4 Tips for Travelling with Back Pain

4 Tips for Travelling with Back Pain The idea of a long trip can be discouraging for many people with back problems. Chronic pain can have a huge effect on how you think about or enjoy a trip. We know the seats in airplanes, cars, trains, and buses are not always the most comfortable. They can aggravate already sore areas in the back and neck, causing lingering pain. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take that may help you avoid back discomfort while traveling.

1. Get Seat Smart: Book your flight as early as you can for the best seat choices. If you can afford it or have reward points, upgrading to business or first class may be worth the extra comfort. In coach, exit row seats have more legroom. But you need to be able to carry out emergency duties. Always aim for an aisle seat. You won’t have to climb over people, and it’s easier to stand and stretch or take a quick stroll.

2. Bring Accessories: One area where you shouldn’t scrimp is anything that helps ameliorate your back pain. Lumbar pillows, seat cushions, heating pads… whatever will help you feel comfortable during your trip is worth packing. To save space, consider travel-friendly versions of your favorite accessories.

For example, Therm-a-Rest offers a self-inflating lumbar pillow that weighs less than half a pound and can be flattened out between uses. In a pinch, a rolled-up sweatshirt or jacket can also support your neck or lower back. Massage Track makes a travel-size foam roller. back pain in Ashford can be treated with osteopathy.

Instead of a plug-in heating pad, consider Heat Wraps, which provide up to eight hours of heat and can be worn under your clothing. If ice works better for you than heat, bring a zip-top plastic bag that you can fill from your hotel’s ice machine — it’s cheap, and it adds no weight to your bag.

3. Lift Luggage Carefully: Lifting up heavy luggage can cause or aggravate back pain during a long trip. When lifting luggage, bend at your knees and not at your back. Pivot upward with your feet rather than twisting your lower back. With heavy items, carry them as close to the body as possible. Keep your weight distributed evenly on both sides of your body. If you're carrying a shoulder bag, periodically switch which shoulder you're carrying it on.

4. Bring Over-the-Counter Pain Medication: Utilize over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or NSAIDS (Motrin and Nuprin) or naproxen (Aleve), to provide back pain relief on your flight. Advil is an antiinflammatory, so it will not only relieve your pain temporarily, but should also help minimize swelling for the future. Take your pain medication one hour before your flight to give it time to get into your system. Carry your pain medications together in a clear plastic bag and have them on you at all times, in case you need them during the flight. Inform flight attendants that you are on medication. This way they can monitor you if necessary.