Lumbar support cushion

[kprida77]

I've got a bit of a bad back (lumbar area) which causes pain driving (pain in right thigh, sciatica type of thing, damn annoying). Looking at the grasmere website for skoda accessories ( ) there's a lumbar support cushion for the Octavia.

Anyone got one of these? Is it any good?

[Jonno VRs]

I don't know but would instead recommend the services of a good chiropractor!

[bahnstormer vrs]

Originally Posted by Jonno VRs

I don't know but would instead recommend the services of a good chiropractor!

.... or an Osteopath. Seriously; it isn't totally your back (I know I've suffered for years).

If you study the alignment of the seat, steering wheel and pedals you'll see that the pedals, particularly the accelerator, are slightly off to the right. this when coupled with a common habit of sitting with legs bent and knees splayed leads to the aforesaid sciatic pain and tension in the right hamstring.

The cure, I found, is quite simple. Set your driving position as follows;

1. seat base quite low
2. seat quite far back so that your legs are pretty straight, allowing for use of the clutch without overly stretching, and have your knees reasonably close together
3. backrest fairly upright, and finally
4. adjust steering wheel so that with your arms straight you can rest the underside of your wrists on the top of the wheel.

The main point of this is to sit with your legs fairly straight and knees no more than 12" apart. give it a go.

PS> Not sure about any lumbar supports; the seats in the Octy are pretty good for OEM units, although not quite up to SAAB or Volvo standard.

[kprida77]

I've been seeing a physio for a bit, after he's released the offending muscle(s)/cracked my back it all tends to ease off a bit.

I've actually got the seat pretty much like that, the only slight problem I have is lanky legs its which means to get the wrist on the steering wheel position I'm scrunched right forward. I'll keep in mind the "dont spread your legs" thing though.

The problem I find is I find the lumbar support doesnt seem to quite give that "shove in the back" I was hoping for. I'm sure it used to be better, perhaps the seats "bedded in".

Ta for the comments.

[bahnstormer vrs]

Originally Posted by kprida77

I've actually got the seat pretty much like that, the only slight problem I have is lanky legs its which means to get the wrist on the steering wheel position

Do remember the steering wheel adjusts for reach and can be pulled quite near to you.

[cheezemonkhai]

Originally Posted by kprida77

I've been seeing a physio for a bit, after he's released the offending muscle(s)/cracked my back it all tends to ease off a bit.

I've actually got the seat pretty much like that, the only slight problem I have is lanky legs its which means to get the wrist on the steering wheel position I'm scrunched right forward. I'll keep in mind the "dont spread your legs" thing though.

The problem I find is I find the lumbar support doesnt seem to quite give that "shove in the back" I was hoping for. I'm sure it used to be better, perhaps the seats "bedded in".

Ta for the comments.

Agree, ask your physio about the lubar cushions as mine sold them.

Much better and they have an elastic strap for keeping it on the seat

[Tom_vRS]

I find the vRS seat lacking in lumbar, almost enough to suggest perhaps its broken! The Passat had great lumbar support, I seriously miss those seats

Generally I find the Octy seat comfy, but not supportive enough. And after 2 hrs or so driving I'm ready to get out for a walk... In the old Passat I did 4hr stints without drama.

[Octavia5]

Have had a back problem for years and my company spent many thousands of pounds on Chiros. Osteos and Physios for me. In the end found that a little Chiro was good but going for too long - several years - was actually making things worse.

Anyway - I use the back rest of one of these (backrest can be bought on its own) -

Display Products

and find it gives just the right amount of lumbar support. I also use a Lakeland 3.5inch Quick Clip (sold for sealing freezer bags) clipped over the lap part of the seat belt and pulled firmly against the buckle. This holds the seat belt tight across the lap and so holds you back into the seat and stops the tendancy to slide forward which negates any lumbar support - works like a poor mans CG Lock

I have used this on track days and Santa Pod runs and it really makes a difference to the comfort and support the seat provides.

[IJWS15]

If you are getting pain in the leg then you have a herniated disc (I had and could not sit down for more than 10 minutes at a stretch for a couple of weeks).

The Physio sorted it over about 10 weeks and that pain has gone - if your physio has not got it to improve then they are giving you the wrong exercises.

I find, and this is on the physio's advice, that the most important thing is to have the seat base low at the front - yes I know it means having it high. That causes the pelvis to tilt forward putting the lower back in the correct shape. If you have the seat front high, or the seat low and your knees high with feet flat on the floor you are tilting the pelvis the wrong way and putting the lower back into the wrong curve.

Oddly when mine was at its worst I could only sit for 10 minutes at home efore bing in agony, I could sit in the car (previous Honda Accord) for hours. At one stage I considered sleeping in the car! It had independent adjustment of the height of the front and back of the seat base. Just about got the Octavia seat right now, was in it for 5 hours this morning (Livingstone - Rugeley).

[jawsnpaws]

[quote=Tom_vRS;1274434]I find the vRS seat lacking in lumbar, almost enough to suggest perhaps its broken! The Passat had great lumbar support, I seriously miss those seats

Very interesting ! My old mk 1 Octavia had a great lumbar support in both front seats and I was disappointed with the driving seat of my new Scout - after only one week , it collapsed and failed to work at all . The technician back at the garage said , " I thought they had solved that problem " - apparently it has been a common failing and a new frame has been ordered .

I will report back when the job is completed .


Steve W