Supporting your back in the cockpit seat
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 181
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From: Birmingham
Supporting your back in the cockpit seat
Hello guys,
i have some problems with my lower back. I’m interested if anyone of you is using a lordosis pillow or something similar and can give me advice where I can get a good one for the Airbus A320 seat.
i have some problems with my lower back. I’m interested if anyone of you is using a lordosis pillow or something similar and can give me advice where I can get a good one for the Airbus A320 seat.
Joined: Nov 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,150
Likes: 744
From: UK
I used to have a lot of problems with my back, including a prolapsed disc.
I wanted surgery to sort this out but that was not deemed suitable for whatever reason.
For the last year or two I have done the following exercises:-
Lie on the floor on your back with your legs stretched out. Pull your left knee up and pull it right into your chest with your hands. Hold for a few seconds. Return that leg straight on the floor and do the same with the other leg. Repeat this 5 times for each leg: left, right, left, right etc.
Next, still lying down; pull both knees upright so your feet are touching your bum and your legs are 90° to your body. Then keeping your knees together, and your shoulders flat on the floor; twist both legs to the left so your knee touches the floor. Hold for a few seconds. Return your knees upright and twist in the other direction to touch your knee to the floor. Repeat this 5 times for each direction; left, right, left right etc.
I was sceptical and was convinced that I needed surgery. However, since doing these exercises my back has been really good for the last couple of years, (and I fly long-haul). I now do 3 repeats instead of 5, and I do them every weekday, not at weekends.
I wanted surgery to sort this out but that was not deemed suitable for whatever reason.
For the last year or two I have done the following exercises:-
Lie on the floor on your back with your legs stretched out. Pull your left knee up and pull it right into your chest with your hands. Hold for a few seconds. Return that leg straight on the floor and do the same with the other leg. Repeat this 5 times for each leg: left, right, left, right etc.
Next, still lying down; pull both knees upright so your feet are touching your bum and your legs are 90° to your body. Then keeping your knees together, and your shoulders flat on the floor; twist both legs to the left so your knee touches the floor. Hold for a few seconds. Return your knees upright and twist in the other direction to touch your knee to the floor. Repeat this 5 times for each direction; left, right, left right etc.
I was sceptical and was convinced that I needed surgery. However, since doing these exercises my back has been really good for the last couple of years, (and I fly long-haul). I now do 3 repeats instead of 5, and I do them every weekday, not at weekends.
Fleet Manager
Joined: Apr 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 7,448
Likes: 310
From: various places .....
Two sideline certification considerations to keep in mind.
(a) seat upholstery comes with flammability requirements.
(b) for seats designed to modern standards, there are some dynamic seat test considerations. These are the reason that modern aircraft seats are so uncomfortable as the spine load criteria dictate rather firm upholstery.
Probably not in the forefront of your thought processes for the case of a back concern but, nonetheless, folks should be aware.
Me, I routinely took the sheepskin from my car seat when flying. Made for increased comfort on any sector length.
(a) seat upholstery comes with flammability requirements.
(b) for seats designed to modern standards, there are some dynamic seat test considerations. These are the reason that modern aircraft seats are so uncomfortable as the spine load criteria dictate rather firm upholstery.
Probably not in the forefront of your thought processes for the case of a back concern but, nonetheless, folks should be aware.
Me, I routinely took the sheepskin from my car seat when flying. Made for increased comfort on any sector length.
Joined: Apr 2008
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 183
From: cowtown
Do not sit on your wallet . It can skew your pelvis and cause sciatic nerve issues later in life . Deep knee bends help stretch out the lower back muscles and improve blood flow for repair and healing . Be very gentle with any exercise using your spine as any new twists and turns can cause unexpected damage . Get early Physiotherapist advice . Physiotherapists have some amazing healing strategies to prevent further damage .
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From: London
As long as it’s ‘just’ muscular back pain would strongly recommend daily yoga stretches and core strengthening exercises like planks. 5-10 minutes a day that’s it and I’m sure it will help. I can vouch for it!
Joined: Sep 2010
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 887
Likes: 235
From: by the seaside
Posture curve
The log carried an advertisement in the 70s. I bought one and it helped considerably as the Trident had seats made by teleflex who do the boating cables. Had a couple of the designers in the cockpit "deliberately designed as hard and uncomfortable per request by BEA's chief pilot as he didn't want his pilots falling asleep". The VC10 was a different kettle of fish. Good luck a chiropractor sorted me out permanently in the end.
Joined: Jan 2019
Aviation Qualifications: LAME
Posts: 806
Likes: 645
From: Cumbria
Do not sit on your wallet . It can skew your pelvis and cause sciatic nerve issues later in life . Deep knee bends help stretch out the lower back muscles and improve blood flow for repair and healing . Be very gentle with any exercise using your spine as any new twists and turns can cause unexpected damage . Get early Physiotherapist advice . Physiotherapists have some amazing healing strategies to prevent further damage .
Sorry. Hat, coat, etc.
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 265
Likes: 164
From: Sunnydale
I disagree. i feel that seat design (i can only speak of boeing seats) is at the forefront of the designer's mind. Just the designer used to date a pilot and said designer found out that the pilot was doing extracurricular activities down route. Designer subsequently took revenge on all pilots.
