11 Effective Ways to Manage Chronic Pain While You Travel

woman at airportYou may experience some form of bodily pain at one point or another due to various factors. These could include strenuous activity at work and pressure on your muscles due to exercise. During such moments, you may wonder how possible it is to travel, especially when you’re dealing with chronic pain. However, you’re not alone. Indeed, statistics reveal that over 20.4% of adults experience chronic pain, which sometimes affects daily activities. You don’t have to shelve your travel plans because you’re experiencing chronic pain. Here are some effective tips to keep in mind to enhance your comfort when traveling with chronic pain.

Stock up on your medications

While packing up your essentials for your trip, such as travel documents and toiletries, remember to pack your medication. It’s best to get all your medicines before your trip to last you for the duration of your absence. Doing this will reduce the likelihood of you being stranded during travel and worrying about where you can get your medicine. It will also help reduce the possibility of any emergencies. If you have any prescription drugs for your pain, you can pack them in a small bag you can easily access, no matter where you are. It will always be good to check with your local pharmacies to see whether they can provide refills if needed. You can also consider taking along Delta 9 THC products to relieve you and help you relax if you’re feeling pain during your trip.

See your doctor

During the planning stage of your trip, remember to factor in your medical appointments. It’s prudent to visit your doctor for a checkup before you hit the road or book your flight. You should discuss your intended trip with them so they can advise you on whether you should go and what you need to do if you travel. Doing this will also give you ample time to get your medication if your doctor prescribes anything for you and avoid any last-minute refills.


Conduct thorough research on the destination you intend to visit

It’s best to thoroughly research your preferred destination before making a final decision. This way, you can easily tell whether the location will be favorable for you and help you plan for a trip that’s as stress-free as possible. It will also guide you in knowing what to pack, such as warm clothing. You can also use this as an opportunity to discover whether there are features such as wheelchair access and step-free entry, so they’re readily available if you need them. Another crucial aspect you should look into before the day of your travel is the medical services or facilities available in the place you’re visiting. It will help you know where to go in case of an emergency while you are away from home. Additionally, plan transportation from the airport to your accommodation before you land. You can consider letting a family member or friend pick you up or pre-arrange hotel pickup.

Be intentional about what you eat

The foods you eat during the entire duration of your travel can significantly impact the pain you’re feeling. Experts recommend foods such as fish, chicken, fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, and whole grains, to name a few. It would help if you had three meals a day to help reduce your desire for unhealthy snacks. Eating right will also help you stay in shape, which is essential since weight can significantly affect your chronic pain. While eating well, stay hydrated by drinking lots of water to keep your joints lubricated and protect you from dehydration, which can worsen your chronic pain.

Let your travel companion knows about your pain

Communicating how you feel when you’re in pain is essential. If you’re traveling with someone, it’s best to let them know about your chronic pain, so they can provide the support and assistance you need. This way, you won’t have to deal with the pain alone. It will also help them prepare adequately by considering you in aspects such as travel itinerary, so you don’t engage in excessively vigorous activities. Aside from informing your travel buddy about your pain, don’t be afraid to accept help when they offer it or be too hard on yourself for needing assistance.

Stay active

You can still stay active despite your chronic pain, even when you’re away on a trip. Even a few minutes can go a long way and yield significant results for your overall health and well-being. You only need to identify the exercises that work to strengthen your muscles and grant you some relief. Research shows that well-planned exercise and motions can reduce chronic pain, increase blood flow, and elevate your mood. You will find out that while exercising inhibits inflammation and reduces blood pressure, it is also good for your general health. You can consider options such as yoga and swimming, to name a few. Before doing any exercise, be sure to consult your physician, so they can confirm if the exercise is right for you.

Identify facilities or services that can enhance your comfort

Thankfully, several public places and service providers factor in their customers in areas such as their facilities. For instance, when you get to the airport, you can find out if ground transportation is available to assist you in getting from one location to another. The goal is to make things as convenient as possible so you’re comfortable. Therefore, don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it.


You also get the chance to take advantage of services such as luggage storage or complimentary wheelchairs, so you do not need to carry heavy items around. It will help alleviate some of your body’s stress and strain. You also get to save time as a result. So take advantage of services and facilities that help you minimise your pain while travelling and make your journey more enjoyable.

Have your medical information with you always

If you need to see a doctor while you’re away, ensure you have all your medical information, including a list of your prescriptions. It would also help if you got a note from your doctor outlining your medical condition and the current courses of treatment, so you can easily communicate your needs in the case of an emergency. Having your medical information with you will also help you save time and extra costs you may have incurred from seeing a new doctor from scratch. Make sure to pack your medication in your carry-on when flying in case your checked luggage is lost or delayed.

Prepare mentally

Traveling presents a great opportunity to relax and forget about anything that stresses you. It can be good for your mental health and even do wonders for your chronic pain. Although you should let your hair down, you shouldn’t throw caution to the wind entirely. It’s best to be always sensitive to your body, so you know when to take things easy during your trip. Additionally, you can take along a pain journal so you can track your pain levels and triggers to determine whether there is anything you can do to better manage it while you are traveling.

Have medical insurance

Health insurance will help with the expense of numerous emergency medical services during your trip. It would help if you always carry your health insurance because you’ll be moving from one area to another and may only sometimes be able to predict when a problem will arise. Moreover, your travel medical insurance will be compensated up to the limits of your plan if you have unanticipated pain.

Pack with your comfort in mind

Did you know that details as small as the kind of shoes you wear during your trip can greatly impact how enjoyable your travel will be? It’s best to pack with your comfort in mind to reduce the likelihood of your pain worsening during your trip. Remember to pack comfortable clothing and footwear that will give you lots of room without worrying about discomfort, blisters, excessive sweat, and so on. You can also bring along at least one additional pair of shoes just in case what you have gets uncomfortable.

Your chronic pain shouldn’t prevent you from planning your next travel. Indeed your next trip can be just the rest you need to refuel and return to your daily routine. Taking the necessary precautions will help you manage your pain while you’re away. The tips above will help you get started. Applying them will help you enjoy yourself and have a memorable trip you’ll treasure for a long time without your pain getting in the way.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *