Medical/Posture

See more customer feedback on reduced/eliminated back ache from using the CG-Lock

Since making the CG-Lock available in 2005, we have received many hundreds of anecdotes from all sorts of drivers and passengers about the CG-Lock reducing or eliminating lower back ache from longer journey’s sitting in their vehicle.

As many cops do, I have a sore lower back. With my CG-Lock cinched up snugly, I was pulled tighter into the lumbar support of my seat, which kept my lower back supported. I was able to drive longer distances with much less lower back fatigue and pain. For me, that alone would make the CG-Lock worth the price.Steve Ashley Police Driver Trainer, US

This has been an added and unexpected finding but thinking about it makes good sense because the CG-Lock is pulling your hips into the perfect sitting posture, allowing your back to benefit from the lumbar support (figure 1 below) . All of the current in-car back ache ‘relievers’ tend to end up moving the driver/passenger forwards.

The CG-Lock is the only device that pulls your hips gently back into the seat, making sure your spine is correctly aligned in the seat.

The CG-Lock is the only device that pulls your hips gently back into the seat, making sure your spine is correctly aligned in the seat. We all tend to sit up properly at the start of a journey, but gravity along with the movement of the car (especially braking) causes our hips to edge forward a few inches, leading to ‘slouching’ (figure 2 below). Prolonged slouching leads to muscle strain and this is the reason for the common ‘lower back ache’. To avoid this takes quite a lot of muscle tone and concentration, especially when sitting on leather seats.

I feel really insecure when I go in a car without one.Johanna Dodd Mercedes 230 Driver

I have to say I’m converted. From a health point of view, the inability to slump in my seat and generally move around is a big bonus. This is something every keen driver should have.Rob Mabey Seat Leon Cupra R

We all tend to sit up properly at the start of a journey, but gravity along with the movement of the car (especially braking) causes our hips to edge forward a few inches, leading to ‘slouching’. Prolonged slouching leads to muscle strain and this is the reason for the common ‘lower back ache’.To avoid this takes quite a lot of muscle tone and concentration. The CG-Lock allows you to relax your back muscles and forget your posture (allowing you to concentrate on driving). It keeps you right where you should be! Physiotherapists have told us that the CG-Lock, lightly tightened, positions your back into the perfect posture to minimize strain on the lower back muscles.

I can’t state enough, how much this little device has helped reduce my lower back pain I used to suffer whilst driving.Matt Jackson BBC / ITV Freelance Cameraman

We are currently evaluating this huge benefit as the statistics for lower back problems in vehicles are well known. If you are a healthcare professional or academic centre and are interested in joining our evaluation or setting up your own tests, please contact us. We’d be very keen to work with you!

Figures & diagrams

Figure 1

Correct posture for driver and passengers. Back aligned against lumbar support.

Figure 2

Incorrect posture caused by gravity and braking, shifting the hips forward and pressure on lower back.

Back Care

Top UK specialists Back in Action are evaluating the CG-Lock for use as an aid to reduce/eliminate back ache and Emma Field, Back in Action Ergonomic Specialist & Physical Therapist says "At Back in Action we can sort out all office and home seating problems but cars are difficult; car seat design in general is not good and posture deteriorates. We are evaluating the CG-Lock as it may well help drivers and passengers maintain correct posture, we are really encouraged by our findings so far"

In addition, top sports Physiotherapist Alan Raw, who treats Premier League footballers amongst his clients (www.harrisandross.co.uk) stated “Maintaining proper posture in a vehicle is not easy… this product has really helped many of my clients, reducing and in some cases eliminating back pain due to slouching.”

CG-Lock are proud to sponsor the charity “Back Care” in helping educate and reduce back pain across the UK. Find out more at www.backpain.org.

Have backache at your work desk?
PostureMinder is award-winning software developed to help you protect your health whilst using a computer through better posture and healthy working habits. It uses your webcam to continually check your posture and let you know when not sitting properly.

Find out more about CG-Lock

Customer feedback on CG-Lock

The CG-Lock is brilliant! Low back pain cured.H. Potter Nissan 350Z driver

"A brilliant accessory I can’t imagine living without. Immediately I felt much more comfortable and supported in the car with no nagging lower back pain. I can’t believe what a difference it has made, the CG Lock makes an already amazing driving experience in the Z even better. I’ve started to recommend them to everyone I know and think they should be offered as an option from every car manufacturer." Dominique - Nissansportz.com member. 350Z driver

"The CG-Lock is brilliant! Low back pain cured. Extreme confidence and increased ‘connectedness’ during spirited road driving. No need for harnesses on track days. I’d be lost without it!" H. Potter - Nissansportz.com member, 350Z driver

"It’s clear the CG Lock maintains good posture by preventing slumping in the seat which can only reduce back ache and related problems." Peter Seldon, Porsche 993, BMW M5 & GT racing driver

… at the end of the day my back used to ache with the strain of holding on. However at the end of that days training [with the CG-Lock], no problems.Nick Arnold ARDS instructor (TRL slalom course)

"Improved posture - bucket seats give me back ache - my driving experience has improved since the addition of the CG Lock." Ewan Simpson, Misubishi Lancer Evolution VIII

"I purchased the CG Locks not just for the sports feel but for posture as well. I do suffer in the lower back area and the CG-Locks do take the tension away from the spine." Christopher Doe, Leon Cupra R 225

The devices work great and on long journeys have prevented back pain by holding us firmly into the seats.Steve Lloyd VXR driver

"It has improved my back posture and consequently, I no longer suffer back pain after extended driving." Dave Bonham, Ford Mondeo driver, October 2007

"I have always suffered from back ache after a long journey, this weekend after returning from the WTCC meeting at Brands Hatch and the 200 mile round trip involved, not a sign of back ache. I noticed at all times I had great posture without having to regularly lift myself in the seat to regain my posture." Rex Fryatt, BMW M3 driver, Sept 2007

Since this device has been installed,which incidentally took less than 5 minutes, my posture has noticably improved whilst driving and my ongoing back problems have eased in the car, particularly over long distances.Richard Hartman Lexus Owner

"The product is superb. Even on normal driving I still use it as it makes me sit back and upright in the seat." Gary Hall, Impreza WRX driver.

