Flying Can Be A Real Pain In The Buttocks - Literally

Do you ever feel like a twisted pretzel when you get off of a plane?  I know I do.  My husband always laughs at me because, with my smaller stature, I can manage to curl myself into some interesting positions in a plane seat in my efforts to catch some zzz's.  But because of this, I often feel some interesting aches and pains when it is time to stand up and move.  

So what do I do to try to combat these plane pains?  Here are my hacks for those airborne aches.

Keep Hydrated

Drink plenty of water or other caffeine-free beverages, such as fruit juices to remain hydrated.  Make sure to do this while on the plane and off.  Keeping your body well-hydrated helps minimize muscle aches and keeps you feeling refreshed.

Do Some Simple Stretches

If you are on a long international flight, try to get up and walk the aisle a bit, when you are allowed.  If you can't do that, then do a couple of simple neck stretches like bringing your chin to your chest, or your ear to your shoulder.  Make sure you are sitting up straight when doing this for proper stretching.  Also, you might want to roll your shoulders forward and backward.

When you are waiting at baggage claim for your luggage, you can loosen up with a few quick calf or quad stretches.  Do a small backward lunge to stretch your calf and hold for 30 seconds, then switch sides.  For you quads, grab one of your feet and pull it toward your buttocks and hold.  If you need, use a nearby wall, or the shoulder of your travel companion, to balance on.

Once you get settled in your room at the resort you can do a few more stretches for stretching your buttocks and relaxing the muscles in your back.  First, lay on the floor.  Cross your right ankle over your left knee in a figure-four pose, interlace your hands underneath your left thigh, and gently pull this leg toward your chest.  Switch sides.

Finally, you can do some classic yoga stretches like the cat-cow and the downward dog-cobra-child poses.  Always remember to breath through your stretches for better results and to feel more refreshed.

Change Your Clothes

Whether your are making that final connection for the short hop to your destination, or you've actually made it all the way to your resort, at a minimum, changing into fresh clothes can make you feel more comfortable.  Even your comfy old travel sweats can seem a bit binding after you've been compressed in a plane seat for a while. The act of just changing to something fresh, and preferably a little looser, will make your muscles feel a little less constricted.

Hot and Cold Therapy

If you have the time after you've settled in your room and your accommodations kindly provide you with a mini-fridge, then try this combo therapy method.  First, moisten a hand towel or washcloth and put it in the fridge for a few minutes to cool (do not freeze).  Take it out and massage your sore muscles with the chilled towel for up to 20 minutes (return the towel to the fridge as necessary to keep chilled).  After this, then you should follow up with a warm shower, or a nice soak in a hot bath.

Rub with a Rubber Racquetball

Maybe you've heard of or already use the technique of elongating your muscles with a foam roller, but this is not something you would give up valuable luggage space for; and you don't always have access to a gym at your resort which may or may not even have a foam roller.  So here is what I suggest, pack a firm rubber racquetball in your carry-on.  It is small and compact, and you can use it in small spaces to roll away any tight muscle knots you are suffering from.  Back in your resort room, you can place the ball between you and the wall, and roll it up and down to get to those hard to reach spots.

Try Arnica

Recently one of my coworkers introduced me to this homeopathic remedy.  There are oral doses available, but I suggest bringing along the gel formulation to apply topically to those achy muscles.  It may sometimes take a couple of days to fully kick in, but relief of inflammation and pain is on the way with consistent application.

Book a Massage

Finally, I highly suggest partaking of an exquisite massage.  I always schedule a massage or two on my vacations.  They are an absolute blessing after a long journey to your destination or at the end of an amazing scuba vacation.  Don't think of it as an unnecessary expense, but instead as an unforgettable addition of relaxation  to your getaway.  Plan ahead and ask your travel specialist to book a massage for you upon your arrival, and then you can always schedule another one with the spa while you are there once your dive days are done.
Trust me - you will never regret it!

How about you?  Do you have any tips you'd like to share to relieve those aches & pains from long flights?

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