Low Back pain while driving?

Low Back pain while driving?I have low back pain between the sacrum and the coccyx. The muscles to the left tend to spasm. It was better for a while, but a few days ago it started hurting again when I was overdoing things.

I've had X-rays in the past so I know it's nothing dangerous like a slipped disk or pinched nerve.

When driving or even being a passenger the pressure (or even just sitting) the pain has been excruciating, so I've been trying to lie down mostly.

If I do need to be driving/driven, do you have suggestions for how I can make the trip more bearable? To take the pressure off the spine?

Is it okay that I'm in the car if it hurts that much? I mean, since the X-rays were fine, I don't have a big risk of further injuring the spine, right? Or should I be cautious and not be in the car until it feels better?

So far, I've been lying down alternating ice and heat, using lydocaine patches, and voltaren gel.

Answer by Tink
Car seats are not exactly designed for back comfort ;)
Take a look at these....
http://www.footsmart.com/C-Seat-Cushions-225.aspx

Answer by Flashflood
Tink is correct that car seats are not designed for comfort. Some car maker's seats are worse than others....like the Ford Escort. :-( Likely because it slopes the buttocks down ward and leave the knees elevated which puts more pressure on your lower back.
In fact I was driving an Escort when I had low back pain. The physical therapist I was seeing at that time recommended using a pillow under the butt to help raise your hips above (or at least even) with the knees.
Speaking physical therapists...you might try going to one to help. Consider seeing a sports doctor first....general practitioners don't have enough knowledge. Note that the pain might not be originating from your spine at all, but from your hips...particularly your SI (sacroiliac) joint. Most doctors don't think to check there for problems. The pain and symptoms you describe sound exactly like mine were and it took nearly a 1/2 a year of going to a doctor and yes, even to physical therapy (because the PT was following the doctor's orders to focus on the spine) before the PT said...it was NOT my spine but my SI joints. I never went back to the doctor, the PT just called him and had him write a new order for the PROPER treatment needed.

Answer by MrNeutral
Just go to a chiropractor. It isn't a chemical imbalance, whey would you go to a Dr that prescribes drugs? It is a structural problem. You need correction and exercise.

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