Five Tips on How to Travel with Chronic Pain

By Rebecca Rengo, MA, MSW, LCSW, ACSW

Traveling can be fun if you are going on vacation or to visit family. There may also be times when travel is a necessity due to a job/business, or to attend a wedding or funeral.

Some people love to travel and others are "homebodies." Whatever your personal preference is in regard to traveling, your chronic pain shouldn’t be the deciding factor. Here are five tips to help make your travels more enjoyable.

1. Feel your best before you leave. Many people rush around trying to maintain regular activities and prepare for the trip the day or two beforehand. Make a decision regarding what you can delegate or put on the backburner until you return. Maintain your usual health routine, which may consist of exercise, yoga, or meditation. Add extra time to your healing activities to give yourself a little boost.
2. Start your trip early by having a massage, or do whatever you can do that is nurturing for you before you leave. This will help you to relax and get into your vacation mode early. Or, if it’s a business trip, you will feel more refreshed and calm to tackle whatever lies ahead.
3. Make time the day before you leave so you can pick up needed toiletries or do an extra load of laundry without added stress. Make sure you have enough of all of your medications. Depending on where you are traveling, it can be stressful to find or obtain these once you are there. Also, don’t over schedule activities during your trip. Remember to always pace yourself. If you find out you are in over your head, it is okay to take a break. For example, if you are with a group that’s hiking, wait for them on a bench in the shade or go into an air conditioned building to wait.
4. Do not pack a heavy suitcase or carry-on. Even if your luggage is on rollers, there are times it will have to be lifted over a curb or other obstacle, and someone may or may not be able to assist you. If you do need help, ask for it! Don’t worry if it appears you should be able to manage it yourself. It’s not worth aggravating your pain to avoid two minutes of embarrassment. The more you ask for help when you need it, the less self-conscious you will become.
5. Set your own priorities. You know what makes you feel better or worse. Advocate for yourself to do what is in your own best interest. Stop the car to stretch before your pain is severe. Likewise, get up and walk the aisles in a plane. Bring whatever you need to facilitate feeling your best-- whether it’s a pillow or an eggshell mattress. Stay on your diet even if it requires saying "no" to a place others want to eat. If you need a massage mid-week, be flexible to cancel other plans to get one. Better yet, anticipate the need and schedule it in advance. Whether you think you need it or not, it will feel good.

This is your life. It is possible to travel with chronic pain and still feel good. The memories you will make during your travels will enhance your life. You’ll be glad you’re enjoying life and not sitting on the sidelines. You can travel, if you do it your way.

About the Author: Rebecca Rengo is well known as an expert in managing chronic pain. She speaks from experience; she has worked in healthcare for more than 26 years and has lived with chronic pain for 35 years. She currently provides pain relief coaching and speaks to healthcare, professional, and other organizations. Rebecca is also the current President of the Missouri Pain Initiative. She has published several articles on chronic pain and related topics and has authored the book, "Beyond Chronic Pain: A get-well guidebook to soothe the body, mind, and spirit." For more about Rebecca, visit www.beyondchronicpain.com.