With the holiday season approaching, many people have already chosen their destination. Whether for tourism, visiting family or simply have a good time, the road to get there might be long and exhausting-and probably involves a plane! You probably know that getting to your destination can sometim..
With the holiday season approaching, many people have already chosen their destination. Whether for tourism, visiting family or simply have a good time, the road to get there might be long and exhausting-and probably involves a plane!
You probably know that getting to your destination can sometimes be strenuous on your muscles and joints. Even more if you have – or have had – back problems! To make your trip easier, here is a list of things to try (if you are traveling first class, this article is probably not for you!):
1. Contact the airline before booking your flight
Call and let them know you have back problems. Often, they can advise you on the best flights to book, or offer you window seats.
2. Bring a medical note if necessary
You can ask your doctor to write you a letter detailing your condition. Using this letter, you can ask the airline staff to carry your suitcases or place them in the overhead luggage compartment. One of my clients even got promoted to business class for free!
3. Take your medication one hour before your flight
If you ever experience acute back pain and your doctor has recommended you take medication, try to take it at least an hour before boarding. This will allow the medication to kick in by the time the plane takes off.
4. Have a support behind your neck and / or your back
Many clients report that travel pillows improve the quality of their sleep. These are designed to support your head and neck during the trip. For the lower back, a lumbar support or a simple pillow placed in the hollow of your back will prevent you from slouching and keep your back straight.
5. Do breathing exercises
Inhale deeply through your nose, hold the air for a few seconds, then slowly exhale through your mouth. Repeat the process 10 times. This will help you relieve the symptoms you are experiencing, as well as relax if you feel stressed!
6. Move as much as possible!
Even if you adopt the best posture, prolonged sitting often increases back pain. Not to mention the risk of deep vein thrombosis, a condition where a clot develops in your veins. Get up and walk as much as possible!
7. Stay hydrated!
In an airplane, the humidity drops to 20%, which can lead to dry eyes, sore throat and dehydration. Drinking water will keep you hydrated-and you’ll probably have up often to go to the bathroom!
We wish you a good trip!
To continue to educate yourself about managing your back pain, visit www.lombafitstudio.com to get a free educational booklet that will change the way you see your back problems! Our site is also filled with relevant and educational information to help you make the right decisions to treat your back pain.
