Hopefully this is a good place to ask this. With so many vintage rides having little to no seat posture support. Thinking about this as I register for another summer of car shows. My 89 has flat seats, fixed seatback angle and height. Only adjustments are front/back, headrest height, and wheel tilt. Minnesota is a good 10 hour drive. I stop and stretch out every couple hours, especially because I am prone to DVTs. But by the time I’m 5-6 hours out, my neck and left shoulder blade are killing me. Between the neck and shoulder is even swelled up and poking out, like vertebrae area. I get out walk around and massage it for like 20-30 minutes to calm it down. Last year I stopped at Dollar General and bought a bunch of various pillows and towels to stuff and arrange in different ways, to little avail. I just tough out the rest of the trip, still stopping periodically. Thankfully by morning I’m good, but damn. Has anyone else experienced this taking long trips in your vintage rides? Any recommendations for back/neck supports? It’s almost like I need a wedge to sit more upright, and possibly something for my neck as well, since the factory headrest is just a small block. And why it’s only the left side I don’t know, but it’s the same every year. Doesn’t happen riding with other people. And I don’t take any of my other vehicles that far.
I have chronic neck and shoulder issues. Driving for hours at a time is a no go for me. My wife is prone to motion sickness so she prefers to drive anyway. We travel 1000+ miles each way to spend the holidays with her parents. Even from the passenger seat, it is a grueling trip. I got this before our last trip and it was a total game changer. Rechargeable via USB in the car. https://www.costco.com/sharper-imag...-percussion-massager-.product.4000188925.html Do you see a chiropractor and/or massage therapist/physical therapist? It sounds like you have a lingering injury that is irritated by long range driving. Even in my 2012 Camaro which has the most comfortable, supportive seats this is still a problem for me. From a lifetime of skateboards, skis, snowboards and bikes, I have crash and burned on my left shoulder to the point that stunt men and rodeo cowboys retire.
I am not a doctor, surgeon, chiropractor, or anything medical, but from what you describe it certainly sounds like it's the actual act of using your arms on the steering wheel that is causing the problem, since it is only the left side and doesn't happen with other people. I'm wondering if a tilt/telescopic steering wheel column could help to alleviate the problem? Without testing the theory in something it's hard to know for sure. Good luck with your search to find a solution - I'm interested to know how it goes for you.
I don’t have any previous injuries up top. And never been to a chiropractor. Always been told that the one thing they’re good at is keeping you coming back. But I think I’m gonna check one out, like when winter ends. It would probably be a lot more helpful if they could see me sitting in the subject seat. When I try stacking materials, I end up with my lower back unsupported which is no picnic either, and my neck only improved a little. So I definitely need a wedge for starters. I see them all over online for beds but nothing available locally to see what it’s like. So I’d probably be better getting some memory foam locally and experimenting. When it flares up, it’s even difficult to turn my head. So I definitely want to try and find a solution. That handheld massager, do you just use it all the time since you’re not driving? Or just at rest stops or whatever?
If I have my wallet in my back pocket while driving long distances, it will start bothering me after a couple of hours. I haven't driven the Crown Vic long distance in close to 20 years so I don't remember that much. I do change position quite a bit while driving (i.e. which hand I'm steering with, back angle, etc). If I stay in the same position too long my right shoulder blade starts burning. There are tons of lumbar and cushion supports you can buy that just sit on top of the seat so easy in and out. Might be worth a look. You may have to try a few before you find the right one for you.
Since I'm the passenger, I used it whenever I felt the need. Quite a bit, actually. It made all the difference on our trip this past holiday season. I'm 6' tall, and I feel like the armrests in the car (2013 Tesla Model S) are too high and keep my shoulders shrugged up. Not as far up as driving, but still enough to get me uncomfortable after some time. Since we are road tripping in a Tesla we are stopping every ~150 miles for a charge. That helps to get out and move a bit and let the dogs walk. (before the dogs, it was a first class flight for the holidays. The things we do for our furry friends, eh? Two days driving vs. first class flight with complimentary alcohol. ) Whether you have had an obvious injury or not, that is not normal and not good. Lumbar support in a seat is not going to help with that. It is all about your neck, shoulders and arms outstretched to the wheel. I have a short commute to work (2.5 miles each way). While I always preferred my seat to be leaned back with one hand at 12 o'clock and a smoke in the other hand... hmmm... left hand, left shoulder, quit smoking 14 years ago. I now adjust my seat to be more upright and keeping my shoulders back against the seat while still being able to reach the wheel. Cool vs comfort????
I looked at your garage, all three rigs listed are A-body cars. They always had sofa benches, split or not. They had no bolster support, no lumbar support. But, if you find a Tahoe/Suburban with adjustable lumbar, you can strip out the unit in toto, install it in your seat back. That'll help with your lower back. As for bolster, buy some cheap bed pillows, and cheap cargo straps. Put one pillow on each side of the seat bottom, underneath, then use the straps to tighten and raise the seat cushion. The only other thing would be your sitting posture. I'm 6'5" and 300 pounds, and I slip down while driving long distance. After each stop, when you sit back down, always draw yourself up straight as far as you can. Make sure your seat does not press against the backs of your upper legs, especially behind the knees. Hopefully, these suggestions will help.