Bon Voyage To Muscle Aches & Pains: Expert Tips For
Pain-Free Travel
According to a new national survey, almost half of all
frequent travelers assume that discomfort and pain are an unavoidable part of
their travel experience. That's not surprising since 1 out of 3 travelers report
having stiff or sore muscles almost every time they travel. But there's good
news: we've polled more than 1,000 frequent travelers to compile their tried and
tested tips on how they keep muscle aches and pains from getting in the way of
where they need to go.
- KEEP ON MOVING! Sitting in the same position for long
periods of time can cramp muscles and make joints sore. Whether taking a trip to
the restroom or taking a stroll along the aisles of the plane, keeping your
joints and muscles in motion every 1-2 hours will reduce the likelihood of
cramping and soreness once you once arrive. When on the road, take advantage of
frequent snack and bathroom breaks at rest stops to stretch the muscles of your
legs and back.
- TURN UP THE HEAT! Frequent travelers rated heat wraps as
one of their favorite ways to cope with travel pain. Before you settle in for
the long flight or car ride, put on a portable, air-activated heat wrap like
ThermaCare on your pain-prone regions. The wraps stay warm for up to eight hours
for soothing pain relief. ThermaCare comes in different sizes for the neck,
arms, back and knees – so you can find the wrap that works best for your pain.
Studies suggest that heat increases blood flow, which helps to decrease
stiffness, relax sore muscles and provide soothing comfort.
- HANG LOOSE! Airline seats and car seats are cramped
enough, so you don't need stiff jeans or tight constricting shirts to make it
worse! When possible, wear comfortable shoes and loose-fitting clothes made of
breathable fabrics (100% cotton is the best) when taking long trips. If you have
a meeting or work event to attend immediately after arrival, it may be worth the
extra comfort to hop into a restroom for a quick wardrobe change after you reach
your destination.
- QUENCH YOUR THIRST! Almost 60% of frequent travelers
recommend drinking water to relieve stiffness or soreness while traveling.
Stuffy, dry and re-circulated air on planes can leave your body dehydrated and
make you prone to headaches and muscle aches. Keep a bottle of water or juice
handy and drink frequently.
- GET YOUR ZZZ'S! Most frequent travelers (57%) complain
that pain and discomfort prevents them for sleeping while traveling. Their
advice? Bring your own pillow! There's no quicker way to a stiff neck than
sleeping upright without neck support or worse, with those flat, foamy airline
pillows. Carry-on travel neck pillows can provide much-needed neck support on
cramped flights. On the road, drivers should try a lumbar (lower back) support
pillow to avoid back strain, while passengers can re-create their own bedroom
experience by bringing along their standard-sized pillow from home.
- KEEP TO A TWO DRINK MINIMUM! Complimentary alcoholic
beverages may be tempting, especially for long flights, but too much alcohol can
leave you with headaches and dehydration. That's why the frequent travelers we
surveyed report limiting alcohol consumption as one of the ways to help relieve
travel-related aches and pains.
The information contained herein is for informational
purposes only. WTA does not assume any responsibility or liability for events
that occur due to actions you or others on your behalf take based on the
information given. You are proceeding at your own risk.
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