Planning taking your bad back on vacation?
Read my back pain best travel tips first!
jasmine ann
We all need a break, and if you have
back pain, pinched sciatic nerve symptoms, backache and stress you
probably need one more than most. Holidays are great, a time to relax, be
with the family, play with the kids, explore, romance your loved one…or are
they?
If you have back problems you
may be thinking it is easier to stay at home. For many of us with back pain
and sciatica symptoms just the very thought of a long journey, a strange
bed, a lot of sitting, standing and travelling just doesn’t seem worth it.
Part of my back pain story is
that with the onset of a ruptured disc and back pain I gave up holidays, and
so did my family. That was just a miserable time for us all. Then I thought
there must be a way. Whether it is a short trip or a long haul flight here
are some tried and tested travel tips.
If you are interested in learning
more about a way to get rid of the back pain and sciatica
click here to find out more about Lose the Back Pain System
for great back pain and sciatica relief exercises, back pain
information, support and expertise to help you get rid of the
back pain and sciatica.
Top Back Pain Travel
Tips!
1. Before you travel with your
bad back.
- First it is important you
contact your doctor to see if you are safe to travel with your back
condition.
- Check you can get proper travel
insurance and do shop around and make sure you are well covered.
- If you require medication
for back pain make sure you carry enough for the duration of your
travels and take some extra in case of delays. Ensure you carry your
medications in your hand luggage and in their original labelled
containers. Check with airline before booking your flights for the
latest regulations on this. Do take all your back care medications and
anything else that helps your back pain and sciatic nerve symptoms, like
heat pads, with you in had luggage.
- If you are flying try to book
an aisle seat. This makes it so much easier for when you need to get in
and out, gives you slightly more room if you need to stretch out a bit
and means you won’t have to bother other people so much.
- Pack as lightly as possible,
especially if you are carrying your luggage. If possible use suitcases
with wheels; they are great if you have a bad back. You may be able to
buy some things you need when you get there. Check out the clothes
washing facilities and then pack accordingly.
- Check your destination. Is it
easy for you to get around? If you find steps difficult are there any
you will have to negotiate? What are the medical facilities? How much
walking will you need to do to get around? How far is your destination
from the airport? Will there be a long car or coach journey? You need to
know what you can handle comfortably with your back problems and book
accordingly.
2. While waiting for your
transport.
- If you find sitting aggravates
your pinched sciatic nerve symptoms and back ache, keep moving about
before your journey. You will have a lot of sitting to do so take the
opportunity to walk about, stand up and stretch. Do not sit down unless
necessary.
- Give yourself plenty of time to
get to your airport or port. You do not want to be getting stressed and
rushing. Get there a little earlier than you need to then you will
remain relaxed.
3. During a flight.
- Drink lots of water on the
flight. Particularly if you are taking ba
ck pain
medication and as you
are at altitude your body will easily get dehydrated which is not good
for anyone and especially not if you have back pain and disc problems.
However the easy solution is to keep drinking water and to avoid tea,
coffee and alcohol as these only dehydrate you further.
- Move around as much as possible
and at least once an hour get out of your seat and walk up and down the
aisles. If you are following a back care stretching and
strengthening back pain exercise system then try to do some of these.
To learn
about one
great back pain relief system click here. Do
be courteous to other passengers but it is possible to do especially the
standing ones in the aisles or in the galley part if you request
politely of the cabin crew at times when it is not too busy.
- Try not to fall asleep. This
can be difficult but it is better to stay awake and move than to fall
asleep and be in an uncomfortable position which may aggravate your back
pain.
- When in your seat, use the
pillows and take a lumbar support if you need to help you get in the
most comfortable position you can. Airline seats were not designed for
people with back pain but there is a lot you can do with blankets and
pillows to make yourself less uncomfortable. If it helps you put your
feet on a raised area to bring your knees and hips in a better
alignment, you will need to experiment with this.
- Do ask for assistance; do not
try to struggle with putting luggage in the overhead bins etc.
4. Travelling by car
- The advantage of driving is
that it does give you the freedom to stop whenever it is safe to do so.
However driving and sitting in one position for long periods of time can
be hard on your back. Whether you are the driver or passenger try to
stop every hour. Get out and walk around, stretch and get the
circulation going again. Drink lots of water. Use a lumbar support and
heat pads if they work for you. Move the seat around so you are as
comfortable as possible. If you usually drive, see if you can share the
driving.
- If it is your own car you will
hopefully have established the most comfortable positions for you. If
you are hiring a car try to check out how the seating suits you and take
your supports, a small pillow etc to mould the seat to you if it is not
right.
5. Travelling by coach and train.
- Try to get an aisle seat and
take every opportunity to stand up, get off, walk around and do your
back pain exercises. Do not worry about people looking at you. It is
better for your bad back that you do them. It is not worth being in pain
for the sake of a little embarrassment. Try to limit your journeys by
coach or choose a journey where there are many stops. By train make
frequent walks up and down the aisles.
6. At your destination
- If your destination is a long
drive from the airport do consider staying in a nearby hotel/motel for
one night so you can relax, do your back pain exercises and get in the
pool if there is one. I have found this invaluable and make it so much
easier to tolerate longer flights.
- No
one knows your back like you do and it is your job to be aware of its
needs.
- Do watch out for activities
that are advised against for people with back pain or disc problems. It
is often in the small print so be careful. Ask in advance of booking
trips how long you will be sat in a coach or car so you can plan
accordingly.
- In the bedroom use all the
pillows to make your bed as comfortable as possible and ask for more if
you need them. The thing I find hardest is leaving my memory foam
mattress behind but I find lots of pillows and a blanket or towel under
my hips for support helps my back a lot.
- If there is a pool and it is
safe for you to do so, use it. Water therapy helps many people
with back pain and it is a good opportunity to do your back care
stretches in the water.
- When on holiday do keep up with
any back pain exercises you need to do. This is not the time to cut back
on what you need to keep your back healthy. Continue to drink more
water, have good nutrition and do your
back care exercises regularly.
And finally…
Have a great time and enjoy
yourself, you so deserve it!
Wishing you health and happiness...and a great
vacation :)
Jasmine ann
The Healthy Back Institute have
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sciatica or herniated discs...or you could choose
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Sciatica/Back
Pain/Herniated disc Guides
The Healthy Back Institute have
now three Back Pain advisories for you to choose from...or you could choose
all three!
Back Pain Relief Guide
Get the latest, cutting-edge information about back pain, what causes it
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