As people around the globe prepare to travel home for the holidays, a spine surgeon is sharing the numerous ways you can make your plane ride more comfortable. Forget shifting every few minutes, Dr. Alexander Butler is dishing out how you can get cozy and protect your back while in the air.
The U.S.-based orthopedic surgeon, who practices at Lenox Hill Hospital, explained that by just preparing for your trip, you can save your back plenty of tension. While speaking to the New York Post, he shared the six ways you can have a more enjoyable trip.
He first advised passengers to ditch the shoulder pain that comes with lugging a duffle bag through the airport and opt for a roller suitcase. 'Generally speaking, makes transport through the airport much simpler,' he explained.
Dr. Alexander noted that you can then throw this bag in the overhead bin and use the space under you for your legs or a small purse. In addition to bringing a roller suitcase, the doctor recommends stretching before boarding.
Sitting on a plane for a prolonged period of time can lead to muscle cramps, which the doctor said can be eased by stretching ahead of time. 'This leads to anterior tilt of the pelvis, which is a very common cause of low back pain,' Dr. Alexander told the outlet.
If you tend to have back pain post-traveling, the health pro recommends you do some planks, glute bridges and cossack squats. Although most people want to rest their heads on the window while traveling, the medical expert revealed that the aisle seat is actually best for your back.
'To minimize prolonged periods in a single position, I think it is highly beneficial to get up, stand or walk for several minutes at least once per hour while on a long flight. An aisle seat can make this much more convenient,' Dr. Alexander explained. In addition to moving around often, the health guru suggested you adjust your posture frequently.
He told the outlet: 'Any active effort to pull the shoulders down and back while tucking the chin and neck into the chair itself can mitigate this.' Next, Dr. Alexander urged passengers to stay hydrated while aboard.
According to the pro, dehydration is common on flights and sipping on booze doesn't help. He added: 'My favorite trick is to pack an empty water bottle and a nutritious meal with a disposable container in my carry-on. This keeps me well-hydrated and well-fueled without needing to spend extra money on whatever is offered before or during the flight.'
Lastly, the doctor said that you can rely on over-the-counter medicine to relieve pain. 'Ultimately, pain from a flight is likely due to a stiff muscle, joint or other structure. The best fix for this is to restore normal motion through physical activity, stretching or corrective exercise as soon as travel is complete,' he said.