My 2010 Prius Causing Me Back Problems!

Sorry to hear this. The Prius seats are definitely not the best. Have you tried the seat cushions with the cocyx (sp) cutout?

 

Steve,

I have no expertise to bring to this conversation: I'm admitting this upfront. I haven't ever owned a Prius (I have one on order), haven't sat in the seats, and don't have back problems. Come to think of it, feel free to stop reading now<g>.

I just wanted to ask whether the pain could be coincidental to your 3-hour drive. My mother has back problems, and they seem to crop up for any reason and no reason that she can think of. Sometimes it seems like particular shoes are a problem, sometimes sleeping in bad position, sometimes climbing some stairs... you name it. Maybe it's premature to blame the seats?

 

This is tough because you say the seats "feels comfortable" while you are using it, so it's hard to tell what part, or angle, or lack of cushion or abundance of cushion is causing the pain.

If this has been a problem for you in the past I'm sure you are aware of the tons of aftermarket cushions, pads, seat cover additions that can be purchased. I'd like to be of more help but I think it's just going to take a lot of experimenting with perhaps all these things, to find the magic combination.

Do you have any idea what part of the seat or what exactly about the position seems to be causing your pain? Lower back and rear end could be either the back cushion or the bottom cushion or both. That makes giving advice difficult. Again, I'm afraid you might have to experiment with "everything" available. There are so many products available along this line.

Back problems are tricky. I tweaked my back 15+ years ago, and mostly it doesn't bother me at all, unless I'm on an long airflight or some situation where I sit for hours. Perhaps the best advice might be to pull and stretch frequently. Because really the problem is manifesting from your back as agravated from the seats.

Good luck, experiment and stretch.

 

steve they sell message balls that covers thee back of the seat as well as the seat

 

It's best to rent one for a day or two first.
I rented a 2008 last year and drove it for a few hours over a weekend and realized I hated the drivers seat. I also noticed the center armrest made my elbow and forearm sore over time because the padding was so poor that I could feel the hard surface underneath.
You may not notice things like that in a typical 5 minute or even a long 20 minute test drive.
I plan to rent a 2010 as soon as one of the local dealers adds the new model to their rental fleet and then I will be able to decide if the Prius will stay on my list of potential next cars.

 

Have you tried to adjust the lumber support on the seat?
I have similar problem and I usually set the lumber support to the highest or hardest setting. One more thing, I loosen my belt by one or two notches when I starting to feel uncomfortable on long drives.

 

Steve, if you can afford it. Go see an Osteopath. They tend to be able to help people with various muscle and back issues.

 

Do all 2010 Prius models have Lumbar adjustment or just the fancy ones?

 

Only Package IV and V.

 

Steve,
You might try one of those memory foam seat supports sold in stores.
The model 2 that you have won't have the lumbar support, I believe.
Hope This Helps

 

I've had back and neck problems for years(58 yo-beat my body up when I was young), and I avoided long car trips because of those problems.
We do very long trips now-1500 miles one way-26 hours driving-and I arrive pain free.
How?-I do exercises while driving, and I stop every 2 hours to walk around a bit.
I also change position every 10-15 minutes-move the seat forward or back a little-change the seat angle slightly etc
The main exercise is pelvic thrusts-yes, looks weird, and it is exactly what it sounds like.While holding onto the wheel-dig your feet into the carpet-BE CAREFUL- AND THRUST UPWARD ABOUT 10X.Repeat this every 15 minutes- I also do isometrics-upper body-on the steering wheel. At rest stops I find an unobtrusive way to do a few pushups-and put down a piece of newspaper to do a few crunches.

Yes, it is a little "odd" but it works.We-Humans-aren't really built to hold one position for hours on end.Change position frequently-do the lower back thrusts-upper body stuff and crunches.
It works, and it is free.
Hope your back is better-luck. I also hunted seats, pads, etc, but eventually all my pillows and such failed me.
I'm not sure why the exercise works.It might be something as simple as taking the constant force/pressure off the most sensitive area for 20-30 seconds every 15 minutes..Maybe it has something to do with actually strengthening the area, or maybe just activating the circuits that suppress pain. I don't really know-but it works,so....
Charlie

PS-You do have to be careful to adjust your seat so you can actually safely thrust without your feet slipping-wear grippy shoes-move the wheel upward a bit. Keep your eyes focused downroad while doing the exercise. You will eventually be able to do it as a mindless sort of fidget. I actually do a thrust followed by a sort of isometric crunch. Yeah, sounds funny.

 

Sorry about your back problems, but if you can visit a 'Relax the Back' type of store, get some help.

It shouldn't be a great mystery as to what is causing so much problems. It's just a seat after all. Find out what is missing. Lacking lumbar support? etc...

Other than that, hope you can exercise, stretch regularly.

we have this great stretching exercise book -

ISBN-10: 0-936070-22-6

hope that helps.

 

Steve, if it's your cocyx, try a donut style pillow (they're sold as Cocyx Pillows). It may sound odd, but it works to take the pressure off and help your lower back too. I had one when I broke my tailbone - it was my salvation and I took it everywhere. I needed it for about 6mos.

 

Steve, sorry to hear about your back problem. Don't know if this will be of any interest to you, but I have a truly wonderful and unusual chiropractor in Boston who might be able to steer you in the right direction on making the Prius pain-free. He's not a usual chiropractor at all and he has a very strong interest in ergonomics. I go to him regularly and find him invaluable. I suspect he could help you figure out exactly what the ergonomic problem is with the Prius seat and/or driving position. It seems to me that without that knowledge it's hard to determine the best fix. His info:

Dr. Chris Standring
(617) 275-9049
[email protected]
www.bostoncst.com/html/slideshow.php
581 Boylston St - Suite 504C
Boston MA 02116

His fees are very reasonable and often covered by insurance. He always wants to talk to a prospective client on the phone first to see if it seems worthwhile to have an office visit. If Boston is too far to come, maybe there's someone in your area who could help you figure this out as well (and perhaps he knows someone). If you go, I strongly suggest you bring x-rays and other records showing exactly what's going on with your back.

I've been following your experiences as I am strongly considering buying a 2010 Prius myself here in the Boston area. Your unhappiness with the steering concerns me, as I've been driving an Audi A4 wagon for 11 years. Phenomenal steering, handling, and (for its time at least, safety); horrendous reliability and repair costs. I'll be trying to arrange a Prius test drive soon to see how it feels.

Good luck.....

Bill

 

Hi Steve,

Check this out: Coccyx cushions and supports

 

Just your coccyx-I should have read the whole post, not just the heading. There are lots of gadgets donuts etc that can keep the pressure off it.You won't have to dump your car for this-it can be worked around.
Years ago I dinged my tailbone-wrestling- it was exquisitely painful for the whole season+ 2 months.I wouldn't have ever thought that something so tiny that is sat on all the time,could be so painful to sit on.
Get your weight off it-sit on your thighs and buttocks.Maybe use two strips of memory foam to slightly elevate your coccyx -have the foam under your legs butt and your coccyx will just be hanging in the air,so to speak- a bit like a toilet seat.
I know folks don't like to take meds see MDs, but a steroid injection/mixed with a local would certainly "cure" your pain for now.
A pair of bike shorts with the gel inserts/chamois might help a little also.


Luck,
Charlie

 

I'm sorry to hear about your pain mate.

Please keep us posted if you find a resonable solution so that others in the same position may be helped by it.