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How To Avoid Neck Pain on an Airplane, Part 2

Flying is one of the quickest ways to travel, yet it can also cause a lot of aches and pains to develop — especially in the neck. In today’s article, we’ll pick up where we left off last time and share a few more helpful travel tips that you can follow to reduce and even prevent neck pain while flying. If you’re just joining us, here’s what you missed in part one of our short blog series:

  • Use a travel pillow
  • Pack a light carry-on bag
  • Relax during your flight
  • Schedule a chiropractic adjustment before and after you travel

Let’s take a look at a few more tips to prevent neck pain while you travel. If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment with your Littleton chiropractor, reach out to Arne Wellness Center.

Tips to Prevent Neck Pain While Traveling by Plane

Use Your Airplane Tray Table

The little tray located on the back of the seat in front of you can be used for more than just holding your beverage and snacks. When using your phone or laptop, reading a book, perusing the newspaper, or playing a handheld gaming device, use the tray table as a way to elevate your object so that you don’t hang your head down in front of you. By doing so, you can reduce the strain placed on the back of the neck and shoulders, which can help prevent the onset of neck pain. Be sure to use that travel neck pillow for extra support, too! 

Get Stretchy

During your flight, stretch your neck periodically to help keep the muscles and other soft tissues loose and flexible. There are many simple stretches you can do during your flight to help reduce tension and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, back, and hips. Check out our recent blog, 5 Simple Stretches You Can Do While Traveling. Some of the stretches you can try include:

  • Chin-to-Chest (neck and shoulders)
  • Chin-to-Chest Half Moons (neck and shoulders)
  • Seated Shoulder Stretch
  • Forward Fold (lower back and glutes)
  • Piriformis Stretch (lower back and glutes)

Pack a Tennis Ball

Pack a tennis ball or even a lacrosse ball in your carry-on bag, which you can use to work out trigger points, points of tension, and sore spots in your shoulders and back. All you need to do to work out a trigger point is to place the ball between your sore spot and a flat surface such as a wall, a door, or the floor. Then, administer sustained pressure to the spot until you feel the trigger point release. 

Visit Your Local Wellness Center

If you have a vacation planned, be sure to schedule wellness care both before and after you travel. Doing so can help prepare your body and mind for the stress that comes with traveling. At Arne Wellness Center, we offer a range of wellness services, including chiropractic care, massage therapy, acupuncture, neurofeedback, mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and more. Contact us to schedule an adjustment with your Littleton chiropractor to help keep your neck pain check while you travel. Your neck, back, and body will thank you!