Fabric / Cloth Seats and Lower Back Pain

Hi z...,

I had this problem, and resolved it with a seat pad. The issue was the lumbar support , although there, is too high for me, when my weight compressed the seat pan cushions. So, I made some cushions from high density foam for the seat pan. This lifted me up, aligning my lumbar region with the seats lumbar support.

 

I have had chronic lower back pain fo 40 years. I have used a lumbar pillow in my cars and trucks for many years to relieve the pain. The kind with memory foam seem to work the best.
Try it.

 

+1, can't sit for ten minutes without it, often sit for 12 hours with it.


Duro-Med Lumbar Cushion with Strap, Navy, 14 x 13

 

Has the worst support in any car I've had in years (Prius II). My last trip of 90 minutes (is an absolute eternity in that seat without some extra support) I just folded up a towel and it worked great.

One of the great frustrations of my life is chairs made without even an inkling of consideration for proper spine alignment.

 

Ut oh- I am planning on buying a II in the next week or 2. Maybe I need to rent one and do a long trip? I have had back problems in the past.

 

A rental is a good idea but it can take at least 3 hours for discomfort to show up.

 

Well- I think I'm buying and hoping for the best. My Gf has a Rav 4 and I have had no back problems- anyone know how those seats compare?

 

I had the same problem when we first got our Prius and I know this sounds too simple and it will not work for everyone but I leaned my seat back just one stop farther than I would usually keep it. I haven't had a problem since.

 

The lack of straps is good, kiss "keep it simple stupid", just don't sit on it when you get in, then adjust it exactly where you want it once you're in and it stays.

 

+1 to zyx345's comment. i have one of those cheap stretchy mesh lumbar supports.. super cheap... and works wonderfully... it feels like it's not there most of the time.. i rest my elbow on the edge of it at times.. i really really like them.

 

I've a set of Clazzios waiting to be installed... but plan first to get a professional auto upholstery shop to fit a memory foam lumbar support under the standard fabric... and then install seat heaters between the fabric and the Clazzios.

I tried the Wal-Mart air thing... worked pretty well, but wouldn't want it under the Clazzios, with the heaters, etc.

 

I have major back problems which I was born with. My last car was very uncomfortable and I did have to use a lumbar support in it. I have found that by adjusting the tilt of the seat I have no problems with back pain in my Prius.

 

I will have to try the tilt further back too. I LOVE the car, but could not understand why my sciatic nerve hurt after long drives, causing me to limp for about 20 seconds until the blood flow started again. I bought a memory foam lumbar support and it has really helped, but it doesn't stay put and always has to be positioned.

Man, I thought it was just me....

 

I bought one of those Medi supports but it doesn't fit real well between my back and the seat, maybe I need to do the custom install under the cloth. hmmmm./.....

 

One of the reasons I bought the IV was because it was the first level that had a seat with an adjustable lumbar support.

The seats were comfortable for two years, but after two years of wear, I had to augment the seat cushions by removing the seats and inserting one inch upholstery foam between the springs and existing foam. This restored the cushioning and made them comfortable again. Toyota seats in general are not as good as they once were.