
25/07/2025
Travel and your Spine!
Recently, our physiotherapist Russell jetted off for a lovely and well-deserved holiday to Italy! Whilst we know travel is an excellent way to relax and recharge, the actual getting there has the potential to make your spine less than happy as cabin seating has little to no adjustability. Although not an issue in the short term, uninterrupted periods does have to potential to irritate to soft tissues of your spine.
Fortunately, Russell has noted a few very simple strategies you can implement that can assist in keeping your spine in its best possible condition when in transit. Some simple little interventions can hopefully make flying a whole lot more comfortable for your spine.
1. MORE LUMBAR SUPPORT The optimal position is when all three of the natural curves are maintained. A simple way to enhance lumbar support and maintain optimal posture is to take a blanket the lovely staff provide, roll it into a cylinder, and place it into the curve of your lower back. This will allow you to relax back into a better position whilst unloading the joints muscles and ligaments throughout the spinal column.
2. GET UP & MOVE! This is advice that has lots of benefits for your entire body (and mind!) When you interrupt a prolonged sitting position by walking up and down the aisle, blood flow is reestablished to your spine, which allows your spinal discs to refill with all the nutrients and essentials required for optimal function making all 23 of your intervertebral discs much happier!
3. SLOUCH & OVERCORRECT Sometimes getting up and out of your seat is just not feasible so there is an alternate exercise that you can perform in your seat. Firstly, sit up as tall and straight as you can. You are trying the exaggerate ‘good posture’ hold this position for a few seconds then relax. Now move into the complete opposite position. Let your spine flex and fall forward, your arms hang and your shoulders round. Hold this position for a few seconds. Work through this routine for a minute or so. This will provide you and your spine with a degree of relief, whilst unloading structures and giving your discs a little bit of love!