3 Tips That Can Help Reduce Back Pain after Flying

To reduce back pain, up to a certain extent can be adequately managed with simple tips and medications. By optimizing the posture and seating positions, the back pain can be put at bay with the right help. However, this may not always be possible when you are travelling. Long-haul flights can particularly worsen the back and neck pain and if not prepared can put you in an irritable mood for the next week or so.

Fortunately, you can reduce or even prevent the worsening of back pain. But first, let us understand why flying aggravates back and neck pain without a miss. And then with the inputs from a back pain specialist and spine surgeon in UK Mr Jwalant S Mehta let us get to know the tip to reduce back pain after flying. Read on:

Why does flying worsen the back pain?

Lower cabin pressure in the flight is the most touted reason for aggravation of back pain. The tissues in the human body are under the perpetual need to expand. And the force they exert is countered by the atmospheric pressure which is the weight of the atmosphere around. The atmospheric pressure constantly exerts a force on the body and the balance is achieved.

However, in a flight journey, the cabin pressure tends to be lower than regular atmospheric pressure and this results in balance slightly tilting towards the tissue in the body. The joints, spinal discs and tissues tend to temporarily expand (at a microscopic level) and further worsen the inhabitant’s pain by putting pressure on the nerves and blood vessels around.

The lower cabin pressure isn’t the only cause of back pain though. Even the shorter flights will need a thorough preparation that may include travelling to the airport, towing the language, standing and waiting for extended periods on hard floors, lifting the language and finally settling in the cramped space of the flight. From home to the destination every step can potentially worsen the back pain for a traveller which, fortunately, can be prevented by flowing these 5 simple tips.

3 Tips to reduce back pain after flying:

1. Back and neck pain in most cases tend to be muscular. Back pain specialists suggest periodic clenching of the abs and buttocks to stop the muscles from seizing up. As for neck pain, practising chin tuck for 10 sec or pushing the head back to the headrest for 15 seconds can help.
2. Sitting or staying stationary for longer period puts additional stress on the spine to trigger back pain. So make sure to get up and stretch your legs and move around the flight periodically to reduce stress on the back.
3. Carry support (a back roll, couple of pillows) to keep the spine straight and prevent slouching. We found that tube-shaped pillows with microfibers or back braces are the best choices in this regard.

In addition to the above, one can adjust the travel plans to give more seating options. Carrying anti-inflammatory medications along, strengthening the core and adopting a better posture routine can also help reduce the risk of back pain. Even better if you can consult a spine specialist or back pain specialist who can provide you with additional recommendations based on the specific cause of back pain. If you wish to quickly consult a back pain specialist, you can contact Children & Adult Spinal Surgeon in UK Mr Jwalant S Mehta.