By Traveling is something that most people can’t wait to do and find enjoyable. In fact, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, each summer there are around 657 million long distance (over 50 miles) trips. Of those, 90 percent are made by personal vehicles, 7 percent are made by air, and 2 percent are made by train or bus (1). While it may be fun for most people, those who suffer from chronic pain may have some anxiety about taking the trip.
When it comes time to plan and pack for traveling, those with chronic pain may worry that they won’t be able to enjoy the trip. They may also wonder if their traveling will make their condition worse, or if they will encounter new problems brought on by the change in routine and schedule. Being out of your element when you have chronic pain may be a little scary for some, but it can also be an enjoyable time that can add to your quality of life.
Rather than avoiding traveling if you are living with chronic pain, take some measures ahead of time to try and minimize the impact. By being aware of some of the things you can do to make the traveling more comfortable, you will reduce the stress and worry, and increase the fun and memory-building.
Here are some tips for traveling with chronic pain:
- When flying, book your travel to avoid having to wait in long lines. Also, use luggage that has wheels, and plan ahead if you will need airport assistance (such as an escort to your gate). When on the plane, take a sweater in case it gets cold, and bring a compact pillow—it can make a big difference in your comfort.
- On the plane, get up and move around some to stretch your legs—ideally, you should get up every hour.
- Consider wearing support hose or support socks (sometimes called travel socks). These can reduce the risk of getting swelling or blood clots in the legs.
- No matter what type of traveling you are doing, be sure to stay well hydrated and get plenty of rest. It is important to also get proper sleep each night or the pain can be worse. If you are able to take your own pillow or other bedding comforts, do so.
- Give yourself plenty of time so that you don’t feel you are being rushed or stressed out about making flights or being delayed in traffic. Relax and enjoy.
- Have a plan of several ways you can help the chronic pain, including taking any prescribed medications, meditation, breathing exercises, doing yoga, journaling, etc. There’s nothing wrong with taking a few minutes to do one of these exercises to help with the pain.
If you have chronic pain, you will feel it whether you are at home or whether you are traveling. But with the traveling, you get to have some fun and enjoy spending time with loved ones. Perhaps best of all is to take with you a positive attitude and some patience. Those two things alone will do a lot to help make your travels well worth it!
Sources:
Bureau of Transportation Statistics. National Household Travel Survey Summer Travel Quick Facts. < https://www.rita.dot.gov/bts/sites/rita.dot.gov.bts/files/subject_areas/national_household_travel_survey/summer_travel.html>
