Big Dave

Agree 100%. I have 3 degenerative disks in my lumbar spine. The only car that doesn't hurt my back during long road trips is my 928.

Hope you feel better soon!

dr bob

Ron, this just stirs up such a wonderful mental image. A tree house. A guy hanging from the tree house trying to uncompress a few vertibrae. Same guy trying to return to his roots. My advice might be to not built the treehouse too high, so the bump in the head as you return to those roots isn't too severe.

Ron_H

Too late !! I fell out of the tree but I didn't have any back pain while I was falling.

Nicole

So, at least one of the two has been resolved: waSAABi is back home, and the mechanic who did the recent timing belt change has agreed to pay for the repair.

Here is the timing belt (ouside) and the timing belt cover seal that got sucked into it. The belt had jumped two teeth at the crank because of this (another one or two more, and the valves would have been toast). Interesting is that the belt shows very little wear from this: Only one tooth has become shiny in the process...

Interesting to see was the special tool set the mechanic needs to do this job correctly on the Saab and Saturn V6 engines. Very complex set, and supposedly very expensive. It almost makes the 928 timing belt tools and procedure seem simple...

Next is taking long term care of the sciatic. Fortunately it no longer hurts; the medication did its magic. But it's not the solution...

Nicole

OK, so I finally saw a Chiropractor the first time in my life today... Very interesting, and very helpful.

She told me that my spine makes a curve, and when I sit I put more pressure on my right side. Then the seat's side bolster pushes me just in the wrong spot... I needed adjustments to both my bones and my seat, and she taught me some exercises that will help. She actually went out to the car with me and helped me find a better seat adjustment - but still wants me to try a wedge. I already felt a lot better when I left her office.

Now I have to do the exercises... and see her again next week.

If I had only seen her sooner... Thanks, guys, for directing me that way!

Chuck Schreiber

Don't forget Nicole, you've got to stretch as well. Strengthen the core, but stretch as well.
At least 5 times per week and DO NOT stop once you feel better. Continue to make it part of your daily routine. It'll keep you out from "under the knife" Always exhaust less invasive approaches before moving on to more invasive procedures. Surgery should always be the LAST step.

Now get back in that 928 and drive!!!

bigmac

Nicole, I suggest that you get a standing pelvic x-ray to see if you have a leg length descrepency that may cause the curvature. Some times correcting that may help. Mac

Charley B

Glad to hear the mystery is solved Nicole. The exercises might be good for something, but a proper relationship with your car seat is going to eliminate the problem. The moment you feel any pain you need to adjust your position and note when it goes away.

Nicole

Yep - it looks like my left leg is a hint shorter - maybe about 1cm... But how would you correct that, short of cutting out a piece of bone and putting my leg in a cast forever and three days?

I have yet to find a position where it goes away. The side bolster always puts pressure on somehow. That's why the Chiropractor thought I should try a wedge. We'll see what that does...

Bill51sdr

Nicole, I had the same kind of curvature several years ago. It was being caused by a damaged disc in my lower back. I'm still paying for some teenage stupidity In any case, the curvature was found and fixed in 18 months by a chiropractor. I am a huge advocate of them and really tire of MD's slamming them. Keep up the adjustments and exercise, you'll feel much better in time.

Ron_H

I agree with Chuck. S-t-r-e-t-c-h ! ! ! It works wonders for your back. I amlearning from Krav of the benefits of stretching as well as strengthening your core. And I agree that if you stop, you drop. Don't stop. Go do what our ancestors do, and hang in some trees. And keep stretching and working out.
If you play, you pay......work out. Get pumped. Do it ! Do it! Never quit. Whew! I think I'll go work out now.

ew928

Nicole,
I jam an extra heel insole in my left shoe.
Chiropractor can probably set you up with a custom shoe insert orthotic.

Glad you feel mucho mas better.

IcemanG17

Nicole
Good to hear you have a solution!! One thing I noticed when I 1st went to the Chiropractor was how sore I got a few days after the visit!! The good thing is you get used to it & eventually it makes you feel better!

bigmac

Nicole, My wife has the same situation, she used to get all her shoes built up at a shoe repair shop, but now uses a 1/4 inch cork insert. Mac

Nicole

OK, now I see what you mean... I thought you were refering to surgical corrections. Thanks!