"I also felt like I was sitting properly, as the CG Lock did not allow me to slump in my seat as I often did before. I would previously start out in a good, healthy position and end my journey somewhat slumped in the seat. When using the CG Lock I found I stayed in the same position throughout, which has only got to be a good thing for my back and posture!" Rob Mabey, Seat Leon Cupra R

Excellent for day to day journeys - I find myself sitting more up right in the seat which in turn stops my low back aching at all.Gary Gray Nissan 350Z driver, May 2008

"I’ve always found that on long journeys I tend to slump down in the seat, with the inevitable backache. The CG-Lock really helped - on my last 500 mile trip home from the Nurburgring to Bournemouth (first one with the CG-Lock) I arrived with none whatsoever!" Paul Sweeney, Alfa 145 Owner

"… they keep me and my passenger properly positioned in the seat in normal day to day driving…" David Casey, Lotus Elise 111S

"… the base of your spine is held firmly against the back of your seat." 4×4 Mart Magazine

"I find the device keeps the hips firmly secured and the spine stops sliding around, providing much better lumbar support and reducing back pain." Ed McDonough, Veteran Professional Racing Driver, June 2007.

"I have suffered with lower back pain for many years and I find that the CG Lock helps maintain a better posture by not allowing you to slouch in the seat. I have used it on trips into Europe and get to the end of the journey with much less discomfort than usual." Andy Young, Porsche 911 owner, June 2008

I am a serving Police officer on a specialist unit and after suffering a back injury whilst on duty around three years ago, I have had trouble sitting in a car for any length of time.

I have had an operation on my back to rectify the damage but this seemed to do little for me.

Cut back to late last year when I saw the CG Lock at the Top Gear MPH Show, I got one of these and gave it a try. This may sound strange but I was pottering around the house about three moths after getting the CG Lock and I thought to myself that I hadn’t had any sciatica, those horrible shooting pains down your lower back and legs, for some time.

The only thing that had changed a that time was that I was using the CG Lock everytime I used a car. I used it in my own car to and from work and transferred it to my work car when I got there.

I found it greatly improved my posture and kept me snug in my seat, which has benefitted me greatly. I am even more convinced the CG Lock is the sole cause of this, as I didn’t use it for around 4 weeks earlier this year and my sciatica came back.

I now never go out without it and the back pains have gone again.

Would I recommend this item to anyone with back pain? Well, everyone’s back is different but if you suffer from back pain or sciatica, the price of one of these is nothing compared to the better quality of life it has given me - I’m 27 and now feel like I did when I was 23/24 before I was injured. So I’d say, go on, give it a go.

It really has made the difference to me and I have recommended it to family and friends and also brought it to the attention of my HR department at work.

Thank you CG Lock team.

JJ, Policeman, S England. Kept anonymous due to Police regulations.

In less than two weeks I got a 50% improvement from the pain I suffered after driving.Mike Lane Vauxhall Vectra SRI owner, October 2008

I wanted to let you know how pleased I am with the effects of the CG-Lock which I bought from your company recently.

I’ve been suffering from chronic lower back pain for many years and recently decided to try & address the problem once & for all. Having previously tried the traditional medical route to no avail, in the spirit of ‘self-help’ I decided on a course of treatment from a chiropractor. He explained in some depth how poor posture could adversely affect the muscles & nerves in the lumbar region, resulting in increased pain & that I should make every effort to maintain ‘correct’ posture at all times. The CG-Lock was mentioned as a device that could help to promote this correct posture whilst driving.

My job entails a fair bit of driving and I was keen to try anything which would help to alleviate the awful pains I suffered after even a short drive. Also, as an advanced driver, who thoroughly enjoys the process (even in my little Yaris!), I was delighted to read that the CG-Lock could help me to enjoy my driving even more.

Well, after only a week I am pleased to report that I feel much better than I used to after being behind the wheel for any length of time. I don’t have that awful stiffness in my lower back when get out of the car, and I don’t feel the need to ‘shift’ constantly in an effort to find a comfortable position. I also noticed that because the device made me ‘sit up’ more, I had to adjust the rear-view mirror - I was literally an inch taller in the car!

I must admit that initially I was less concerned with the increased safety afforded by the CG-Lock than I was with the ‘posture’ benefits. But after having read the reports on your web-site concerning motor accident data I am very glad that I now have this device fitted to my car. So glad in fact that I have bought another one for the passenger seat.

The fact that I feel safe & much more comfortable in my car is worth much more than the cost of this ingenious device. I would happily recommend the CG-Lock to any driver.

Sharon Byrne

I am amazed with the device. I’m just an everyday driver (not a performance driver!) but I really love the CG lock. I love the way it feels to be held back into the seat and keeps me from sliding around when cornering. Using the CG Lock has enabled me to be “at-one with the vehicle”… I can sense the vehicles movement better, react sooner, and “feel” my way through the tricky spots more easily. I definitely feel that my safety is increased.

After using the CG Lock I was astonished at how slouched my previous driving position was. The CG Lock places me more upright maintaining the optimum driving position with the minimum of effort. By minimising the effort required to do this I can drive to the vehicles limits, minimize fatigue and optimize seating balance.

I would be happy to recommend the CG Lock to anyone.

David Rozman