4 Tips for Traveling with Pain or An Injury

A recent injury or chronic pain may make traveling more difficult, but it shouldn’t make it an impossibility. Ultimately, you probably don’t need to delay or change your plans significantly because of pain or injury. In fact, you may be surprised by the modern accommodations that exist for travelers with specific needs. Let’s take a closer look at a few of the most important ways that you can plan ahead to make sure your trip doesn’t involve any unnecessary complications.

1. Make comfortable arrangements. Ensuring your own comfort means different things for different people, and the steps you’ll need to take will depend on your injury (or the cause of your pain), as well as the mode of traveling. What’s most important is to make sure that you have room to stretch out (if at all possible) and easy access to airplanes, trains, buses, and so on. A good starting point is to choose an aisle seat and to wear minimal, comfortable clothing, including shoes.
2. Bring everything you’ll need. From canes and special equipment to pain medication, it’s essential that you have everything you need with you before traveling with pain or injury. At the very least, you’ll have better peace of mind if you know that your medication is in your luggage. That being said, you don’t want to carry a heavy burden and may need a little extra legroom, so try not to overpack.
3. If necessary, request a wheelchair. If you’re flying, your airline will probably make accommodations for a wheelchair, but you should contact them to request one ahead of time. Generally speaking, an employee will be able to assist you with getting to and from the plane. However, you should keep in mind that it’s wise to bring some cash to tip any person who will be providing assistance.
4. Make sure that it’s safe for you to travel. In most cases, an injury or pain won’t keep you from traveling for health reasons. Accommodations are available, and you don’t want your knee pain, for example, to hold you back from important plans or exciting opportunities. However, there are some situations in which travel may not be safe. Flying can cause problems for some injuries and conditions, and you may not want to travel to certain places if you’re injured. For that reason, it’s best to consult with your physician and/or chiropractor before finalizing your plans.

Here at PMR, we understand the unique challenges that everyday life can pose create for those dealing with injuries and chronic pain. For more information on the best possible treatment and strategies, give us a call today!