Seat Cushion Questions??? (Sore Butt, legs, ect)

Discussion in 'Driver Health' started by yleecoyote23, Apr 9, 2010.

  1. yleecoyote23

    yleecoyote23 Bobtail Member

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    Feb 19, 2010
    san angelo, tx
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    Here's the problem: I am experiencing ALOT of pain the past few weeks. My tailbone, thighs (and even my bal*s :biggrin_2556:) are hurting to the point of almost tears at times.

    For the past two years I was driving a Pete 379 that had the factory cloth seat without any real concerns or unusual aches and pains. The seat just seemed to fit. Now I'm in this Columbia and the first month or so were fine, but now the pains have begun. I have been averaging 2700 - 3000 miles per week so there is a lot of seat time......

    So.......since I know I won't be getting a new seat :biggrin_25513:(that would be wishful thinking!!), what aftermarket seat cushion do you use or what advice would you give in a case like this?

    I searched and couldn't find any similar threads.....

    Thanks!!!!
     
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2010
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  3. OTRdoctor

    OTRdoctor Bobtail Member

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    Apr 11, 2010
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    YLEECOYOTE23, I have been a chiropractor for 23 years and taken care of 100s of truckers. I retired 3 years ago and bought a T600 Kenworth and drove OTR for a year until we had completed a move to WI. Anyway from the standpoint of a trucker/ chiro the best cushion for both back pain and leg pain is one that you sit on that is wedge shaped and tips the tailbone forward while taking pressure off the backs of the legs. Also you need to make sure that the seat base itself has the front edge as low as it can be and the back edge higher than the front. If the front edge of the seat is higher it's like sitting in a bucket and that folding of your midsection is compressive to the low back discs. Google seat wedge. Also I saw some good ones at Iowa80. Good Luck
     
    Roadhound, Fyr, shriner75 and 6 others Thank this.
  4. yleecoyote23

    yleecoyote23 Bobtail Member

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    Feb 19, 2010
    san angelo, tx
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    Thanks OTRdoctor!!! I will see if I can find a seat wedge and will go adjust my seat like you suggested (it may already be that way, but I will make sure!)
     
  5. yleecoyote23

    yleecoyote23 Bobtail Member

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    Feb 19, 2010
    san angelo, tx
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    OTRdoctor, I ordered a wedge with a tailbone cutout in the back of it. I also noticed that the front edge of my seat was set on its highest level, I dropped it to the lowest level. I will be driving about 600 miles tomorrow (and Tues and Wed) and see how it goes. Then hopefully I will get the new wedge pillow in the mail by Thurs or Fri.....

    Thanks again for the info.
     
    Fyr Thanks this.
  6. OTRdoctor

    OTRdoctor Bobtail Member

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    Apr 11, 2010
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    Yleecoyote23, A seat wedge cushion is an orthopedic support so it will sometimes take your back a little while to get used to. Don't get down if it really feels different at first. Some drivers have to use it for a couple hours at a time until it is broken in. Others love it from the get-go. Just be patient with it and you will soon not want to leave home without it. I also hope that you got a good one. Some of the wedges out there are hard as a rock at first and take a while to soften. Others are real soft but don't last real long. Try a few if you have to. I am glad you are trying. It's folks like you that will take action and get relief by changing a few things and preventing huge problems with their back. Enjoy driving
     
    simplyred1962, yleecoyote23 and Fyr Thank this.
  7. yleecoyote23

    yleecoyote23 Bobtail Member

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    Feb 19, 2010
    san angelo, tx
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    I appreciate it Doc! I am looking forward to giving it a try. After adjusting my seat as you suggested (with the front dropped) I can tell a pretty good difference already after over 1100 miles yesterday and today. I think it took a lot of pressure off my lower back. I will surely let you know how the new cushion works out after getting it broken in. It was a little more expensive (39.00 shipped)than a lot of the others so hopefully it will be a good quality one.
    Thanks again!!! Danny
     
  8. Rolloff Truck Driver

    Rolloff Truck Driver Bobtail Member

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    Apr 16, 2010
    Houston,Tx
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    You know you could just buy pillows and sit on them. Thats how I used to cushion myself.
     
  9. yleecoyote23

    yleecoyote23 Bobtail Member

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    Feb 19, 2010
    san angelo, tx
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    The Freedom Seat cushion by Contour Products is the one I bought and I HIGHLY recommend this wedge cushion to anyone reading this that has had problems with your seat!!
    I have experienced an amazing improvement the past two weeks since I got it.....(over 5600 miles so it was a pretty good test!)

    Thanks again OTRdoctor!!!!
     
    simplyred1962 Thanks this.
  10. noguns3

    noguns3 Light Load Member

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    Jan 7, 2007
    Minnetonka, MN
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    I have a "pleather" seat so its slippery. Does this cushion hold to that type of seat? I have had problems with other cushions (pillows) because of the material my seat is made of. Hope it hols, because I just ordered one from their website!!!
     
  11. yleecoyote23

    yleecoyote23 Bobtail Member

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    Feb 19, 2010
    san angelo, tx
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    noguns, mine is "pleather" with a cloth insert in the center, and this cushion holds very well. If it does slide around on your seat, I would think that you could put something on the bottom of the cushion to keep it from sliding around.
    I have been amazed at the relief I have gotten from this wedge!
     
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