When your back hurts the last thing you want to do is to be confined to a small space in an uncomfortable chair for several hours. For example think of the last time you were on an airplane with a person on either side of you. If you suffer from back pain then you know exatly what I am talking about.
But what if you were offered a choice between being strapped in an uncomfortable chair for a 5 hr plane ride across the country… or paying a little bit more for a spine friendly seat, what would you do?
Spineuniverseconducted aurvey recently , and found that 88% people who had flown in North America in the last year reported that they had back or neck pain after a typical flight.
Well what about the questionwe posed at the outset?
Seventy-four percent said they would pay more for a special seat that doesn’t give them back or neck pain.
How much more? What would you be willing to pay to be comfortable?
SpineUniverse went on to say the travelers who suffer the most are willing to pay up to $50 more, while 20 percent would pay up to $100 more.
I wonder If the airlines are listening?
Pro Massage Therapy Comments
I know several people that would be more then happy to pay a little bit more to not have excruciating back pain. In fact I bet there would be people willing to upgrade mid-flight once the old back pain kicked in. Until the airlines are willing to make modifications to the seating, here are a few things to keep in mind before traveling:
- Lumbar pillow. They are cheap insurance. A therapeutic pillow will run you under $20 and they last for a long time.
- Drink plenty of water
- Bring your favorite aspirin, pain killer or anti-anflammatory with you.
- After the trip use ice to reduce swelling
- Grab a massage while on vacation to relieve those stress points.