Travel Stress, Strains Are Good Reasons to See Your Doctor of Chiropractic

Staff Writer

What do your summer travel plans look like? Long-distance or day tripping? Heading northwest to Washington state or south for some Florida sun? You don’t need a doctor of chiropractic to tell you that sitting in a car or plane for an extended period, carrying luggage, or sleeping in hotels (or Aunt Martha’s worn-out bed), can all wreak havoc on our bodies.

When you travel away from home, you don’t want to worry about having more pain when you return than when you left. Doctors of chiropractic are healthcare professionals focused on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders of the spine and other parts of the musculoskeletal system.

Helpful Tips to Prevent the Aches and Pain of Travel

Before your trip: 

• Choose suitcases made of lightweight material (polycarbonate, canvas) rather than heavier materials such as leather.
• Consider suitcases with four wheels, rather than two – this allows you to pull and push your luggage.
• Avoid over-packing. If the overweight airline bag fees don’t convince you to keep your bag under 50 pounds, your back should! Try to distribute the weight equally inside your bag, too. An evenly balanced bag is easier to place into a car trunk or up into an airline storage compartment.

When standing in a line

• Put down what you’re carrying in your arms whenever possible, especially if it’s pulling you forward or affecting your balance.
• It’s best to stand with your weight equally on both feet. However, if it’s more comfortable to keep weight on one foot, remember to shift back and forth between each foot.

At the airport, bus, or train station: 

• Consider using curbside check-in as a way to minimize luggage handling. Of course, this is dependent on the airline/train/bus company, so plan ahead for what’s possible.
• Ask for assistance. Most travel hubs have employees available to help carry luggage. Don’t be afraid to ask a flight attendant, for example, to stow or remove a bag from the overhead bins, especially if you have a physical weakness or condition.
• Consider pre-boarding on airline flights. Most airlines allow time during the boarding process for individuals who need additional help to board early. Pre-boarding is advisable if someone uses an assistive device like a cane or walking stick or is in a sling or cast.
• You can also formally request travel assistance directly when you book your ticket. An attendant will meet you at check-in and help escort you.

When moving or lifting luggage: 

• To lift heavy items, bend at the knees and squat down with your back as vertical as possible, rather than bend over at the waist. The goal is to engage the leg muscles rather than the back muscles.
• If you have many stops in your travel plans and you will be taking luggage on or off a plane, consider wearing a support belt to provide additional strength.
• Distribute weight evenly on both sides of the body instead of trying to carry bags on one shoulder. For those shoulder bags, alternate the shoulder you use.
• Move your body to your luggage rather than pulling the luggage to you.
• Lift in stages if loading into an overhead bin or trunk. For example, lift an item from the ground onto the airline seat or car bumper, pause to re-balance yourself, and then lift and place.

When sitting: 

• Consider taking a cushion or purchasing a travel pillow to sit on, as many airline or train seats may not provide your normal level of comfort. A good backup plan is to use a sweater or other bulky article of clothing to provide extra cushioning.
• For sleeping more comfortably in a plane or car, use a U-shaped neck pillow to keep your spine aligned. Don’t have time to buy one? Tightly roll up a towel and place it around your neck.
• If you are prone to low-back or neck pain when you travel, place a rolled-up T-shirt behind the neck or in the small of the back to provide additional support.

Post-vacation Care from Your Doctor of Chiropractic

After returning from time away­, you may feel worn out physically. That’s because you typically use different combinations of movements on vacation than during your regular daily or weekly routine.

Chiropractic care can be an effective treatment for travel-related musculoskeletal disorders. Doctors of chiropractic can assess and ensure proper biomechanical and neuro-biological function using appropriate conservative diagnostic and treatment procedures.

After a physical assessment, a treatment plan may include manual techniques or recommendations for constructive exercise, nutrition changes, and postural modifications.

CUKC Chiropractic Health Center

Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC), founded in 1922, is a private, nonprofit, chiropractic and health science-focused university in Overland Park, Kansas. The CUKC on-campus Chiropractic Health Center is open to the public and treats patients from Kansas City’s 15-county metro area. Our goal is to provide care and solutions for a better, more productive life for our patients.