Tell me how to keep my back from hurting on flights

[Umami Zen]

Well-acquainted with CBD/THC. I use that instead of any OTC pain or anti-inflammatories on a day-to-day basis. Hesistant to try to sneak that onto a plane.

Got it.. Sounds like a pretty important trip. You never know with International Flights/Customs. Wife and I take multiple vitamins/supplements on a daily basis--15 in AM/ 7 in PM-- When we travel (primarily domestically).. We package them in plastic bags and out of their plastic jars/containers for TSA and security to see.. Full disclosure.. Hiding nothing.. Never a problem.

Will leave it at that and hope you can put together a game plan that works for you. Safe travels.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Obviously on a plane there's no place to do stretches where you have to lie down, but trips to the head will let you do some of these. And you can start in advance of your trip. Alternatively, I'd ask your doc for an Rx of muscle relaxers.

@husky429 storrsroars' suggestions, plus aisle seat enabling easily getting up to stretch. Plus, snag an extra pillow out of overhead compartment to rotate use for 1. lumbar support 2. alternated with sitting atop allowing slight bit more leg room.

In advance, check SeatGuru or SeatExpert sites to identify where you'll stretch. Also, check to see if your seat will have an electric outlet. If yes, buy/borrow a heating pad. If not, bring/use a few disposable heat pad gizmos.

Also in advance, adjust your sleep pattern a bit, try to force yourself to be tired, increase likelihood of sleeping more hours, and ease adjustment to JNB / SAST zone.

Generous of your grandfather-in-law. Bon voyage.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

You're about the last person here I expected to not look it up.

New York to Johannesburg Flight Time, Distance, Route Map

Flight Time from New York to Johannesburg, Flight Distance Between New York, United States and Johannesburg, South Africa, Flight Duration, New York to Johannesburg Flight Route Map

www.airportdistancecalculator.com

@chindiesel With rare exception, pretty much all North American flights to RSA and southern Africa fly fairly directly. Exceptions: Seattle, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton departing flights head NE to easterly across Canada to the maritime provinces before hooking SE-ly to final destination. Looks odd, but decreases total flight miles.

 

[Fishy]

We’re trying to get that other guy a passport. We don’t have time for your troubles.

Have a gin and tonic and endure it.

 

[methodology]

Fly first class on 777 and turn your seat into a bed.

 

[RichCTBB]

Trust the Frequent Flyer

 

[Hoophound]

You can combine Iburprofen and acetaminophen (Advil and Tylenol). I find two of each is world’s more effective than one or the other alone. If you want to sleep too, just use the PM version of either.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Honestly. People suggesting over medicating plus booze. Yes, I endorse that as well. But the man flow Yoga stuff has the best chance of leaving you functional when you arrive. The flight is just day 1. So, maybe both?

 

[freshler40]

Do knee crunches, separate, sets of three. Also do series of arm stretches overhead. Repeat as needed during trip. Compile chest squeeze's, relax, do sets of three. All above can be done in your seat, especially if you have a vacant one next to you which often happens on long trips. Enjoy!

 

[Chief00]

Since we're on the topic of pillows and travel, I figured I'd shoot my shot and combine both. You people seem to have opinions on everything.

I have a 16-hour flight coming up in a little over a month. Going to South Africa/Zimbabwe/Botswana for a 5 weeks before my new job starts. I'll be doing some classwork for summer courses while I'm there, but it will mostly just be my delayed honeymoon.

I have flown internationally like 50x in my life and still haven't figured it out. Flights more than 5 hours or so start to KILL my back. It is miserable, and I dread it for weeks in advance of the trip. I've sustained some injuries grappling over the years and have really tight hips--I'm assuming that's what is causing the problems. Mostly my lower and middle back. I've resorted to eating Advil like M&Ms in the past. Big thing for me is drinking way more water than I think I need, and getting up to stretch/move every hour if I can. That's about all I know to do.

I can't afford to fly anything more than coach, so paying more for a better seat isn't an option.

Any advice? Recommended lumbar or neck pillows? Chemical solutions? Something to help me sleep? Idk I've got nothing... but I'm already dreading this flight!

High quality Fish Oil will likely eliminate the problem. Take on a daily basis and in most cases, back pain will be eliminated. Natural anti-inflammatory properties. Chief has been doing it 8 years and my back pain went away after a few weeks.
Moreover, no side affects.

