My 2010 Prius Causing Me Back Problems!

[Steve Cebu]

I guess I should explain. Yesterday I went on my first really long drive, about 3 hours each way. I had the seat set so I was comfortable in it and drove about 3 hours non-stop driving. I do the same drive in my wifes Honda Fit with no problems.
My back and rear end by my spine were hurting.
I do have back problems because I fractured my spine after slipping on black ice and having my spine land on the edge of a concrete stair from 7 feet up. I was lucky I wasn't paralyzed at that time.
I've driven and owned a few cars since then but for some reason this seat which *feels* comfortable is causing pain.
I've had similar, but not as bad pains in other cars, which is why I didn't buy them. Toyota Corolla's are impossible for me even as a passenger!
I really like this car, I like almost everything about it, but I can barely sit up today, not much better than last night.
I'm a bit worried because I don't know what I can do. I usually have sport seats in a car and those are usually firm. In previous cars, I've tried using cushions, back supporters etc... but they didn't help.
I know I can't change the seat because of all the airbags and the like. I did not have this problem with the car prior to my long drive. I've had no problems around town either.
Any suggestions? I mean I am in considerable pain and I'm sure it will go away but how do I resolve this so I can enjoy the car.
Yes, I have tried adjusting the seat in many many positions.
I appreciate any suggestions.
Steve

[dc202]

Originally Posted by Steve Cebu

I guess I should explain. Yesterday I went on my first really long drive, about 3 hours each way. I had the seat set so I was comfortable in it and drove about 3 hours non-stop driving. I do the same drive in my wifes Honda Fit with no problems.
My back and rear end by my spine were hurting.
I do have back problems because I fractured my spine after slipping on black ice and having my spine land on the edge of a concrete stair from 7 feet up. I was lucky I wasn't paralyzed at that time.
I've driven and owned a few cars since then but for some reason this seat which *feels* comfortable is causing pain.
I've had similar, but not as bad pains in other cars, which is why I didn't buy them. Toyota Corolla's are impossible for me even as a passenger!
I really like this car, I like almost everything about it, but I can barely sit up today, not much better than last night.
I'm a bit worried because I don't know what I can do. I usually have sport seats in a car and those are usually firm. In previous cars, I've tried using cushions, back supporters etc... but they didn't help.
I know I can't change the seat because of all the airbags and the like. I did not have this problem with the car prior to my long drive. I've had no problems around town either.
Any suggestions? I mean I am in considerable pain and I'm sure it will go away but how do I resolve this so I can enjoy the car.
Yes, I have tried adjusting the seat in many many positions.
I appreciate any suggestions.
Steve

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

[damack1]

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?

[The Electric Me]

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.

[jon5506]

Originally Posted by Steve Cebu

I guess I should explain. Yesterday I went on my first really long drive, about 3 hours each way. I had the seat set so I was comfortable in it and drove about 3 hours non-stop driving. I do the same drive in my wifes Honda Fit with no problems.
My back and rear end by my spine were hurting.
I do have back problems because I fractured my spine after slipping on black ice and having my spine land on the edge of a concrete stair from 7 feet up. I was lucky I wasn't paralyzed at that time.
I've driven and owned a few cars since then but for some reason this seat which *feels* comfortable is causing pain.
I've had similar, but not as bad pains in other cars, which is why I didn't buy them. Toyota Corolla's are impossible for me even as a passenger!
I really like this car, I like almost everything about it, but I can barely sit up today, not much better than last night.
I'm a bit worried because I don't know what I can do. I usually have sport seats in a car and those are usually firm. In previous cars, I've tried using cushions, back supporters etc... but they didn't help.
I know I can't change the seat because of all the airbags and the like. I did not have this problem with the car prior to my long drive. I've had no problems around town either.
Any suggestions? I mean I am in considerable pain and I'm sure it will go away but how do I resolve this so I can enjoy the car.
Yes, I have tried adjusting the seat in many many positions.
I appreciate any suggestions.
Steve

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

[web1b]

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.

[bedrock8x]

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.

[eaglesight333]

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

[ddtaylor99]

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

[web1b]

Originally Posted by ddtaylor99

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

Only Package IV and V.