While going on vacation is meant to be fun and relaxing, sometimes, traveling to your destination can be a real pain. Whether it’s from an eight-hour drive or spending three hours in the pressurized cabin of a plane, travel can be hard on a person’s body, especially for those with back problems. Contrary to what many people believe, too much movement doesn’t always cause back pain. Sitting still for too long can be very hard on a person’s back, especially if that person has poor posture or is in an uncomfortable seat. Driving, flying, traveling by train and other forms of transportation involve sitting in one place for a long time, and this can cause back problems. Fortunately, there are ways to get around this and ensure that you don’t spend your vacation nursing an aching back.
Back Care on an Airplane
Although flying is perhaps the quickest and most comfortable way to travel long distances, it can be hard on your spine. The chairs are often uncomfortable, and if you’re on a particularly crowded flight, you won’t have a lot of room to make adjustments and get comfortable. Still, there are plenty of things you can do to keep your back from getting too sore.
When you have to stay in your seat, try to support your head and neck with a pillow. You can also place a pillow at the small of your back to alleviate lower back pain. Try to keep your feet in front of you, and make sure they have plenty of room.
One of the advantages of flying is that you can get up and walk around during much of the flight. There will be times when you have to sit down and wear a seat belt, but you should be able to stand up and walk up and down the aisle every thirty minutes.
Back Care in a Car
In a lot of ways, taking care of your back during a long car ride is different from doing so on a plane. You will most likely be in a much more cramped space with little room to move, and won’t have the luxury of getting up and walking around every thirty minutes. You’ll also be in for a much rougher trip, which may aggravate any back problems you have.
As with sitting in an airplane seat, posture is very important during a long car ride. Try not to slump in your seat, and keep a lumbar pillow or rolled-up towel at the small of your back to prevent lower back pain. Make sure that you have plenty of room for your feet and legs, especially if you’re driving. Make sure to adjust your seat beforehand, especially if you’re driving an unfamiliar vehicle.
Finally, take full advantage of rest stops. You may not be able to get up and walk around in a car like you can on an airplane, but stopping every hour or so to get out of the car and stretch will do wonders for your back and legs.
Talk to a Professional
If you frequently experience back pain either at home or on the road, you may have undiagnosed problems that need to be addressed before you do any significant traveling. Speak to a doctor or other professionals, such as the spine specialists at Gulf Coast Spine Care about any potential health problems you have before leaving on a trip.
This article was contributed on behalf of Gulf Coast Spine Care, your number one choice when looking for advanced treatments for sciatica. Check out their website today and see how they can help you!
