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News Releases
Arthritis Center Offers Tips To "Take the Pain" Out of Holiday Travel
Columbia, Mo. (Dec. 21, 2004) - When it comes to traveling for the holidays, "Over the river and through the woods" can take on a less joyful meaning for people who have arthritis. Cramped car or airplane seats, unpredictable weather and long check-in lines at airports can make you dread the "most wonderful time of the year." However, experts at the Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (MARRTC) at the University of Missouri-Columbia say there are ways to help take the pain out of holiday travel - literally!
Occupational therapist Diana Baldwin says the most important thing to remember is doing joint stretches every 20 minutes or so when riding in a car or plane. Joint stretches include opening and closing the hands; bending and rotating the wrist and elbows; rotating the shoulders; gentle neck rolls; bending the back, hips, knees, and ankles; and wiggling the toes.
"A person should never go more than an hour riding without getting out or up and walking," Baldwin says. "Holding the body in a mechanically compressed position can be harmful and painful."
Some other tips that people with arthritis can take to take the travail out of travel include:
-- Pack smartly. A suitcase with fewer items is easier to carry and clothing stays fresher.
-- Roll along. Make sure you use a suitcase with rolling wheels and a pull-up handle so you are not
putting unnecessary stress on your joints.
-- Rest up. You will enjoy your holiday more if you make sure you get plenty of sleep.
-- Post your packages. Don't carry cumbersome holiday gifts with you. Shop online or stop by the post
office and ship all your packages before you leave.
-- Book a room. Consider staying in a hotel, even if you are invited to spend your holiday with family or
friends in their homes. Sometimes in the hectic holiday atmosphere, it is nice to have a place you can go to relax and have some quiet time to yourself.
-- Medical insurance. Remember to pack insurance cards so that you can replace any lost medication.
-- Bring a snack. Carry a bottle of water and a small snack like fruit or peanut butter crackers.
-- Bring the bottles. Keep medications in their original bottles, and carry a note from your doctor in case
you are questioned by airport security.
-- Have a back-up plan. Always bring a lightweight carry-on bag to hold your medications and other
vital items.
-- Be flexible. If you aren't feeling up to driving, don't push it. Postpone your trip one day. Or if you get
tired, pull over and walk around, have cup of coffee or get a light bite to eat.
-- Use swivel seat cushions for car. Getting in and out of the car is often a deterrent for people with
arthritis. Consider buying swivel seat cushions that are sold in the arthritis self-help catalogues
and drug stores.
-- Use special key holder for car key. Consider buying a special key holder for your car keys to
decrease the twisting of your wrist to open car doors and turn on the engine. You also might want to ask for keyless lock entry as a Christmas present!
-- Share the road. Get someone to share the driving with you. That way you can switch off as needed
and everyone feels better when they arrive.
Last but not least, don't fret if you don't feel that you are up to traveling this holiday season. You can still have a wonderful holiday without leaving home by either going out to eat with in-town family and friends; calling your loved ones or asking the family visit you this year instead.
Arthritis affects an estimated 70 million Americans - nearly one of every three people. It's an umbrella term for more than 100 diseases and conditions, which affect joints, the surrounding tissues and other connective tissues. For information about MARRTC, visit the Web site at www.marrtc.org.
The Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (MARRTC) was established in 1971 at the University of Missouri-Columbia Arthritis Center. MARRTC is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (H133B031120) and is the only federally funded arthritis rehabilitation research and training center in the country.
As part of the MU Health Communication Research Center (HCRC), MARRTC's mission is to become a national leader in the areas of disability management and communication, improve the quality of life and promote independent living among people who have arthritis and arthritic conditions.
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