Hi all just wondering if anyone else has had this problem. Since owning my 5 I am increasingly struggling with sciatic pain in my leg . I have suffered for a good few years with sciatica but have learned how to manage it by the way I get in and out of cars but because my Mx5 is low down I have to be extra careful,I generally do that by holding the top of the window and the door and lower myself into the seat which helps but if I go on a lengthy drive this is where I find the damage is done ! Wondering if anyone else has had this and if their is anything on the market to help matters.would hate to give up my 5 for the sake of this.
Thirty odd years ago I woke up on a Monday morning unable to move, I could not even roll over to get out of bed. It eventually took five minutes, instead of the normal half a second. GP was useless and in the end the young doctor in Casualty (I somehow managed to drive there after the GP) diagnosed inflammation in the lower vertebrae as a side effect of osteoarthritis. He told me that I had shut down the pain so much that I did not notice him sticking a pin into my legs.
The immediate cure (two or three days) was diclofenac sodium, however he also gave me long term advice after discovering I was driving an hour each way every day in a very comfortable car (seats made by Recaro) to and from a mostly desk-job.
The long term cure was Mobility. I needed to move the seating position for every journey (rake, reach, height, lumbar, seat and wheel) so that I avoided repetitive vibration damage on the same bits of my spine, also take more exercise for core strength, but most specifically low-impact high flexibility. Running was definitely not allowed. So I went swimming near work instead of eating lunch, and I took a five minute “thinking” walk almost every hour at work. My back got better, and surprisingly so did my thinking.
I still swim for a couple of miles a couple of times every week with a variety of strokes, even though now long retired. My back still hurts sometimes, after gardening perhaps, but never that blinding pain, and rarely so much I need an anti-inflammatory. I can even do a few weeks skiing each year - the young doctor encouraged me to keep doing the ski-fit exercises!
And while my MX5 seat is less comfortable than the old Astra (perhaps a good thing?), I’m not racking up 20,000+ miles a year half-asleep round the M25 in it. I do sufficient “flexibility” exercise that the driving is not a problem like it used to be.
Not sure what Mk your MX5 is but I replaced my Mk1 seats with Mk 2.5 leather seats which for me are very comfortable and have the advantage of being a bit higher so easier to get in and out of
My 1998 NB had fabric seats which made my lower back ache after only a short time (I have a history of back problems; I sustained three separate injuries in the past mainly due to an over-adventurous childhood). The lower rear seat cushion seemed to have lost all support - if it ever had any.
I also bought a pair of black leather NB FL seats and it has transformed my comfort when driving the car. I think they look far classier, too.
The sciatic nerve is at the top of your leg, hence the term sciatica. Also in the worst possible place at the junction at the rear of the upper leg and the derrier. Sciatica is caused by lengthy compression of the nerve, which makes sitting anywhere extremely uncomfortable and painful.
I experienced this Christmas before last, after driving for over five hours from Brighton back to Nottingham. Only chance to stop for a rest was first stopover at the services on the M1, but the pain didn’t start till next day. A usual the M25 was a nightmare. Went to the GP, and they diagnosed sciatica, explaining the why’s and wherefores. Only suggestion - painkillers (which I tend to avoid like the plague)
From my point of view - the end of long drives, and a search for good foam, which finally turned up when my son left a large piece behind when he went to Brighton. Took (from memory) about three months to clear up, so I avoid sitting uncomfortably for any length of time anywhere. It’s not pleasant,. So much for Mk2.5 seat comfort, though my Son and I took 12 hours thee years ago to arrive at our destination in France - six hours each driving - and no ill effects after. Presumably it’s another part of getting old. with arteries and veins aging and unable to take continual pressure for any protracted period.
I had a slipped disc many years ago, and no treatment for that either, but I have learned to stay clear of cold drafts, as they tend to provoke back pain. You name it, I’ve had an Op for just about everything, though fortunately nothing broken. Next round coming shortly - - - -
One word answer “Acupuncture”. I had bad sciatica in my left leg that nearly put paid to my driving, however my partner suggested acupuncture and I gave it a go. That was 7/8 years ago and no return since…
Another one for acupuncture, since 2001 I have not had a problem after attending a specialist. This was after 4 years of pain which at times made my cry I kid you not.
Now I drive our MX5 pain free for hours on end and best of all sleep well.
