The Blog

Injury Prevention While Travelling

Physio approved tips to help you make the most out of your holiday, and stay prevent any injuries!

Sano

30/06/25

The Blog

Injury Prevention While Travelling

Physio approved tips to help you make the most out of your holiday, and stay prevent any injuries!

30/06/25

Injury Prevention While Travelling

Whether you’re jetting off for a beach escape or heading on a long road trip, travelling can take a surprising toll on your body. Long hours sitting, heavy luggage, unfamiliar beds, and spontaneous activity can all increase your risk of injury. But with a bit of planning and some smart habits, you can keep aches and strains at bay and focus on enjoying you holiday!

Here are our top physiotherapist approved tips to stay injury free!

  • Pack Smart, Lift Smarter – Overpacked suitcases are a classic cause of lower back injuries. Use luggage with wheels and a telescopic handle to decrease the amount of time you’ll be lifting, and distribute weight between bags rather than relying on one heavy bag.
  • Move Often During Long Journeys – Sitting for hours on planes, trains, or in cars can lead to stiffness, swelling and even back or neck pain. Try to move every 30 minutes if you can, if you’re on a plane, take a quick walk up and down the aisle, or if you’re on the road, add stretch stops to your trip.
  • Watch Your Posture – Awkward seating positions and poor posture are big culprits for travel related discomfort. Using a neck pillow will help support your spine during flights, as well as placing a small rolled towel or cushion behind your lower back. If you’re in a car, make sure to adjust your seat so that your hips and knees are level. Good posture means less strain on your back, neck and shoulders.

Physio Approved Stretches

We know it can be easier said than done to incorporate little movement breaks into your travel plans so we put together a few discreet physio-approved exercises you can do, right from your seat!

Ankle Pumps and Circles – Helps boost circulation and prevent swelling in the lower legs.

  • Keep your heels on the floor
  • Point your toes up and down for 10-15 reps
  • Follow with ankle circles in each direction

Seated Knee Lifts – Engages your core and hip flexors while loosening your hips.

  • Sit tall in your seat and lift one knee a few inches off your seat
  • Hold for 2 seconds then lower back down
  • Alternate leg for 10 reps each

Spinal Twists – A great way to relieve tension in your back and improve mobility

  • Sit upright, feet flat on the floor
  • Gently twist your upper body to the right, holding the armrest or the seat
  • Hold for 5-10 seconds, then repeat on the left side

Shoulder Rolls and Shrugs – Relieves neck and shoulder tension, especially helpful if you’re carrying bags

  • Roll your shoulders forward in slow circles (10 reps)
  • Roll them backwards (10 reps)
  • Then shrug up toward your ears and release (10 reps)

Doing just a few of these stretches every hour or two can help you arrive at your destination feeling less stiff, more refreshed and ready to move! Travel should be a break from stress, not the cause of it. By taking simple precautions and listening to your body, you can reduce your injury risk and make the most of your time away.

Heading off soon? Book a pre-travel physiotherapy session to spot and address any imbalances or mobility issues before they become a problem, your holiday self with thank you!

Think you could benefit from physiotherapy?

Get in touch now!