Slipped disc symptoms can manifest when one of the protective, shock-absorbing cushions (commonly called “discs”) that separate the stacked vertebrae of the spine splits, tears, or ruptures, causing its tough outer wall of cartilage to fail and sometimes allowing its inner gel to leak into the surrounding tissue. As a result, pressure may be exerted on the small nerves on the disc wall, the nerve roots exiting the spinal cord, or on the spinal cord itself.

This condition can be extremely painful, and because it often originates in the lower back, the discomfort may be exacerbated when a patient sits for prolonged periods of time. Unfortunately, the prospect of being trapped in the uncomfortable seat of an airplane, train, bus, or car may deter some individuals from leaving home. This can be a real hardship for someone who is required to travel regularly for business or family reasons, or would simply like to take a much-needed vacation.

Instead of avoiding travel altogether, there are steps you can take to lessen the intensity of your slipped disc symptoms while in transit, such as:

– Packing Light and Lifting Luggage in Stages – When lifting heavy objects, such as a suitcase, it’s always best to move slowly and break the action down into smaller steps. For example, raise your carry-on bag to the top of your seat, rest, and then lift it to the overhead bin in a separate motion. Also, bend at your knees and use the strength of your leg muscles instead of your back muscles. Avoid twisting your lower back to reposition yourself; instead, pivot with your feet. Or, to eliminate the hassles of dealing with luggage, consider shipping what you’ll need ahead of time.

– Moving Around as Much as Possible – Sitting can lead to stiffness in the hamstrings and hip flexor muscles, which puts pressure on the lower back. Also, when you sit, the lower back becomes solely responsible for supporting the weight of the upper body (as opposed to standing, which shifts much of the load to the leg muscles). For a patient suffering from slipped disc symptoms, this added strain may create additional pain. When flying, get up at least once every hour, walk around the cabin, and lightly stretch your shoulders, neck, and legs. If you are traveling by car, make regular stops so you can get out and move around. While riding on a train or bus, be sure to take advantage of any stops.

– Alternating the Application of Cold and Heat – If your pain flares up while you are en route, place a small bag of ice between your lower back and the seatback. Be sure to have some portable, disposable hot packs on hand to use as needed, too. It’s best to avoid prolonged heat; instead, alternate ice and heat for 10-15 minutes each. Also, pack a heating pad and reusable cold packs to use after you arrive at your destination.

– Taking Over-The-Counter Anti-Inflammatory Medication – Although ibuprofen won’t cure a slipped disc, it can make your journey more pleasant. If your pain has been unresponsive to over-the-counter medications, talk with your doctor, who may prescribe a stronger pain reliever to help ease you through your discomfort while traveling.

– Bringing Along Your Own Back Support – A small lumbar support pillow can make a non-ergonomic seat much more bearable. In a pinch, an airline pillow or rolled up blanket, jacket, or sweater placed between the seat and the inward curve of your lower back will suffice. In addition, proper back support requires bottom-up leverage from your feet, so if your seat is too high, rest your feet on a footrest (or makeshift footrest) to keep your knees bent at a right angle and avoid stressing your lower back. Finally, always maintain good posture while seated.

With some general awareness and forethought on how to make yourself comfortable while traveling, you can avoid common mistakes that trigger and aggravate back pain. In turn, this will reduce your stress level and ultimately make your voyage more enjoyable, despite your slipped disc symptoms.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient treatment for those who suffer from slipped disc symptoms and symptoms caused by several other spinal conditions.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient treatment for those who suffer from slipped disc symptoms. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/slipped_disc/symptoms/

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient treatment for those who suffer from slipped disc symptoms and symptoms caused by several other spinal conditions.

Category: Travel
Keywords: slipped disc symptoms