By Mary Ann Wilson, RN
Sitting in one position for prolonged periods of time, as in car or airplane travel, affects us in several ways. It can:
1) weaken our stomach and back muscles,
2) compound lower back problems,
3) reduce range of motion, causing inflexible joints, and
4) contribute to poor circulation, especially in the legs.
When you finally arrive at your destination, you may find yourself sore and exhausted. Tension tends to build up in the hands, shoulders, neck, and back.
It’s no surprise when you feel stiff and tired. If you are traveling by R.V. or in a car, stop and take a stroll every few hours. Exercise is the most natural way to combat soreness and exhaustion, and to avoid the inevitable lack of energy. You might think traveling by plane or train is too confining to do strengthening and stretching exercises, but here are a few simple routines to keep you limber the next time you are away from home.
Back Stretch Warm-Up
Interlace fingers with palms turned away and push the arms forward at shoulder height until you feel the back stretching. Unlace fingers and press upper arms into the back of seat. Squeeze the shoulder blades and then release. Now touch the top of shoulders with your hands and lift elbows up to shoulder level. Bring elbows together in front to touch, then open slowly bringing elbows as far back as comfortable, so that you feel a gentle stretch across the chest. Do this sequence
2 times.
Finger Walk & Back Massage
Placing hands on top of shoulders, lift elbows up and return to starting position. Do this 3 times, lifting elbows higher each time. The third time, use 2 or 3 fingers to walk down the back, gently digging fingers into the muscles as you walk them. Now slide fingers back to shoulders with a gentle pulling motion on the muscle, producing a massaging sensation. This loosens up muscle and connective tissue. Now with hands on shoulders again, walk hands back until almost at center of spine. Then slide hands forward, returning to collar bone. Gently massage back and forth across chest just under collar bone.
Thymus Tap
To strengthen your immune system, find your thymus gland. To locate it, find the notch where the collarbones meet— and measure about 2 inches below the notch. Using 3 fingers, gently tap that “magic spot” 5 times every day.
Posture Stretch
With elbows bent, put hands on thighs, palms down. Straighten arms by sliding hands down top of thigh. Push hands into thighs, which should automatically lift chest and pull the neck back over the shoulders. This is an excellent way to straighten sagging posture.
Semi-Pretzel
Place right hand on right hip and with left hand, reach across body and rest hand on right mid-thigh. Now pull thigh with left hand, lengthen spine, and look over right shoulder. Hold for a count of 3. Repeat on left side.
Samba Shoulders
With feet together, rock toes and heels back and forth several times. Now with heels lifted, come up on toes and cup palms on each knee. Straighten arm and push right knee so that right heel is down to floor. At the same time pull left shoulder back. Keep alternating this movement 4 to 8 times.
Back Stretch For Confined Spaces
Rest hands on thighs. Keeping spine straight, lean forward from hip with chest and chin lifted. Feel the stretch starting from the tailbone (coccyx) up through the back. You’ll notice a tiny arch in the small of the back. Place both hands on the arch, sit up tall and pull elbows back to stretch the front of your chest.
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