Not tried acupuncture but certainly would. My 2 weeks with sciatica after a bad mountain bike fall was ended after a short session of physiotherapy at the local hospital. As a long section of the nerve was effected I could not sleep. It just amazed me how a little, very subtle treatment could instantly free me from this horrendous torture. Any skepticism of alternative treatments went right out the window.
Long term strategy to avoid recurrence is targeted exercise and an intelligent effort to avoid the situations that will predictably cause the problem - far easier said than done!
Not sure whether the original poster’s suffering is caused by a combination of maneuvering in and out of the car and the driving position or more likely just the maneuvering?
If it is just getting in and out of the car I would suggest the way forward is to investigate, possibly with the assistance of a professional, techniques that avoid the specific body twisting and weight transfer that exacerbates the problem. Huge forces are applied in these supposedly simple actions and when the maths is explained not difficult to understand why there can be resulting issue.
Thanks for all the advice I have had chyropractic therapy but not considered acupuncture (not to keen on long needles ) I always keep my MX in the garage which has limited space to open the door and when I get in and out I can feel round the sciatic region is being put under strain.I don’t get that when tha car is on the drive.
They can vary from believeable charlatans to ineffectual depending on clients susceptibility to placebo effects. Not all of them though.
Frankly, the two Mrs ScottishFiver ended up with 8 years ago only served to make her case worse and indeed almost ended her teaching career prematurely.
You would, amongst other advice here, perhaps benefit more from using a professional sports coach/ injury clinician to set a gentle but progessive program of exercises.
A former pupil of hers took her in hand and helped her back to fitness. Ironic.
The more strength you can develop in your core will prove to the good.
Everyone is different, and degrees of the issue are infinately variable, but in her case from barely being able to get out of bed some days, she now attends the gym 4 days per week, spends 2 hours doing easy stretching exercises, and now at the age of 66 lifts a 15 kilo bag in “■■■■-lift” sets 15 times x 3, and the same in squats amongst other things. Now she jumps in and out the 5 with ease and drives around no problem.
I’d definately make a GP appointment first and get your own medical advice as to remedial exercises.
With a good acupuncture practitioner you don’t know the needles are in place. My guy attaches a small vibrating electrical device to two of the needles, similar to what a physio uses to relax your muscles. Great results on a number of occasions. My back, my partners shoulder etc etc
I was literally “grounded” about fifteen years ago when I suffered a major back injury and my lower spine went into a very severe spasm which twisted my upper body laterally by four inches. I couldn’t do much else for a month except lie on my back, on the floor, on 1200 mg of Codeine painkillers a day (how to turn into a zombie - I will never take codeine again). The private surgeon I saw took X-rays and an MRI scan which showed I had three prolapsed discs and two displaced vertebra. I was told that my problems were basically inoperable, or at least the risks of a single operation were unlikely to be justified by the likely result. I was told it was my choice to either have the operation (Apparently I might have needed three or more) or instead I could try and recover without and try any method of pain relief that suited me. In the end I couldn’t work for almost four months.
I elected not to have the operations. Acupuncture was one of the pain relief methods I tried. I was recommended to visit a Chinese lady who had studied, lectured and taught the traditional art in China for many years before she moved to UK. She was very scathing of how the practice was allowed in UK. She told me that it is possible for anyone without other medical qualifications to take a three week course in “needle sticking” and then is allowed to set themselves up as a practitioner… so “Caveat Emptor”!
I had six sessions at her clinic and I found it very unpleasant and painful. Although it slightly numbed the pain it worked no more effectively than paracetamol did for me. I certainly won’t be doing that ever again but she sold me some Chinese medicine muscle rub which I’ve still got and it still works!
I had more success with a chiropractor who had a clinic at our local health centre; I’ve been back to him a few times over the years when the pain gets unmanageable (my spine will never now fully recover - my chassis outriggers are shot) and so far he has been able to crack everything back into place in a couple of sessions.
There’s some good advice on here Steve, both on improving your seating and keeping fit.
I’ve experienced a lot of lower back pain in the last few years and I would recommend finding a good physio who specialises in lower back/sciatica problems.
Mine uses a little acupuncture to ease the muscles while manipulating and then giving me stretching excercises to improve core strength.
Most of these excercises are in fact Pilates moves and she suggested trying Pilates classes which I’ve found very helpful.
I’m 69 and a regular gym/swim goer plus the Pilates classes.
