Do you drive an automatic or manual?

[longroadahead]

Most of my cars have been manual transmissions and have read that shifting puts pressure on your lower back. While I don't doubt this to be true I have a hard time justifying getting rid of my manual just for this.

Went to a conservative treatment dr. and she thought my pain is mostly caused by a small tear in my lower back. Will be starting PT next month for about 5 weeks.

Anyone have any thoughts on the automatic vs manual transmissions?

[Ruby]

I've had problems with my spine dating back 15 years. Initially manual transmission wasn't a problem but as my back problems intensified it became more & more difficult. At the time it was a difficult decision to make as I had not long since bought a brand new car but as luck would have it soon after that my back problems escalated at such a rapid rate. I've been driving an automatic for about 9 years now & it's such a godsend.

I've never looked back as far as my spine is concerned! It's sooooo much easier.

[annapurna]

Laura and I have been driving manuals through all of her problems. If the pressure on the clutch leads to back problems is there equivalent problems from stop and go traffic with all the braking? We live in the middle of nowhere with little traffic but Laura hates driving in the city. With this question, I wonder if there was an unconscious reason behind it.

[Harrison]

"...Went to a conservative treatment dr. and she thought my pain is mostly caused by a small tear in my lower back..."


Where is the tear?

[2cool4U]

To the OP:

I have cars w/both. I'm 7 months post-op. I definitely feel a difference when I drive my manual vs. the automatic. It seems to be mostly related to clutching. However, I have to admit that my manual car has about the worst seat ergonomics you can get. I have a Mackenzie half roll in that car, but it only helps a little. Right now I only drive it short distances, more due to the seat design. In traffic, clutching causes some left back muscle pain.

My auto. has a multi-adjustable seat w/good lumbar support, and I can drive 3-4 hrs. easily w/o pain. My wife's auto has larger seats w/less lateral and lumbar support, and I start feeling low back pain after about 2 hrs.

So to summarize my experience, clutching does cause some discomfort, but seat design seems to be the most important factor for me at this point post-op. BTW, preoperatively I stopped driving the manual for 4 months b/c the pain was considerably worse after 10-15 mins. to work. Once again, though, it prob. was the seat more than the clutch.

-tc-

[longroadahead]

The small tear is in at the L5/S1.

I plan to buy a car in about another 2 years and will probably go with an automatic.