I am getting ready for my trip to the UK for lecturing and a little promotion of Back Together. Over the past several days, a few patients have made comments: “Ugh, that plane ride is horrible.”,”Your back is gonna need help after that plane ride.”, “Those seats are so uncomfortable.”
Yes- traveling on an airplane can be a miserable experience, particularly if you have back issues. There are a few things you can do that will likely help you avoid real exacerbation of your back pain:
1) If you have carryon luggage, resist the habit of carrying them in the same hand all the time. Switch sides- even if you are carrying two bags. It is pretty likely that they don’t weigh the same, and by favoring one side or another you will be creating an imbalance.
2) Better yet, use a rolling bag, and stack additional carryons on top of that. Switch the side you are pulling with.
3) Carry an extra t-shirt in one of your carryons- When you get to your seat, make a small roll from it, place it against the seat in the small of your back as a portable lumbar support.
4) When you are not asleep (and the fasten seatbelt sign is NOT lit), get out of your seat and stretch out your legs every 30 minutes or so. When possible stretch your arms out over your head. This will prevent the onset of stiffness & soreness.
5) When seated, with your feet flat on the floor in front of you, do ten repetitions of heel lifts (leaving your toes on the floor, going up & down) every hour. This helps to move your hips,prevent soreness, and may even help prevent blood clots from excessive sitting.
6) If you do sleep, use a travel pillow which provides support for both sides of your neck. They make inflatable ones which get very small when deflated, and only cost a few bucks if you don’t try to buy one at the airport.
7) Drink plenty of fluids. The air in planes is very, very dry. Staying hydrated will help prevent a whole host of problems, and will ultimately ensure that you get out of your seat pretty regularly.
Hopefully, these tips will help you to avoid too much discomfort the next time you travel.
Gotta go pack. Catch up with you from London!!
-Andy
Tags: Back Pain, back together, hydration, kirschner, london, Neck Pain, travel