The holidays are just around the corner, which means traveling to see family and friends. For most people, that’s not a big deal, unless you’re living with arthritis or joint pain.
Traveling with joint problems is a challenge and often leads to an increase in pain and immobility. However, there are ways to prepare before your trip and steps to take during your trip to decrease pain and ensure a happy, productive holiday.
Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, led by Dr. Jon Thompson and Dr. Brian Snow, offers a range of conservative and surgical treatments for joint pain. We are a premier orthopedic practice offering regenerative therapy, PRP injections, and robotic joint replacements for arthritis and joint pain.
Travel takes its toll on everyone, but it’s tough for those dealing with chronic pain and joint issues. Chronic joint pain is tough all year, but the holiday stress, long car rides, and cramped planes make it even worse.
Going on a holiday trip ramps up joint pain for many reasons, which include the following:
Sitting for hours on end in a car or plane significantly affects the joints in several ways. Movement helps circulate joint fluid, improving mobility and decreasing discomfort.
Prolonged inactivity also compresses the joints and weakens muscles, which strains them and causes pain.
Long plane, car, or train rides often lead to poor posture, which can exacerbate joint pain. Slouching or hunching over places pressure on the spine and joints, potentially increasing pain.
Most people carry luggage or heavy backpacks when traveling, which can strain the muscles and ligaments that support the joints. Long periods of standing or walking also increase joint pain while traveling.
Holiday travel can be hectic, making it difficult to maintain proper hydration and nutrition. Dehydration reduces joint lubrication, increasing friction and joint stress.
The holidays are stressful enough, but adding travel to the mix is a recipe for disaster. Stress can trigger flare-ups, especially in people with inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia.
Your environment while traveling can also contribute to joint pain. People sensitive to changes in barometric pressure may experience flare-ups while flying or when visiting different regions of the country.
Temperature changes, especially from warm to cold, also cause joint pain by expanding the tissues around the joints, leading to excess stress.
Although traveling with joint pain is challenging, it’s not impossible. Taking the proper precautions and steps to avoid joint pain is essential, especially during the holidays.
We offer several tips, treatments, and tricks to help you prepare for upcoming holiday travel with joint pain, and they include:
Drinking plenty of water and reducing alcohol and caffeine consumption helps keep joints lubricated during travel. The result is reduced pain and improved joint function.
Cold weather tends to trigger joint pain flares, which you can prevent by dressing warmly. If you’re traveling somewhere cold this holiday season, pack plenty of warm clothes and dress in layers to protect your joints.
Travel is exhausting, and so is the holiday season. Not getting enough rest triggers arthritis flare-ups and joint pain. Prioritize rest throughout the day, especially when traveling long distances, to support recovery.
If you’re prone to joint pain, pack items that help reduce discomfort. Bring a heating pad to enhance circulation, or consider wearing compression stockings to help keep blood flowing to the joints. You can also use ice packs to reduce inflammation and relieve discomfort.
When traveling, pack anti-inflammatory medications to help you overcome joint flares. It’s also essential to eat an anti-inflammatory diet and limit things like alcohol, caffeine, and overly processed foods that can trigger an attack.
To learn more about our tips for managing joint pain and the treatments we offer, please call one of our McKinney or Prosper, Texas, offices or contact our team through our website to schedule an appointment with Dr. Thompson or Dr. Snow.
