Summer comes with fresh start as it is the perfect time to explore new places and enjoy vacations with family. We all love travelling but on the other hand it also forces your body to go through the unexpected stress such as long hours of sitting while driving, carrying luggage, staying active most of the time and many more.

Even if you travel with your back pain or neck pain then it’s higher chances that it will worse the symptoms. You might have felt the same while travelling; the overexcited mind usually overrules the symptoms of body just to feel the relief from day-to-day life.

But if you travel with little preparation and awareness then the risk of increasing pain will not be your problem while enjoying vacations with loved ones. So, now lets first understand the basics.

Why does Travel trigger pain?

Travelling means long sitting time if you are travelling via car, flight, train or bus, you are forced to sit at one position for more hours than regulars. Travelling also comes with more physical activity such as hiking, walking long distance to reach locations, sightseeing, swimming, playing with loved ones or many more.

All these things put stress on person’s body who is not properly physically active. They feel tiredness very easily, even their old pain can also get triggered, or even worse their health can deter.

Now, let’s understand common causes why summer travel can trigger pain.

Common Causes for pain while travelling

1. Long hour sitting

Sitting in one position is one the major reason people experience pain during travel. As they are forced to be seated in same position for hours whether they are travelling via private vehicle or public transport.

Sitting long can actually tighten the hip flexors, thus increase the pressure on the lower back. Due to restricted movement the neck and shoulders got stiffen and resulting in reduction of blood circulation in the legs.  The symptoms of sciatica or back pain often become more perceptible during summer travels.   

• Carrying Luggage (Heavy)

It becomes more common to carry luggage from one place to another by repeatedly lifting it from car trunk to airports security belts, or overhead compartments. It can put significant strain on muscles or even though improper lifting can also cause lower back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, and muscle spasms.

Who is at Risk of travel can trigger pain?

Anyone can develop travel-related pain in any situation as it is not predicted what is going to happen while traveling or enjoying. But there are some individuals who are more susceptible and at higher risk. Those are :

1. Individual with Arthritis
2. Chronic Back or neck pain
3. Individual are more than 50 years of age
4. Have sitting jobs that demands more sitting work
5. Recently undergone surgery; joint or spinal
6. Pregnant ladies

Now, what are the tips.

Tips to prevent pain while travelling

1. Try to move more if you have more sitting work
2. It’s advisable to stretch your body regularly or during travelling
3. Lift luggage properly without panicking
4. During travelling or enjoying always try to stay hydrated as much
5. Shop good and comfortable footwear to easily cover long travels