How to Make Holiday Travel Easier on Your Body

Holiday travel can be delightful, allowing us to see friends and family or to take a welcome vacation. Unfortunately, travel is hard on our bodies. Whether it’s from the stress of getting through the airport or the physical discomfort of sitting in a cramped car or plane seat for hours, traveling can cause injuries or make chronic pain worse. Add to that hauling shopping bags and suitcases, often in cold and damp weather, and you may find yourself with aching joints this holiday season.

Can Driving Cause Back Pain?

When you drive, your body remains in the same basic position for extended periods while compensating for ever-changing speed, direction, and vibration. It’s no surprise that driving, especially over long distances or in stop-and-go traffic, can cause back pain.

Depending on your posture, driving style, and road conditions, you may feel pain in any part of your back. If you sit upright and tightly grip the steering wheel, you are likely to experience pain in the upper half of your back and possibly in the front of your hips. If you slouch or slump when driving, you might feel pain in your neck and lower back. If you are in traffic that requires constant acceleration and braking, you might develop pain in your hips and lower back.

Does Flying Affect Joint Pain?

Flying can aggravate your joints before you even get on the plane. Walking through seemingly endless terminals and standing in long security lines can stress your back and knees, not to mention the strain caused by schlepping kids, luggage, packages, and whatever else you may have to pull, drag, or carry at the airport.

Once on the plane, you might have to sit in a cramped, uncomfortable seat with poor back and hip support. Add to this the stress on your body from dry air and decreased air pressure while in-flight, and you have a recipe for joint pain.

How Do You Reduce Pain During Holiday Travel?

While so much of the travel experience is out of your control, especially in traffic or when flying, there are steps you can take to make traveling easier on your body. We recommend the following tips.

Travel Tips for The Holidays

• Allow plenty of time: Before starting your holiday journey, plan for extra time to reach your destination. Rushing is a recipe for unnecessary stress, increasing the likelihood of causing or aggravating an injury.
• Move as much as possible: Walk or stretch often to ward off stiffness and to keep your blood flowing. If you’re driving long distances, take regular breaks to get out of the car and move around. When flying, even a little seated movement can be helpful.
• Support your back: Whether driving or flying, have proper back support, particularly for your lower back. Bring a back pillow or cushion if necessary. If you’re flying, check in advance regarding your airline’s regulations about these items. While seated, try to maintain good posture, avoiding slouching, hunching, or any other positions that stress your back and neck.
• Wear comfortable clothes: You may wish to arrive at your destination looking stylish and dressed to impress but avoid wearing tight or restrictive clothing while traveling. If you must wear high heels, avoid wearing them while driving, traversing an airport concourse, or sitting on the plane.
• Drink plenty of water: It’s easy to forget to hydrate while traveling. Remember that your joints and muscles need adequate hydration to function efficiently, and they are more easily stressed or injured when you are low on fluids.
• Ask for accommodations: If you have an injury or mobility limitations, don’t be embarrassed or afraid to ask for accommodations while traveling.
• Take time for self-care: Stress is a huge contributor to joint pain, so slow down and take some time for yourself. The holidays are a wonderful time to do things for others, but you can do so much more for them if you feel healthy, relaxed, and pain-free.

Chiropractic Care Can Ease the Pain of Holiday Travel

Chiropractic adjustments or massage from the experts at Total Chiropractic Care and Wellness can prepare your body for holiday travel or help you recover. We will work with you on pain management and restoring the range of motion in your neck, back, and hips through massage, stretching exercises, spinal adjustments, and more. Schedule your appointment today and take the first step toward a more comfortable holiday season.