As the United States lightens COVID-19 restrictions, air travel is beginning to open up as well. Whether you decide to hop on a plane for business or pleasure, flying can be difficult if you have arthritis that affects your knees, hips, or other joints. Fortunately, you can take steps to manage arthritis pain that can make your flight more comfortable.

Walk and stretch

Traveling by plane involves a lot of sitting, so getting up and moving around is important. Stretching before your flight will also help reduce joint stiffness and pain and prepare your body for all the sitting during the flight.

Pack your medication

Keep pain medication easily accessible in either your carry-on or personal item. If you are starting to feel joint pain or stiffness during your flight, you will be able to relieve the pain with your medications on hand. 

Pay for the extra legroom

Many airlines have the option of choosing a seat with more legroom for an additional cost. Your comfort should be your top priority when traveling with arthritis. Having those extra inches will give you more room to stretch and avoid joint stiffness.

Practice good posture in your seat

Good posture should always be practiced when sitting down or standing up. When you sit, your knees and hips should be at a 90-degree angle with your feet flat on the floor. If your feet cannot reach the floor, prop your feet on a stool, book, or your personal item (if you don’t have fragile items in your backpack). You may even want to bring a pillow that will support your lower back to help you maintain the lower back curve.

Use heat or ice therapy

Both heat and ice therapy are holistic options that can ease pain, stiffness, and swelling during your flight. Cold therapy can be used to reduce inflammation and swelling, while hot therapy is great for relaxing the muscles and lubricating the joints. You can ask the flight attendant to fill a plastic bag with ice for a cold pack or bring a disposable, one-use hand warmer for heat therapy.

If you decide to start traveling during this time, make sure to stay up to date on the latest travel restrictions and considerations for travelers on the CDC website regarding COVID-19. 

Arthritis shouldn’t stop you from traveling to your favorite places around the world. At Rejuvinix, we offer non-surgical treatments to help eliminate joint pain. We specialize in exercise injuries, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis of all joints in the body. To learn if you would benefit from our treatments, schedule a consultation online, or call us at (757) 263-4945 today!