Are you traveling for the holidays? Let’s talk about a few tips that you can do to help make traveling easy and enjoyable! We don’t want to be bogged down by the aches and pains of traveling once we’ve reached our destination. Let’s make sure you’re able to spend all the time with friends and family feeling your best.

For our road- trippers: Before we start our trek, let’s get into the car and sit up in a nice good posture. At this point, check your rear-view mirror and make sure it is in the proper position for you to be able to see. This will be used as a reminder to watch your posture as the trip gets started. If you start to slouch or sink into your seat, you won’t be able to see clearly through the rear-view mirror. This simple reminder will help with avoiding unnecessary low back pain. Another posture tip is to make sure you are sitting in a neutral position for your spine! Leaning up against the window or leaning towards the arm rest will be another movement that can lead to unnecessary aches and pains. The final tip is to make pit stops often and get out and stretch to keep your body moving! Staying in one position for multiple hours can cause tightness and pain throughout your entire body.

Prefer to fly? These tips are for you!: Similarly to driving, if you are taking a longer flight, make sure to get up and walk to the bathroom or walk up and down the aisle every so often! Again, this will keep your body moving and help keep pressure off your lower back. Have a connecting flight and have a decent lay over? Find some space in the airport and do some stretching. Make sure you are utilizing any time you can to keep your body as mobile as possible throughout your travels!

Getting Comfy: Sleeping in your old childhood bed or a hotel bed while away for the holidays? To help avoid any unwarranted neck pain, let’s talk about your pillow. If you are a side sleeper, it is important to make sure that your nose stays in the center of your chest. The best way to ensure this is to check your pillow height. If the pillow is too thin or too thick, then it will force your head to be in a position that can cause that “kinked” feeling. If you tend to sleep on your back, position the bottom of the pillow down towards your shoulders to help keep your head flat. We want to avoid the pillow pushing your head forward and putting it in a flexed position. If you sleep on your stomach, my best tip is to try sleeping on your side or back. Sleeping on your stomach not only puts pressure on your spine, but also forces you to turn your head one way or another the entire night! This will definitely lead to lots of aches and pains when you wake up!

These are just a few tips to help avoid those travel pains we have all experienced! However, if you are just simply unable to avoid those pains, this will be the ideal time to give your local chiropractor a call for help! Allow them to help you start the new year off on the right foot! Happy holidays, everyone!

 

By: Dr. Tod Williams