Travel Tips For Maximum Comfort and Minimum Back-Pain

Vacation time means more time on the road and in the air- and more opportunity for back problems. Cramped seating arrangements and long periods of inactivity can cause stress, muscle tension, and neck and back pain. Here are some suggestions to make traveling healthier and more comfortable.

FOR THE PLANE

1. Use a pillow. Support your head and neck to prevent waking up with stiffness. Now that the airlines have stopped providing pillows, it’s important to find a pillow that will properly support your head and is compact enough to fit in your carryon. The JetRest Memory Foam pillow by Relax The Back provides flexible upright support to your head and neck. It also fits conveniently in carry-on bags.
2. Support for your lower back. For maximum lumbar support and comfort, invest in a customizable Self Inflating Back Rest, which easily deflates to fit in a purse or briefcase. If you do not have a portable backrest, an airplane pillow or rolled blanket can be a practical, last minute solution.
3. Give yourself room. Keep adequate space under the seat in front of you for your feet. If you have a larger bag, put this in the overhead storage bin. If you have a smaller bag, position this centrally with your feet to either side.
4. Stretch in your seat. Keep your feet in front of you at all times, try to stretch out your legs, and keep your feet and legs moving. This will aid circulation and reduce fatigue, as well as decreasing your chances of suffering a potentially fatal blood clot.
5. Walk around. Stand up and move around the airplane as often as possible. On a long-haul flight, try to walk the aisle at least every 30 minutes. Choosing an aisle seat will help to make this easier because you will not have to disturb fellow passengers.
6. Drink water rather than alcohol, coffee or tea. Flying dehydrates the body because of the very low humidity levels in the pressurized air cabin. Alcohol, tea and coffee are diuretics that also encourage dehydration. Water will re-hydrate the body and help to prevent circulatory problems.


FOR THE CAR

1. Sit upright. Slouching causes undue pressure on the lower back. Sit directly over the tailbone, and keep your back straight. Do not let your shoulders and head slump forward. Back supports help maintain your spine in a healthy seated position. The orthopedically designed Sacroease Auto Back Support combats lower back discomfort, overcomes road vibrations, and has the pressure relieving support of Comfort-Foam memory material.

2. Bend your arms and knees. Adjust your seat to find the distance from the steering wheel that is most comfortable for you. There is no optimal position, but make sure to keep your limbs bent for better circulation.
3. Change your posture. Remember to adjust your posture from time to time. Wait until driving conditions are suitable before wriggling in the seat to alleviate postural fatigue.
4. Take breaks. Driving is tiring work. To avoid driver fatigue and minimize postural discomfort, take rest breaks frequently- stand up and move around. If you have back problems, take a stretching break every hour.