Traveling often involves sitting in a car, bus, train, or airplane for prolonged periods of time in cramped positions. For people with scoliosis, the discomfort of travel can be multiplied. However, you shouldn’t let the thought of an aching back after long hours in an airplane stand in the way of having the time of your life with people you love. A little extra planning can go a long way when it comes to mitigating the discomfort of traveling with scoliosis. Here are some ways scoliosis patients can minimize pain and maximize enjoyment when traveling.

Travel Tips To Protect Your Spine and Stay Comfortable

Back pain can make travel a challenge, but there are ways to minimize discomfort.

1. Pack light

This may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised at how little you can get away with packing. The less you pack, the less you’ll have to lug around! Try packing cubes to distribute weight evenly and organize your things.

2. Lightweight baggage

If you’ll have to lift or carry your bag repeatedly, having the right baggage will save a lot of hassle. Rolling a lightweight suitcase is much easier than hauling around a heavy shoulder bag.

3. Stay hydrated

Muscle aches tend to set in with dehydration, and it’s easy to get dehydrated on a plane or car ride. Make sure your body has plenty of fluids while you’re traveling.

4. Choose your seat ahead of time

Having a seat with good lumbar support helps maintain your spine’s natural curvature. Most airlines and buses allow you to book a ticket ahead of time so you can choose an aisle seat for easier movement, or opt for a seat with more legroom if you can afford it.

5. Be careful with scheduling

When scheduling travel plans, keep in mind how you can make the trip less stressful on your back. Try to minimize downtime between connecting flights and avoid extremely early departures. If possible, try and schedule your travel during off season in order to avoid packed flights or buses.

6. See if the airline can accommodate you

Sometimes if you notify the airline a few weeks in advance of a medical condition, they can help you with:

• Early boarding
• Wheelchair assistance
• Boarding in special shuttles and elevator platforms 
• Assistance lifting and carrying luggage into the overhead bin

7. Bring some back support

A little support behind your lower back can go a long way. If you forget to pack a specialized cushion for your long ride, you can roll up a coat or sweater to support your lower back curve and relieve stress on your spine.

8. Leg placement

When sitting, your feet should rest on a firm surface, with your knees forming a right angle. Adjust with a footrest or ask for a spot with extra legroom. If you’re on a road trip, relieve pressure on your spine by using cruise control as much as possible so your feet can take a break and rest on the floor.

Contact Us Today

A little extra planning can go a long way towards making your travel more comfortable. If you’re looking for comprehensive spinal support and spinal specialists to treat your scoliosis, call The Spine and Scoliosis Center for an appointment today.