 

[Conndog]

Exactly the flight we're making. Non-stop... I think it's United.

Jo-burg, Kruger, Vic Falls, and a gorilla trek in Botswana, then back to Cape Town to visit some colleagues of my wife's--then back home. And it's all paid for by my eccentric grandfather in law. Can't complain.

When I go in a year or two, I’m going to include shoe water rafting on Zambesi- incredible YouTube videos about it

 

[Chin Diesel]

Fly first class on 777 and turn your seat into a bed.

Those things are old as can be now and really aren't anywhere near class leading any more. 787's and A350's have much better cabin layouts up front. Not just the bed but the entertainment and everything else.

 

[husky429]

When I go in a year or two, I’m going to include shoe water rafting on Zambesi- incredible YouTube videos about it

I think we'll probably shell out the cash to go to Devil's Pool and take a helicopter ride above the falls. There's no shot my wife would enjoy paddling, lol. She runs every day, but is not an "Exercise is fun" person in the least haha.

I've never traveled anything but pretty shoestring before... we usually stay in relatively cheap airbnbs, cook most of our food, avoid the expensive tourist trappy stuff, etc. having people pay for a trip (and making double my current salary starting next year) is weird to me.

 

[husky429]

Honestly. People suggesting over medicating plus booze. Yes, I endorse that as well. But the man flow Yoga stuff has the best chance of leaving you functional when you arrive. The flight is just day 1. So, maybe both?

I always assume day 1 of a trip will just be for walking around the neighborhood eating and forcing myself to deal with jet lag, so drinking on the plane isn't a big issue. I'm pretty cautious about mixing even OTC medications with liqour though.

 

[Samoo]

You're a Russian separatist?

If I was I'd be in Transnistria...

 

[Samoo]

Without knowing the rules at your destination may not be worth the risk

They'll never know if you bring gummies.

 

[Umami Zen]

Two more ideas but not knowing your view of these modalities.. Massage therapy prior to the flight(s) could provide substantial relief from a muscular/structural perspective.. And have heard that hypnosis can assist with chronic back pain with the right combo of patient and professional.

 

[SouthBayHusky]

Best solution – high-quality Velcro back brace. You can adjust it and will relieve the pressure/compression between the disks and Low lumbar pain. They also have a version that can be heated.

 

[husky429]

Best solution – high-quality Velcro back brace. You can adjust it and will relieve the pressure/compression between the disks and Low lumbar pain. They also have a version that can be heated.

Any recommendations? I've never used one.

This thread is turning me more and more into my father with every post.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I always assume day 1 of a trip will just be for walking around the neighborhood eating and forcing myself to deal with jet lag, so drinking on the plane isn't a big issue. I'm pretty cautious about mixing even OTC medications with liqour though.

Yeah, I don't mind drinking on planes, especially when I need to sleep. Just saying it's not an actual solution. The nice thing about some of the yoga moves is that you can just do them in the hotel room. Helps. I don't do it often enough, and when I do I always wonder why I don't do it more. Back always feels better, and hips.

 

[husky429]

Yeah, I don't mind drinking on planes, especially when I need to sleep. Just saying it's not an actual solution. The nice thing about some of the yoga moves is that you can just do them in the hotel room. Helps. I don't do it often enough, and when I do I always wonder why I don't do it more. Back always feels better, and hips.

Started 30 days of yoga yesterday!

 

[DrZzzz]

Hard to say. Take an NSAID before the flight. 800mg of ibuprofen. You have to do it before you fly. Preemptive analgesia.

 

[SouthBayHusky]

Any recommendations? I've never used one.

This thread is turning me more and more into my father with every post.

Dr. HO’s two-in-one back relief belt is the one I have. But anything similar would work well.

 

[husky99]

Tylenol PM was the only thing that made my 9 hour flight last summer bearable. I had forgotten about it. Adding that to my list.

I been to Europe a few times.. a PM and a strong vodka drink helps big time....

 

[husky429]

I been to Europe a few times.. a PM and a strong vodka drink helps big time....

I think the farthest I've flown at a time was maybe 13 hours to Bangkok, but I was also younger and relatively pain-free. That length of trip terrifies me now lol