Suffering from back pain should not stop you from exploring the world. Thousands of travelers live with back pain and still visit exotic destinations on a regular basis, and you can too. The key is careful planning; as long as you can manage your back pain, you can have a lot of fun going on trips.
Managing your back pain while traveling is not as difficult as you think. In this article, we are going to take a look at the best, most practical tips and tricks you can use to travel smart and manage your back pain at the same time. Let’s get started!
1. Avoid Queues
Timing your flights (and other parts of the trip) lets you avoid hold-ups that could cause back pain. Long queues are never fun, so make sure you design your travel itinerary with the perfect timing in mind. You can even ask your airline for details about the quietest time to fly.
2. Yes, Tell Your Airline
Speaking about asking your airline, telling the airline that you are traveling with back pain also helps. Many airlines let you check-in and board the plane early. Some will even put you on a fast track from the moment you arrive at the airport.
Additional services such as extra pillows for supporting your back are also common. As mentioned before, thousands of people are traveling with back pain, and your airline can be very helpful in keeping you comfortable.
3. Patches and Braces
While we are at it, you also want to make sure that your back can remain comfortable and burden-free during the trip, especially during the flight. Sticking some heat patches on works most of the time, while back braces or lumbar support can keep you comfortable for longer.
Staying comfortable is the key here. Most back issues are triggered by stress and discomfort, so you want to avoid them as much as possible.
4. Watch What You Pack
Forget about carrying your stuff using a backpack. No matter how comfortable the backpack may be, a heavy one will still put too much stress on your back. You can use a backpack as your daypack or carry-on but be extremely careful with its weight.
A rolling suitcase is your friend. You can also get a backpack or a messenger bag that you can slip onto the handle of your luggage. No more lugging around heavy bags while trying to go to your terminal.
5. Book Smart
Accommodation is not something you want to skimp on when you are traveling with back pain. You want to make sure that you book a hotel with a comfortable bed since the right mattress can help you get better sleep at night.
It is perfectly okay to check the brand of mattress used by hotels you are comparing before finalizing your decision. Some brands like Amerisleep and Vaya are known for their mattresses and just how well they can support your back at night.
6. Sleeping Position Matters
That actually brings us to our next tip: watch how you sleep. Your sleeping position will determine just how much stress you put on your back. The fetal position, especially combined with a high-quality mattress, is the most comfortable.
What you want to avoid is sleeping on your stomach, especially with a hard and thick pillow supporting your head. This position forces your neck to tilt upwards, which redirects much of the stress to your lower back area.
7. Keep Your Meds Close
Last but certainly not least, make sure you have pain (or prescribed) medication with you at all times. You don’t want your back pain to ruin a nice stroll around town or a day at the beach, do you?
With these tips and tricks in mind, you can travel smartly and enjoy exploring the world, all without having to worry about your back pain. As you can see, dealing with back pain should not stop you from having a blast.
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