Anyone who spends a lot of time on an airplane has a clear understanding of the concept of misery. Except for those lucky travelers who are in “first class,” the other 200 or so people spend the duration of the flight cramped, with little leg room, closely seated next to other passengers who are often grouchy due to their own lack of space!
Long flights can also be dangerous to one’s health because the tight quarters can lead to muscle cramps and, in rare situations, serious problems. According to WebMD, it’s not really a healthy environment. Leslie Kaminoff, a yoga therapist and breathing specialist in New York pointed out that the pressure in an airplane cabin at cruising altitude may make passengers feel like they are at about 8,000 feet – as though they were high up in the mountains.
There are several start-up companies which are targeting the frequent flyers like Dr. Hisey with new products that offer an alternative to the old standby of leaning back in one’s seat and hoping for the best. Has he tried any of these new products?
“I have used the neck pillows,” he said. “That’s about it. I’ve heard of some of these new products and would like to try them out. I’ve also had the occasional fluffy seatmate who leans on me and I just use them for a pillow! They’re usually very friendly!
There’s a new product which has recently started a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for a self-inflating pillow. This is then placed on the tray in front of the passenger and allows him to lean forward and take a nap. Does this leaning forward approach seem like a good idea or a bad idea for back health?
“I think that it’s probably comfortable,” Dr. Hisey noted. “It’s going to put you in a forward-flex posture, but that’s not as bad as tilting your neck to the side or leaning back in a seat that doesn’t recline enough. I think the forward-leaning pillow might be quite comfortable.”
“That’s actually how my son sleeps on a plane. He’ll lay his face right on his lap. Only problem occurs when the person in front of him puts his seat back. Then he’s pinned!”
Tips on Air Travel to Avoid Back Pain“You have to take advantage of the little space you do have and keep yourself moving,” he said. “Don’t just get stuck in one place. Don’t let yourself get blood-clots, which is the worst thing that could happen on a plane.
“I will rotate my shoulders regularly while in flight. Even if my rear end is still, I try to keep my back stretched out. I will keep my legs moving with my calves pumping up and down. I will also change the position of my feet frequently. All of these things can help. They will help you feel refreshed when you get off the plane.
“In most planes, the air is very dry,” he said. “So keeping yourself hydrated is important. There are a few planes – the new 787 is one – which humidify the air, so it’s not as bad as it would normally be. However, most planes don’t do this and they have very dry air. This will have the effect of pulling moisture out of your body and it is important to keep replenishing that. A glass of water every couple of hours is very important.”
If you would like to hear the complete (and often very funny) interview with Dr. Michael Hisey, click on SpineTalk below.
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