Tips to Make Sure Travel Isn't a Pain!

  When I think back to summer roadtrip vacations with my family, this picture is makes me smile and laugh.  It seemed so true - we had to take EVERYthing.  Not only can summer travel test your suitcase-packing stills, traveling can be rough on your body.

Whether you are traveling alone on business or on your way to a sunny resort with your family, long hours in a car or an airplane can leave you stressed, tired, stiff and sore.


Use these tips to make sure travel isn't a pain this summer!

Warm Up, Cool Down

Treat travel as an athletic event (and you thought the last time you were going to do anything athletic was back in high school!).

Warm up before settling into a car or plane, and cool down once you reach your destination. Take a brisk walk to stretch your hamstring and calf muscles.

In the Car

• Adjust the seat so you are as close to the steering wheel as comfortably possible. Your knees should be slightly higher than your hips. 
• Consider a back support. Using a support behind your back may reduce the risk of low-back strain, pain or injury. 
• Do not grip the steering wheel (no matter how bad the drivers around you are). Instead, tighten and loosen your grip to improve hand circulation and decrease muscle fatigue in the arms, wrists and hands.
• While always being careful to keep your eyes on the road, vary your focal point while driving to reduce the risk of eye fatigue and tension headaches.
• Take rest breaks. Never underestimate the potential consequences of fatigue to yourself, your passengers and other drivers.  We don't want Highway Hypnosis!

In an Airplane

• Check all bags heavier than 5-10% of your body weight. Over head lifting of any significant amount of weight should be avoided to reduce the risk of pain in the lower back or neck. While lifting your bags, stand right in front of the overhead compartment so the spine is not rotated. 
• When stowing belongings under the seat, do not force the object with an awkward motion using your legs, feet or arms. 
•  While seated, vary your position occasionally to improve circulation and avoid leg cramps.  If you're 6'5" tall like me, then good luck - you'll feel cramped no matter what you do!
• Do not sit directly under the air controls. The draft can increase tension in your neck and shoulder muscles.

Safe Travel For Children

 

• Always use a car seat in a car when traveling with children below the age of 4 and weighing less than 40 pounds.
•  Car seats for infants should always face the rear. In this position, the forces and impact of a crash will be spread more evenly along the back and shoulders, providing more protection for the neck.
• Car seats should always be placed in the back seat of the car-ideally in the center. This is especially important in cars equipped with airbags. 
• Make sure the car seat is properly secured to the seat of the vehicle and is placed at a 45-degree angle to support the head of the infant or child.

Let's Sum It Up
1) Be aware of proper neck and back posture, 2) move arms and legs to keep the blood flowing, and 3) take rest breaks when possible.

.  

August Special Offer

Good until August 30, 2011.   Refer in a friend, family member or loved one as a New Patient, and get a FREE 30 minute massage!