Tag Archives: auto travel

Avoid Holiday - Back Pain

4 Ways to Avoid Holiday Back Pain

Avoid Holiday - Back Pain

The holidays are here, and for many of us that means traveling to see friends and family. Whether you’re flying, driving or catching a train, you are going to be sitting for a prolonged period of time. Keep your travels comfortable and you back pain-free with these four tips:

Pack it light
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Over-packing is easy to do, but it comes with a price – strain on muscles and joints. Avoid unnecessary pain during your travels by planning out what to pack and using luggage equipped with wheels. Depending on your trip, smaller bags may be a better option.

Lumbar support
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Seats in planes, cars and trains don’t provide ample support for the lower back or neck. Make your seat more comfortable by using a lumbar support pillow. If you don’t have one, you can roll up a blanket, sweater or jacket.

Get your blood flowing
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Light movement and stretching are the best ways to avoid spine stiffness. If you can, get up and move around every 30, or so minutes. Stretching and moving is also beneficial to circulation as blood brings important nutrients and oxygen to the structures of the back.

Check your posture
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This can not be said enough, sit up straight! Slouching, slumping and hunching can all place unnecessary stress on your spine. Proper sitting posture: align your back with your seat, rest your head on the headrest and place your feet flat on the floor.

If traveling does a number on your back, make an appointment to visit one of AOC’s spine specialists.

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Avoid the Pain on Vacation

6 Ways to Avoid Pain on Vacation

Avoid the Pain on Vacation

You have been counting down the seconds to your vacation. Got your suitcase packed. Hotel is booked, everything seems ready but what about the journey? Have you made plans for how to prevent aches and pains that come along with prolonged sitting?  Whether you’re flying or driving, sitting for hours in a confined space can be uncomfortable. Before you jump in the car or board your flight, keep these tips in mind.

Auto Travel 

1. Avoid leg numbness:

Avoid Leg numbness

After sitting for a long period of time, blood begins to pool in our legs and ankles. Prevent this by doing what are called “ankle pumps.” Just like pressing a gas pedal, ankle pumps move the feet in an up and down motion, which can help blood circulate from your legs back to your heart. This is a great exercise to help prevent swelling in feet.

 2. Take advantage of rest stops: 

Rest Stops

When you’re traveling take every opportunity to stretch your legs. Allowing you body to stretch will promote good circulation after an extended period of sitting.

 3. Posture Matters:

Posture Matters

Good posture is an overstated tip, but the truth is maintaining good posture, while traveling, can help prevent back pain. Use a lumbar pillow while you’re driving to prevent lower back pain.

 

Air travel

 4. Be Comfortable:

Be Comfortable

Dress comfortable for your travels, seating is usually snug so you’re going to want to make yourself as cozy as possible. Tip: Wear socks with plastic treads on the bottom, they provide traction and double as slippers.

 5. Be kind to your back:

Be Kind to your back

Bring a neck pillow. As much as it pains you to lug it around the airport, you will not be sorry you brought it with you. Make sure you maintain good posture as well, it will help alleviate lower back pain.

 6. Keep Moving:

Keep Moving

Force yourself to get up and move around the cabin, Deep Vein Thrombosis (blood clot) is a serious health threat for those on long flights. Take every advantage to keep the blood circulating from your feet back to your heart. If you have a layover, don’t sit, walk around the airport until time to board.

Be proactive while you’re traveling to keep those nagging pains at bay.

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