As the weather warms, it's time to look forward to spring break and some well-deserved time off. Whether you’re hitting the road or catching a flight, taking care of yourself during travel is essential. Here are some simple tips for a healthy and happy spring break.
Pack Smart
Use a backpack or a suitcase with wheels to lighten the load on your back. When you're packing, think about how you arrange your gear. Put the heavier items in a backpack closer to the bottom and towards your body to avoid straining your back.
Practice Seat Exercises
Long hours of sitting can make your body feel stiff and achy. Combat this by doing some simple exercises while sitting. Lift your ankles, move your knees around, and twist your upper body gently. These moves help your joints and muscles stay active, reducing tension in your back and neck.
Use a Neck Pillow
Consider purchasing an ergonomic neck travel pillow to minimize the chances of experiencing neck strain and discomfort, especially when sleeping in a seated position. This specialized pillow is designed to provide support, ensuring more comfortable rest during your travels.
Stay Hydrated
Traveling can deplete your fluids, and being dehydrated can make your muscles feel tight. Bring a reusable water bottle and sip water regularly throughout your journey. Staying hydrated is good for your overall health and keeps your joints flexible.
Try Relaxed Breathing
Take a moment to breathe deeply and calmly during your travels. Deep breaths can help you relax and reduce stress. Inhale slowly through your nose and exhale through your mouth. It's an easy way to stay calm and feel more at ease.
Spring break is your time to relax and enjoy, so make the most of it by caring for yourself. Check out this infographic for more healthy travel tips, and have a great trip!
Healthcare Cost and Services Significantly Reduced with Chiropractic as First Choice
Spine related muscle and joint pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide and one of the most common reasons for missed work, resulting in an estimated $134.5 billion spent on health care related services in the United States annually. There are many options for choosing providers for acute and chronic back pain that can result in a variety of management and treatment considerations.
A recent review of the literature revealed of patients who went to a chiropractor as their initial provider incurred significant decreased downstream healthcare services. Most importantly, the data showed a significant reduction in use of opioids, unnecessary diagnostic imaging, hospitalizations, injections, and specialist visits when patients sought chiropractic care first. Not only is chiropractic care effective for pain relief but it also cost effective!
Farabaugh, R., Hawk, C., Taylor, D. et al. Cost of chiropractic versus medical management of adults with spine-related musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review. Chiropr Man Therap 32, 8 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12998-024-00533-4
I saw the most alarming statistic in an email I received last month. In an advertisement from my cell phone provider attempting to sell insurance for my cell phone, they led with the statistic that Americans now reach for their phone 352 times every day, on average! My mind was blown by that statistic. The amount of phone usage has quadrupled since 2019 alone. Our addiction to our phones (myself included) has totally gone off the rails, and we need to really take stock of just how much time we spend on our devices each day. Reduction in screen times has a direct correlation to sleep improvement, mood enhancement, and productivity. So I’m using this as a wakeup call to myself to monitor my screen time and how often do I keep my phone close by when it doesn’t need to be there. I don’t need to constantly reach for my phone when I can be interacting with my family or getting things done around the house.
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