Tag: flying

Flying can be a pain. Literally. You haul yourself through lines at security, toting your carry on luggage. You wait for your flight in uncomfortable seating or on the floor. The planes are cramped with uncomfortable seats and not enough leg room. The air is dry and blows into your face. You finally reach your destination and are so thankful to be done flying that you haul your carry on luggage down the aisle of the plane and breathe a sigh of relief.

It can be better with some planning.

1. Carry On Luggage
   • Your carry on suitcase is a strategic decision.
     • It is important to choose a lightweight suitcase, preferably with multi-directional wheels. This allows you to push it down the narrow aisle of the airplane and more easily lift it into the overhead bin.
     • Lifting your case into the overhead compartments can be a challenge. By keeping the case light, and talking with your chiropractor about proper lifting technique, you can spare yourself some discomfort in maneuvering your luggage.
   • Your personal item can make or break your trip.
     • A tote bag or large purse seems like a good idea for a personal item. They hold a lot and can be quite fashionable.
     • I prefer and recommend a backpack for your personal item. You can pack your empty purse inside or in your main luggage. Remember to place your belongings in the backpack with the heaviest closest to your body (ie: laptop). Lighter items can be placed farther from the body.

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       Most backpacks have many compartments which allow you to stay organized and evenly distribute weight. I prefer packs made by backpacking companies like Osprey or Deuter because they are lightweight with many compartments.

2. Dress the Part
   • Between security checkpoints and the prolonged sitting involved in plane travel, clothing can be an important part of trip planning.
   • Ladies, your hairstyle matters!
     • I have longer hair and have to be sure that my hair is either down or in a top knot. If my hair is in a ponytail or on the back of my head, it forces anterior head positioning.
     • Anterior head positioning causes increased tension in the muscles of the neck and shoulders as well as promoting further poor posture
   • Wear comfortable shoes
     • Shoes should be easily removable for security, but should also be comfortable and practical.
     • Heels should be avoided because of the extreme angulation that they place the ankles in- not to mention the positioning of the pelvis while walking.  ***Stay tuned for a future blog that discusses the problems with high heels and their health impact***
   • Choose pants that allow for full hip range of motion. Tight pants, especially jeans can cause nerve and blood vessel impingement with prolonged sitting.
   • Consider compression socks for longer flights. These socks help improve circulation and can help with leg aching with prolonged inactivity.
3. Remember Posture
   • We mentioned posture when choosing your hairstyle on a travel day… But it goes so much further. Good posture will help prevent low back pain and upper back pain from traveling.
   • Sit fully back in your seat and make sure that you are sitting on your “sit bones” not your tailbone.
   • Place both feet flat on the floor.
   • Adjust your headrest for optimum support.
   • Focus on alignment.
     • Think of your rib cage and your pelvis like 2 bowls.
     • Start by making sure that the bowl of  your pelvis is balanced and upright.
     • Now, line up your rib cage over it.
     • Make sure that your low back is not rounded or crunched forward.
4. Hydrate
   • The dry environment in an airplane can dry out your mucous membranes- hydrating can keep them healthy and protect you from getting a cold while on an airplane.
     • When your nose dries out, it doesn’t protect you as well from viruses and bacteria.
5. Sun Salutations!
   • Following your flight, it is time to move. I love how gentle yoga is to help me work the kinks out of my body after a day of travel. Sun salutations will help you to lengthen your spine and loosen tight muscles.

I hope that some of these tools will help you to feel better and be better prepared when you next travel. Please remember that this blog is intended for educational purposes. It is good to speak to your Chiropractor or Primary Care Physician to ensure that these tips are right for you.