Top Tips For Traveling Abroad With Chronic Pain

For when we start to travel again here are some top tips for traveling abroad with chronic pain. It’s estimated that one in five people worldwide is living with chronic pain, according to the Boston University School of Public Health. Too often, these individuals sacrifice doing enjoyable activities such as attending family events or going on vacation due to their chronic pain. But there’s no need to miss out on a trip abroad again, as these tips will ensure you enjoy your vacation just as much as the rest of your family.

Stock up on pain relief 

The most common pain relief medications taken by people with chronic pain are adjutants, opioids, and analgesics/NSAIDs. Your pain levels will be dependent on you taking these medications, so it’s essential you have a large enough supply of them to cover you throughout your trip abroad. To ensure you stay healthy on your travels, it’s also recommended that you research the health care facilities that are available close to where you’re staying, and take a copy of your prescriptions with you. This way, if you require any medical treatment, you’ll be able to obtain swift treatment. Don’t forget the importance of taking out health insurance before you travel too, as this will cover the cost of any treatment that you require.

Upgrade your seat

When booking flights, most people book economy. However, when you’re living with chronic pain, it can pay to upgrade your seats. Seats in business class and first class provide a lot more room than economy as they are wider and have greater pitch space. For example, in economy, you’ll get a maximum of 34 inches of legroom, but in business class, this increases to a maximum of 87 inches. This is beneficial as your body won’t be cramped into a restricted space that will cause your muscles to tense up and pain to worsen. If you are stuck in economy seating go for a window or aisle seat, so you can have more room or less chances of being bumped by a passerby.

Hire a wheelchair

Passengers spend an average of 133 minutes in the airport, according to Blacklane. During this time you’ll need to get from check in to security and to your boarding gate. Depending on the size of the airport, this can require a lot of walking and waiting in queues. If you experience pain when standing and walking, it’s advisable to hire a wheelchair from the airport which will be ready for you to use as soon as you arrive. You can even take the wheelchair on your trip with you so you’ll be able to enjoy the sights of your chosen destination without having to constantly look for a bench to rest on. We suggest $1 per bag you check.

Pack support aids

The average length of a short-haul flight is 3-hours. Spending this long in a seat you’re not used to can play havoc with your chronic pain, so it’s worth packing support aids to make your journey more comfortable. An adjustable neck pillow is great for easing neck and shoulder pain, while an orthopedic lower back support that can be attached to a chair can be used on the plane, at your vacation apartment, and when you’re dining out.

Many people living with chronic pain avoid traveling abroad out of fear that it will heighten their pain. But so long as you follow these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy a comfortable trip overseas with your loved ones worry-free.

by Chrissy Phillips