How to Promote Musculoskeletal Health While Flying
Summer is coming to a close, but many of us are trying to squeeze in that last vacation before the temperatures start to drop. Traveling can be great for us as well as our families, giving us a chance to spend quality time together, explore the world, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
If we are traveling short distances than many of us will elect to drive to our vacation destination or sometimes take a train. If we are traveling far distances, then we are likely to use air travel. Flying can be quite a fun experience, but it may also come with some negative consequences, and those consequences usually involve our health.
There are certain health problems that can result from flying. The exposure to pathogens that are present in other people’s bodies in an air tight space makes getting sick easy. However, there is an even more understated threat to health that comes along with flying; our musculoskeletal health.
Flying involves being cramped into small, uncomfortable spaces for long periods of time. This can present all sorts of problems to our musculoskeletal system. The stagnation without the ability to move freely, the compromising positioning of our bodies, and everything else that comes along with flying can lead to back problems that will ruin the vacation you have planned.
In order to reduce the impact of flying on your musculoskeletal health, there are definitely things that you can do. When you are free to move about the cabin, try to get up periodically and take a walk. Even just a quick walk to the back of the plane and back to your seat can undo some of the tension that your body is experiencing.
You can also bring fixtures that are able to support your neck and back during your flight. There are some pillows specifically designed to support the neck throughout a flight, and others that you can fixate between your lumbar and the seat for optimal positioning.
Scheduling your flight for a time when less people may be flying will help increase the chances of having more room to spread out and not be so cramped. Overall, flying does not have to cause pain and discomfort. You have the power to take control of your musculoskeletal health and not let the flight cause your back harm. With some adjustments you will be able to enjoy your vacation free of pain.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of MaxAmy Photography