How To Prevent Travel Strains and Aches

Travelling in some cases can be rough for the body. This is especially true when getting older or following injuries. It does not matter if you travel alone or not, for whatever reason. You can end up sore, stiff, tired and stressed, usually because of prolonged sitting. What you want to do is to prepare and take travel seriously, as something that can put a lot of strain on your body.

If you want to prevent aches and strains, here are some great tips courtesy of the specialists from IconMedicalCenters.com. Generally speaking, make sure you warm up and cool down before and after travel. This helps much more than you think. Just perform some simple stretches and you are going to drastically reduce the possibility of having to deal with aches and strains.

Travelling By Airplane

• Try to maintain the spine’s S curve by using blankets and/or pillows.
• All bags that are heavier than 10% of your current body weight should be checked. This is because overhead lifting can cause too much strain on the body, especially when twisting or turning the head in the process.
• As you seat, vary positions from time to time in order to improve circulation. Massage your calves and legs. Move knees around.
• Avoid sitting under air controls. Drafts will increase shoulder and neck muscle tension.

Travelling By Car

• Always adjust your seat so knees need to be higher than hips, by a slight margin.
• If necessary, consider back support. This reduces the possibility of having to deal with strain or pain in the lower back area.
• While you drive try to exercise legs. This reduces discomfort, fatigue and swelling risks. Open toes and keep them open for around 10 seconds. Alternatively, tighten calf muscles and thigh muscles. Roll shoulders back and forward. However, do keep your arms on the steering wheel at all times.
• Do respect the driving indications you get from your instructor.
• Tighten and loosen the grip on the steering wheel from time to time in order to decrease muscle fatigue and improve hand circulation.
• Try to take rest breaks as often as the body requires it.

Safely Traveling With Children

• Car seats should always be used when children are under 4 or weigh under forty pounds.
• If you travel by plane, be sure you ask about the car seat safety policy. These are a lot better than the airplane seats for children.
• Car seats used have to be 100% appropriate for the child’s size and age. Do not use the old one you used a year ago as it would not be a good fit.
• An infant car seat needs to face the car’s rear. In the unwanted event that a crash happens, the impact will be more evenly spread. The neck is basically more protected.
• Always place car seats in the car’s back seats. The ideal position is the center. That would avoid the extra impact caused by air bags.
• Double check to see if the car seat is secured.