A long trip can often result in brutal back pain, especially for travelers who fail to take the proper precautions. From adopting a daily flexibility or core-strength training routine to taking more frequent breaks during the trip, there are plenty of effective ways to prevent or better manage back pain. The right furniture, a more ergonomic work station or even scheduling a chiropractic appointment may be all it take to ensure a pain-free trip.
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Stretching Before and During the Trip
Flexibility is an important fitness metric, one that is too often overlooked or discounted. An ongoing stretching routine can help to alleviate or prevent back pain by loosening muscles and strengthen connective tissues. Even individuals who stretch infrequently or not at all may benefit by spending twenty minutes a day limbering up the week before a long trip. Finding opportunities to stretch while traveling can also be tremendously beneficial, especially for individuals who may begin to experience muscle stiffness or the other aches and pains that may indicate the onset of more serious back pain.
Comfort, Support and Ergonomics
A car, train or airline seat that may be far from comfortable or that fails to provide adequate support is often the chief culprit in terms of back pain that travelers may experience. Pulling out the laptop in order to create an ad hoc workstation or play the best online casino NZ can also be very problematic. Spending any amount of time in a position or posture that fails to head, neck and shoulders can easily lead to problems with back pain and discomfort. A more comfortable chair, a workstation that has been better laid out or even a mattress that provide back support while sleeping can all be essential assets for travelers who may be searching for ways to keep back pain from becoming an issue.
Taking More Frequent Breaks
The temptation to minimize travel time by making the whole trip in one shot or trying to escape the monotony of the journey by binging videos or trying to work the whole time can also increase the likelihood of back pain becoming an issue. Taking more frequent breaks and finding opportunities to get up and to move around can significantly reduce both the likelihood of back pain as well as the severity of any discomfort that may develop. Staring too long at a laptop that has been positioned in a less ergonomic way or failing to work the hamstrings, lower back or leg muscles that may be the contributing cause of back pain could be a serious misstep.
Core Strength and Chiropractic Care
Possessing a stronger core means that the body is able to support itself for longer without issue. While sit-ups, planks and crunches may seem like they have little to o with back issues, an exercise routine that can help to build and maintain stronger abdominal and back muscles can eliminate many potential problems. For other issues, such as the pain caused by a previous injury, chiropractic care can often be an essential resource. Booking an appointment to visit a chiropractor or back-pain specialist prior to a long trip might not be a bad idea.
