Suffering from back pain means you are constantly altering the way you live and the activities you do. Often, it can even deter you from going anywhere at all. However, the team at StayFIT Physical Therapy in Oahu, Hawaii, is here with their five tips for easing back pain while traveling.

5 Tips to Ease Your Back Pain When Traveling

1. Don’t Over Pack

Depending on the reason for your trip and your end destination, there are many times where we pack more than we intend to wear. However, this can be dangerous for someone suffering with back pain. Lifting a heavy bag overhead or into the car can increase throbbing pain, and it’s not the ideal way to start a trip. Avoid lifting bags, especially overheard, and pack light clothing into several smaller, rolling bags rather than larger luggage.

2. Bring Support

Pillows, seat cushions, and heating pads can provide the necessary lumbar support and comfort for long periods of travel. Think of the items you have at home that can help relieve your back pain, and make sure those are on your packing list.

3. Move & Stretch Frequently

Sitting in an upright position for longer periods of time can increase back pain. Simple relief can be found through several stretching movements in your hamstrings, lower and upper back, and hip flexors. If you’re traveling by plane, get an aisle seat that will allow you to get up and move around when needed.

4. Plan Your Trip Carefully

If you’re traveling a long distance and you know it will take you a couple of hours to get there, plan ahead. There’s nothing worse than trying to cope with pain when you’re crammed into a tiny airplane seat or crowded car. In the car, ask to sit in the front passenger seat so you can recline back. Or, you can look for several flights or hotels along the way that allow you to rest your back for a couple of hours, or even overnight.

5. Adjust Your Accommodations

Proper sleep has a lot to do with how you feel and your back pain level. Call your hotel ahead of time to ensure you have booked a hotel that provides comfortable, firm mattresses as well as bellhops or an elevator to help with your luggage. You can also inquire about their hotel gym and equipment that would help move and stretch your back.

For expert care and personalized back pain treatment and therapy, visit the experienced team at StayFIT Physical Therapy in Oahu. With two clinics in Aiea and Kapolei, they provide a welcoming, comfortable environment for patients suffering from sports injuries, whiplash, carpel tunnel, and other conditions needing physical therapy and rehabilitation services. Visit them online to schedule an appointment at one of their convenient locations, and call (808) 487-0487 for their Aiea office and (808) 674-0500 for Kapolei.