionally, dump your Baleno as suggested by Steeroid, and go for a car where you can climb in and out as against crawling in and out. The new diesel Fusion is an option if you drive nearly 100km a day, and is cheaper than an Innova. Just make sure you take the extended warranty and total maintenance plan.

Incidentally, I am a neurosurgeon, so all this is professional advise that you are getting for free (which means you cannot sue me!)

A Neurosurgeon & a car freak! Nice combo there doctor, I shall pester you later with some queries of my own about my slipped-disc problem too!

[esteem_lover]

Seems like everyone's discs have slipped like no one's business. All augurs well for neurosurgeons & orthopaedic surgeons, I am sure.

[Steeroid]

Originally Posted by iraghava

A Neurosurgeon & a car freak! Nice combo there doctor, I shall pester you later with some queries of my own about my slipped-disc problem too!

Come down to Kerala next year and he'll cut you open and take a look, I guess.

[ikoneer]

Sorry to hear that Shiv and hope you get well soon.

I am suffering with disc compression in the cervical area c3-7 and also a bit in lumbar ... and got admitted in hospital for a continuous tracking for about 5 days.. still the improvement does seem marginal only and with everyday drivign the pain seems to resurface again... hmm..need to check with another dr....

the advice given to me were...
1. exercies to stregnthen the back
2. posture
3. less strain...

i guess a 30 mts of yoga daily will greatly help...

as such i have started to look for a good driver for sometime...

more than the pain.. the process of getting the diagnosis and treatment period was very painful... .. and now i need to roll the entire process again...

[iraghava]

Originally Posted by Steeroid

Come down to Kerala next year and he'll cut you open and take a look, I guess.

Hmmm.... interesting! But I guess there must be an easier method to be tried before all the cutting-shutting stuff! I'm going to try that first!

[ikoneer]

Originally Posted by brainscooper

Incidentally, I am a neurosurgeon, so all this is professional advise that you are getting for free (which means you cannot sue me!)

Good Tips for everyone's benefit Dr. myself has undergone mri and ofund cervical disc prolapse in c3-7 and had radiating pain in my left side arms, with occassional numbness in my arms as well, was running around from cardiac to ortho to general physicians... after some continuous traction it seems to subside as of now and surfaces ocassionally.

guess exercising is the only way to stop the damage getting worse but that's the most difficuly part

[lohithrao]

Did get to sit in civic this afternoon, must say loved that seat.
it supports the back very well, which is missing in my ohc:(

[cheap_deal]

this being t-bhp the best advice i can give is STOP UPSIZING your tyres!. do you really need 17inchers on a sub 100 bhp swift or 19inchers on a 140bhp civic???????

i too think Recaro seats would give better support and you might want to try that too.

[esteem_lover]

Originally Posted by ikoneer

... hmm..need to check with another dr....

the advice given to me were...
1. exercies to stregnthen the back
2. posture
3. less strain...

I went to Dr. Alagappan in Alwarpet. He was wonderful, taught me 3 excercises & that was it. on the other hand, some other senior pros had suggested surgery, replacement of the disc etc. Please let me know if you need his number.

[phamilyman]

Originally Posted by vivekiny2k

I have problems with my neck. whatever seat i have sat on (airplane, car, bus, train), it gives me neck pain. problem being it supports my lower back,, and rear of my head, leaving a large void in between. Possibly because of my thin frame. Am I the only one who feels all seats are a problem for the neck? why can't all these manufacturers provide some support under the neck?

There are two variants to the above:
a. a neck pillow types thing which gets stuck onto the headrest. costs some 400-2000 types in different pseud shops i checked.
b. china shop, malviya nagar delhi had inflatable ones - 99 bucks for two.
Here is sample pic. I besharamly carry one into airplanes, taxis, wherever i remember to take it. Used it last apr-dec, 50km roundtrip office cab commute - slept peacefully on Indica's front seat reclined and neck comforted.


of course, the more adept people please correct me, this was just some jugaad that worked for me

addendum: for guys who drive themselves, this would need to be affixed on, or some such attempt. being a biker, have zero clue about that