travelling Archives - Cliffs Chiropractor Southend

In our recent post Are you up up and away this summer? our chiropractors at Cliff Chiropractic Clinic in Southend shared advice to help keep your back safe if you are flying to your holiday destination this summer. However, for many, reaching their destination may mean driving, taking the train or hopping on a bus.

Regardless of the means of transport, our chiropractors want you to travel safe and keep your back in tip top condition. Here are our chiropractors top tips for back safe travel this summer:

Keep moving: Keeping your body loose and avoiding stiffness is imperative. If you are confined into a tight space or even sitting in your car in traffic there are simple exercises you can do such as shoulder shrugs, and buttock clenches which will help keep you moving. Avoid sitting for long periods in one position by moving around. If you are in the car, stop at regular intervals, this is not only good for your body it is important for your safety. The last thing you want is to fall asleep at the wheel! When you reach your destination get moving as quickly as possible.

Stay hydrated: Keeping you body hydrated is important for your overall health and the health of your spine. Drink plenty of water.

Watch your back lifting and carrying: Holidays inevitably mean luggage! Usually heavy luggage which sometimes can be awkward or stored in awkward places. Always be mindful of your back when lifting and carrying your luggage. Lift with a straight back, your legs at hip distance apart and bend at the knees. Avoid twisting your body when lifting. Reverse the process when putting the luggage down.

If you are driving to your holiday destination then you may want to remind yourself of how to adjust your driving position to protect your back by watching a video that Arif, one of our experienced chiropractors at Cliffs has made.

If you suffer with back pain or neck pain, the thought of a long trip or journey can be daunting. Let’s face it, the seats in cars, airplanes, buses, and trains aren’t exactly the most comfortable. And even sitting still for a prolonged period can in itself cause/ worsen pain in the back and neck. So here are some tips from our Southend chiropractor to help you travel with ease this summer:

If you’re susceptible to back pain, carrying a heavy bag will likely be more than just an inconvenience! To avoid added strain, take a light suitcase with wheels and a handle for rolling it. But remember that you’ll still need to lift a wheeled suitcase up and down the stairs or in and out of the car. Therefore, instead of stuffing all your holiday must-haves into one large suitcase, take a few smaller bags instead.

When lifting a heavy item, back strain most often occurs near the end of your range of motion. This is why it is better to move slowly when lifting heavy luggage and to break the action into smaller parts. For example, if you’re lifting a bag into an overhead bin, try lifting it to the top of the seat first, then into the bin in a separate motion. Similarly, you can take it in steps to load a heavy suitcase into the boot of your car. This may mean lifting it first to a chair or stool, then lifting it into the boot. Other important lifting tips to remember include:

Always bend at the knees and use your leg muscles rather than your back muscles to lift
Avoid twisting your low back while lifting; pivot with your feet instead
Carry heavy items as close to your body as possible
Make sure you distribute weight evenly on each side of the body
When carrying a one shoulder bag, switch sides regularly to avoid putting strain on one side of your back.

Take these tips on board (excuse the pun) when you head off on your travels this summer. They could just save you from agonising back pain.

Tag: travelling

Summer Travelling Can Take Its Toll On Your Back

Summer Holiday Pain Busters

New Patient Chiropractic Offer

Only £49 (normally £120)

Limited Time Offer