If you have chronic back pain, that is bad enough. To be faced with the prospect of traveling while experiencing that same back pain is almost too unbearable a thought for many people to even think of. At the same time, travel is a necessary part of life for many people. That is why it is important to learn how to effectively manage back pain while traveling. With a bit of planning, the effects of the pain can be minimized even when you are thousands of miles away from home.

Stay as Active as Possible

Back pain tends to flare up the most when you are in a stagnant position. Unfortunately, that is exactly the position you are often stuck in for hours at a time while traveling. That does not mean you cannot move your body on occasion. You will want to implement the 30-minute rule. This means that you should change position every half hour, even if only for a short time. If you are sitting down, then stand up. On the plane, you can walk the aisle once or twice. You can also stand somewhere on the plane if the flight attendants will allow it. The key is to get active at regular intervals in order to give your back some flexibility.

Manage and Reduce Your Stress

Traveling can also lead to a lot of stress. This is obviously not good for your back, so you want to do everything in your power to remain calm and peaceful. Those planes are packed. It can be difficult to get your bags in the overhead bins when everyone is watching you, particularly when your back is hurting. Do not make matters worse by trying to do it yourself. Ask for help. You will be amazed at how helpful your fellow travelers or flight attendants can be.

Another tip to minimize stress is to plan ahead. This allows you flexibility in case something goes wrong on your trip. If nothing does, then you can use the extra time just to relax. The more relaxed you are, the less pain you are likely to feel in your back. You can also practice some deep breathing and relaxation exercises that you can use when you are sitting for a long period of time in one stretch.

Minimize the Activities That Lead to Back Pain

You know your back better than anyone else, so you are aware of what makes the pain worse. Do your best to avoid those activities while traveling. Now is not the time to try something new that might make the pain worse. Also, look for ways to reduce the pressure on your back when you are forced to do something that has the potential to cause back pain. An example would be sleeping on the plane. Use a neck pillow to help support your neck and keep your spine in the right position.

So, with a bit of planning, you can work to reduce the amount of back pain that you experience when you travel. The key is to not wait until the last minute. Develop a plan in your mind for how you will tackle each of these tips and be proactive in doing it. If you will do that, you will almost certainly be a much happier traveler in the end.

 

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