Travel Tips to Prevent Leg Pain During the Holidays

The holidays may be the happiest time of the year, but they can also be the most uncomfortable—and we aren’t talking about awkward conversations with your aunt and uncle either. We’re talking about the long, restless hours spent taking planes, trains, and automobiles to reach loved ones near and far. Not only is this kind of travel inconvenient, but it can also literally be a “pain in the leg”.

Here are some tips to help every step you take be pain and trouble free.

1. Walk around whenever possible. If you’re on a long road trip, try stopping every two hours for just ten minutes to move around and keep the circulation going. If you’re flying, take a bathroom break and enjoy a quick stretch of the legs. Prolonged periods of sitting is one of the leading causes of blood clots, so don’t let travel keep your feet from moving.

2. If you’re an exerciser, consider adding leg healthy moves such as lunges, squats and heel raises to exercise the calf muscle. *If you’re not an exerciser, consider exercising!

3. Stay hydrated! Many people avoid drinking water when traveling to decrease the number of bathroom stops, however this is not healthy in so many ways. Dehydration + stagnated activity is the perfect recipe for blood clots. If you have varicose veins, your risk just increases. Drink the water. Make the bathroom stops. It’s a great excuse to get your steps in. In the long run it’s well worth the extra time to stay healthy and well.

4. Compression hose are also awesome companions when traveling. There are many comfy styles now and they will keep ankle swelling at bay, as well as improve venous circulation.

Here’s to safe and healthy travels! We hope you have a wonderful holiday season.

If you’re experiencing leg discomfort or unrelenting swelling after traveling, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to assist with an appointment or arrange for you to speak with a nurse. Call 866-695-8346 or email info@mycvl.com.