Solutions to: Long trip seat pains, back pain, hip pain, lower back issues, in my '22 Tesla Model 3 P
I have already written about the Tesla seats and commented many times. I have completely redesigned and rebuilt my own Tesla Model 3 seats, both the lower and upper. I've read books on back pain. Here I just wanted to share my latest discovery, exercises while driving for long trips. I've also posted numerous videos on YouTube. But here I want to explain what I've learned most recently.
This past weekend I took a very long trip. 14 hours one way on Thursday and 12 hours another way on Sunday night.
In spite of having completely redesigned seats, after about 8 hours, my back was feeling fatigued. I could not blame the seat anymore.
I had been watching YouTube videos on back pain and solutions. One I found to be very interesting and I used it with 100% success on this trip.
While in the seat, needing quick relief, I tighten my stomach muscles isometrically for a few moments, push my and flatten my lower back into the seat, and repeat as many times as necessary. I usually would do it about 5 reps at a time.
At each Supercharger, I get out of the car, walk around, stretch, and DO SITUPS! With a focus of flattening my back into the ground.
When you do the sit-ups and the in car tension exercises, you specifically try to tighten your stomach and pull it in so much that you push your lower back into the seat or into the ground. “Flatten out your lower back while tightening your stomach muscles.”
I found this to be a nearly instant cure and I highly recommend trying it!
Here's some reference videos:
Back Pain Relief Exercises & Stretches - Ask Doctor Jo
(Note: I did just the first exercise of this video. But when you get to a rest stop or Supercharger, you might want to try all of these. I think the prayer stretch would be quite helpful.)
How to Fix Low Back Pain (FOREVER).
The “hollow hold” is extremely useful and can be done while driving!
Strengthen your core (abdominals) while pushing your lower back into the seat.
6 Exercises To Relieve Back Pain In 9 Minutes - FOLLOW ALONG
Do the posterior pelvic tilt.
I sincerely hope my suggestions help you as much as it's done for me. I definitely recommend rebuilding your seat as well. But maybe in some cases just these simple movements will allow you to take longer trips in your Tesla!