Many people deal with the discomfort of sciatica everyday, but when you’re traveling it can be particularly hard to escape the symptoms. From sitting on planes to driving for hours, travel is inherently tough because it requires long stretches of sitting, which can aggravate sciatic pain.
If you have holiday travel plans, and are concerned with how you’ll cope with nagging sciatic-related pain, we’ve got a few tips that may help:
Bring disposable hot and cold packs
Cold can help reduce inflammation and calm down sciatic pain. Heat, on the other hand, can help stimulate healing. Many people find that alternating between the two types of therapy is particularly helpful. By bringing disposable hot and cold packs with you as you travel, you can get relief on the go.
Pay attention to position
Sitting for long, prolonged periods of time is tough for those who suffer with sciatica, but it’s often a necessary part of travel. You can combat this problem by altering your sitting position during the trip. By tilting your seat backwards, even slightly, you can reduce the pressure on your sciatic nerve. You may also find that a lumbar support pillow takes pressure off your lower back, and calms down sciatic pain.
Stretch as much as possible
Whenever possible, get up and stretch your lower back. Leaning forward slowly can help release the pressure in your lower back and take the edge off of sciatic pain. You may also find relief by pulling your knee up to your chest and rounding out your lower back. These two moves can be done standing up, even in small confined spaces such as on a plane.
Sciatic pain can range from nagging to severe, taking the joy out of even the jolliest holiday trip. These tips can help you cope with the pain of sciatica, but keep in mind, these are just temporary measures. To overcome your issue once and for all, it’s best to seek the help of a medical professional.
Have questions about sciatica and holiday travel plans? Visit our website or call (417) 413-5900 to speak with someone today.
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