Back Pain Hints and Tips on Choosing a Car if you have Back Pain Issues or
Sciatica Symptoms. Eight essential checks.
If you have back pain
or sciatica symptoms or one of the many back pain conditions you may want to
think about a few extra points when the time comes to be choosing your next
car. As sitting in a car and driving was the worst thing for me when I got
back pain and sciatica and always aggravated my pain significantly this is a
subject close to my heart…and my back!
Wouldn’t it be nice
if all we had to concern ourselves with was the colour,
sleekness, safety features, performance and all the great gadgets? You will
have your own priorities for any vehicle you want to purchase such as space,
petrol/gas consumption, eco friendliness, child safety features, room for
dogs etc. You know what your needs and wishes are on all those points.
So now whether it
is a brand new car or new to you what additional points do we need to take
into account if we have back pain and sciatica?
- Look for a car
you can get in and out of easily and without aggravating your back pain
or sciatic symptoms too much. Cars that are positioned too high or
especially too low may prove difficult for you to negotiate with a bad
back in the long term. The sales folk may think you are crazy, but do
get in and out of the car several times and see how it feels to you. See
if it is comfortable to enter and exit and if it feels difficult, you
get spasms or additional pain or it gets progressively awkward for your
back it is likely not right for you.
- If the cars
steering wheel tilts this may make it easier for you to get in and out
of with back issues, ask if it has this feature and try it out. Test how
easy it is for you to operate.
- Power steering is
wonderful and will help you a lot if you have upper or lower back pain
and sciatica. Most cars do have this now but do check.
- Check out the
seat controls and test just how adjustable they really are. Ideally
every feature including headrests, seat position, easy forward and
backward adjustment, lumbar support, and tilt should be adjustable and
if the adjustments are automatic that is all for the better. I have
struggled to find a car seat with sufficient lumbar support to keep me
and my back happy (in my price range!) so if you have back pain and you
find a lumbar support helps you take it along and see how it works for
you in the test drive.
- Examine if the
seats have heat controls. If they do this can be great to be able to
switch on soothing heat while you travel which can ease aching muscles
and help to lessen stiffness in your back muscles incurred in driving.
It would also save the need to carry heat pads for your journey. However
if it doesn’t have heat controls, or you have to pay a lot extra for
them using heat pads is good alternative.
- Inspect the boot
or trunk. Test how easy it is for you to open and close it. Bear in
mind that you will often be lifting items, some heavy, in and out of it.
The shallower the boot and flatter the lip or overhang of the boot/trunk
edge, the better for your back. Lifting suitcases or shopping bags into
a deep boot/trunk is often difficult for people with back issues.
- Check how easy it
is for you to reach all the controls in the vehicle, both for the
driving controls and the maintenance controls. Are you able to manage
the essentials such as lifting the bonnet or hood of the car to inspect
the oil, water e.t.c.
- It is essential
you take a thorough test drive to ensure the vehicle meets all of your
needs. You need to know how it feels to drive the vehicle for some time
in a variety of situations to judge the impact on your back. Take it on
a variety of roads and try to choose a vehicle with good suspension
which minimizes any bumps and jarring on your back.
So as with most things
in life if you are coping with back pain and sciatica symptoms or other back
pain issues you just may need to take a little more care over your choice of
vehicle. It is worth taking the time over it, checking out the vehicle in
WHICH guide
http://www.which.co.uk/reports_and_campaigns/cars/index.jsp
and asking questions.
Most of all you need to test it out thoroughly.
Your back will
thank you for it!
If you are interested in learning
more about a way to get rid of the back pain and sciatica
read
about the lose the back pain system for great back pain and sciatica relief exercises, back pain
information, support and expertise to help you get rid of the
back pain and sciatica.
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Copyright January 2007
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