Tips to Alleviate Aches and Pain While Traveling

Tips to Alleviate Aches and Pain While Traveling

Taking a trip takes a great deal of planning. Whether you are planning to travel by car or by plane, there are plenty of arrangements that need to be made. While you are checking everything off your to-do list, you should include a list of a few tips to avoid aches and pains while traveling. Since pain can ruin your entire trip, it is essential that you know how to avoid it.

Preventing Pain While Traveling By Plane

If you are going to be flying to your destination, you are going to be sitting and standing for long periods. Both of these activities can be excess stress on your spine; therefore, there are a few tips that you should follow.

Sit when possible at the airport: When you get to the airport, you are going to need to stand in line at the baggage check. You are also going to need to stand in line at security and then to board the plane. All of this standing can be hard on your back, causing it to ache. If there are benches nearby, you should sit whenever possible. Sitting and standing while in line will prevent pain.

Be smart with your luggage: If you packed heavy, it is best to use a baggage cart. Lugging heavy bags can do a number on your back. If you think that you can manage to carry your bags on your own, you should put them down while you are waiting in line to check them. There is no need to put excess strain on your back if you don't need to.

Stretching on the plane: It is important that you get up often to stretch your legs while in the air. Before getting up, you should make sure that the “fasten seatbelts” light has gone off. You should try to stretch once every hour. Just a walk to and from the bathroom should suffice. When booking your flight, you should try to get an aisle seat. This will prevent you from bothering your seatmate each time you need to get up. If you were unable to book an aisle seat, you should ask if your seatmate minds switching. If not, you might need to stretch in your seat. To do this, bend and straighten your knees several times.

Bring a neck pillow: If you are going to be on a long flight and you might want to take a nap, be sure to bring a neck pillow with you. This will prevent having a stiff, painful neck when you wake up.

Preventing Pain During a Road Trip

Road trips can be fun and exciting. They can also cause your lower back to ache. If you take the proper precautions during your trip, you should arrive at your destination free of pain.

Support your back: Whether you are the driver or the passenger, you should put a lumbar pillow behind your back. This will give your spine the support that it needs during your long drive. If you are the passenger, you should also bring a neck pillow. If you fall asleep without one, you can wake up with a stiff neck.

Pay attention to your posture: The way that you sit in the car has a lot to do with how much pain you will be when you arrive at your destination. While it may feel comfortable to slouch, you will pay for it later. It is best to keep your back straight and keep your feet on the floor. Slouching puts excess stress on your spine.

Stop often: Sitting for long periods can result in back and neck pain. If it is safe to do so, you should pull over every hour and walk about for a few minutes. It is also a good idea to bend over and touch your knees a few times and reach up to the sky. Stretching is essential in arriving at your destination pain-free.

Contact Our Hull Chiropractic in Indianapolis, IN!

If you took all of the necessary precautions during your trip and you are still in pain when you get home, you should make an appointment with Hull Chiropractic in Indianapolis. Our chiropractor can perform an adjustment to help relieve the pain. Call today at 317-243-2392.