If you’re someone who likes to travel, you may see physical therapy as a tremendous roadblock in your life. It may seem like an inconvenience to have to plan outings around therapy appointments, and it’s especially frustrating when you can’t do the activities you used to love doing because of this extra time commitment. However, there are ways that you can still travel while going through physical therapy for an injury or illness.
Planning Your Trip
When planning your vacation or trip, pack your mental and physical toolbox before you set out on a trip. This way, if something goes wrong or pain flares up while traveling, you can be prepared to take care of yourself in an emergency situation. It’s best to pack any prescription medications that you need with you instead of relying solely on over-the-counter medicines at your destination. You’ll also want to pack a copy of your physical therapy prescription and any instructions from your doctor in case you need to see a local physical therapist while on vacation.
If you’re traveling by air, always let the airline know ahead of time that you have a medical condition so they can be sure to seat you in an appropriate spot. Since you’ll be going through physical therapy, make sure your flight is as short as possible and try to book a window seat if the aisle seats are too uncomfortable.
If you’re staying in a hotel for an extended period of time while traveling, look around to see if there’s somewhere safe where you can store any crutches or walkers should you need to. This will prevent you from having to carry them around with you all day long, which can be tiring and inconvenient.
Therapy While Traveling
If you’re traveling in the U.S., finding physical therapy or a physical therapist near your destination can be as easy as calling around or searching online to see which local clinics offer the services you need. It’s also possible that your regular physical therapist can refer you to someone, though this is not likely.
No matter where you are traveling, there will be opportunities to practice physical therapy on your own time. Many hotels have gyms, and you can often find a treadmill, elliptical machine, or other exercise equipment to use if your therapist approved these activities before you left. You can also use the time in between activities like getting ready, waiting for an Uber, or preparing to eat to practice your physical therapy exercises.
Tips for Traveling with Physical Therapy
Don’t do anything on your trip that could cause a reinjury. The last thing that you want is to spend all of this time and energy traveling only to set yourself back in your recovery process.
If you’re feeling pain or discomfort, take a break from the activity that’s causing it until the pain subsides. This may mean skipping out on an excursion or cutting a day short, but it’s better to do this than to push through the pain and end up injuring yourself even more.
Stay hydrated. This is especially important when you’re doing physical therapy exercises, but it’s also key when traveling in general. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, whether you’re hiking a new trail or just sightseeing in a new city.
When it comes to travel, physical therapy doesn’t have to be the roadblock that it seems like initially. If you plan ahead, take your time with physical therapy exercises, and stay hydrated while traveling, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy yourself as much as possible during your trip!
Article Submitted By Community Writer