Tips to a Happy Back when on Vacation

Hilton namesake - not Dr. Sarah!

Being a working mother of three small children (all of which are under 5 years old), I rarely have the opportunity to go on vacation.  No, scratch that... I have NEVER been away overnight without my children!  Needless to say, a weekend away was much overdue! And so, off I went leaving Barrie, Ontario behind for the Hilton with my husband and together - we played the role of "tourist" for the weekend. Shortly into our new found freedom, I had decided that writing a blog on the subject of how to make sure your back does not spoil your vacation would be appropriate.

Tips to ensure a happy back while on vacation: 

1) Our body is a creature of habit! Meaning it really does not like a lot of change all at once.  Often times a change in your bed or pillow causes the body to revolt.  Mimizing this change helps us better transition into unfamiliar surroundings.  Seeing as it is impossible to travel with your own mattress I always recommend to patients that they bring along their own pillow. And, following my own sage advice, this is what I did!  The pillow I use is the same one that I recommend to family, friends and patients.  It's a standard, double curvature therapeutic pillow made by Vitacare. Standard meaning its a good pillow, accommodates most neck types and won't break the bank!  I also recommend that if you are travelling to the same spot (ie. have a cottage, travel trailer or stay regularly with friends or family) buy one and keep it at your destination!  Your neck will LOVE it and in turn, you will have a better sleep.  There's nothing worse than a poor night's sleep resulting in a sore neck that ruins your next day of sightseeing.


2) The second thing that I am vigilant about is making sure I drink lots of water.  Rarely do I place a glass of water on the night table but I do when travelling.  Hotels are notorious for being hot and dry.  Your activity level also increases as you explore your new surroundings and in doing so we sweat more than usual.  Often times, we vacation in sunny, hot destinations.  Eating out at restaurants changes our diets such that we would do well to flush our systems with extra fluid - that being WATER!  Rule of thumb: for all the above reasons drink lots of water AND when you think you have drank enough, drink a little more to ensure that you have replenished your stores. 




3) ALWAYS wear good shoes!  Why? Leaving the hotel to explore the surroundings you invariable leave thinking you will return in a few hours which usually ends up being the entire day!  This is where you leave fashion for more supportive, shock absorbing shoes like runners - even better shoes with orthotic inserts or footwear in which the orthotics are built in (ie. sandals) as they are made for your foot.  There's nothing that can dampen a vacation quicker than sore, aching feet with blisters.  Whenever standing, I'm usually not far from my orthotics.  Orthotic companies have done well in the last decade or so to "upgrade" the "fashionability" of orthotics. Suffice it to say, that we can leave behind the old mindset that comfortable and supportive shoes are ugly! This is simply not true.  This is  the orthotic sandal that I wore all weekend as I pounded the pavement exploring (click on link to view). Keeping your feet happy usually translates into a happier back!