Do you enjoy travelling as much as we do? It’s possible to unwind and refresh during vacations. Holidays are usually a welcome event, whether you’re taking a flight to a tropical location or just going up to the cabin. A painful neck or back is one of the things that may quickly ruin a trip. Also regrettably frequent is back pain from driving, particularly long distances. Also frequently associated with flying is back pain.
Despite the absence, chiropractors frequently visit patients following a recent vacation or a long weekend. Why? Because they travelled without taking into account their backs. During your vacation and beyond, the following advice could help about; how to protect the back while travelling.
1. Pack Lightly
Your spine can be severely damaged by heavy luggage. Pick an ergonomic backpack for your carry-on and a lightweight, manoeuvrable suitcase for your luggage. Ever catch yourself using less than 30% of what you packed? Since you will be carrying your luggage the entire time you are travelling, take care when packing it. If you are not wearing one, remember to pack a back brace.
2. Watch Those Lifts
Lifting is one of the most frequent ways people hurt their backs and spines. Included in this are the actions of picking up the bags and putting them in and out of the trunk of your automobile. Be particularly cautious when putting your luggage in and taking it out of the overhead storage compartments on aircraft because lifting over the head puts you at an elevated risk of injury.
3. Move And Stretch
Long commutes are typically part of vacations. If you are driving, take advantage of the opportunities for stretching at the rest breaks along the road. Once the captain has turned off the seatbelt sign, get up occasionally to stretch and wander the aisles of a plane. Maintaining a healthy back requires movement.
4. Check Your Posture
When sitting for extended durations, bad posture puts strain on the spine. Lessening the tension on the spinal structures can be achieved by scanning the body frequently and making quick, practical modifications. Observe the following when assessing posture:
- A solid surface is beneath both flat feet.
- The seat’s lumbar support or additional support helps to maintain the lumbar lordosis or inward curve of the lower back.
- A seatback or lumbar support is used to press the lower back.
- The shoulders are over the hips to prevent hunching the back, and both ears are positioned over the shoulders without the chin protruding forward.
- The headrest doesn’t force the head forward; rather, it supports the center of the head.
Adjust the seat and steering wheel to prevent slumping and slouching when driving. When using commercial transportation, adjust the seat as much as possible and bring additional support for your feet, neck, and lower back. Wear a back brace or Poster corrector, if necessary.
Bottom Line
Don’t forget to take breaks to stretch, move around, and decompress after a long trip. Making wise decisions while traveling can enable you to relax on your trip and feel better when you return home. Wear a back brace if traveling causes damage to your back.