Travelling Europe with backpain...

Backs are tricky, and you should consult your doctor. But I also suffered a prolonged lower back injury several years ago, and my doctor's advice to me was to "keep moving". Walking is the best cure for lower back issues, and he actually encouraged me to travel if it meant walking around a lot. Getting shoe inserts which are designed for back issues, and wearing hiking boots helped a lot as well. It goes without saying that I didn't use a backpack:) But the good news is that walking did help out my back. Though it took about a year of regular walking until the pain and discomfort went away completely, it actually strengthened my back, and haven't had any problems since.

Follow your Doctor's advice. (And the above post about good shoes) And if you go, plan to pack really lightly. Also do not plan any long train/car rides. Maybe get an apartment or university lodgeing and plan lots of rest breaks if you can. I'd also talk with your doctor about pain medicaiton and braces. Consider taking a cane that has a seat- it folds up when you are walking- but you can stop and rest or use it in long lines when needed. The flight will probably be your biggest challenge if you plan well.

Be sure you don't bring GEL shoe inserts - that's a no-no for getting through security. Gel IN your shoes is OK. I was also going to suggest the Seat Cane. I'll assume your problem is due to muscles, and not bone/disk. How are you enjoying yourself today, at home? If you can be comfortable these days, then taking it easy in Europe will probably be fine... On the airplane: Grab pillows on your way down the aisle! (or, bring something inflatable of your own - even a $0.99 half-deflated beach ball). Walk - alot. It's good for your circulation, anyway. Get something under your feet to raise your knees in the airplane seat - shifts your lower back. Bring LOTS of pain meds - prescription (in original containers), or just OTC meds...but PLENTY! You want to take as many as you want without the urge to hoard them for later. (cont.)

(cont.) If you ride trains, you can walk as much as you'd like, so that's good! Plan your sight-seeing carefully - use museum passes in Paris to avoid STANDING in lines, for instance. Cut your sight-seeing way back, then add things back in as you're able. Start slowly. Wear thick-soled shoes (you should anyway) so the cobbles don't cause your back to feel and react to every single one. Sit and rest often - get a snack, or watch the trees sway in the breeze from a park bench. Stretch your back more often; you're not used to being this physical - back problems or not. I always bring 2 pairs of shoes to give my feet and especially my back different muscles to get sore LOL! Changing shoes might be a big help. Pack very lightly. Very lightly. Very lightly. I don't know if you're traveling solo or not; if so, depending on your problem a very light backpack may be much easier on you than pulling a rolling bag...if you're careful putting it on and off. Of course, it should be very light ;-) It can be really hard on your back if you're pulling a bag for very long; if so, watch your form!

If applying heat helps you, bring some ThermaCare patches. For my back I use the ones meant for your shoulder. I especially like using one for the plane. And as the others have said, just keep on moving. Take breaks when you need to. And most importantly...have a good time!!

Amanda, It's difficult to offer much in the way of specific advice, as none of us here knows the nature or severity of your back problem. The first question that occurs to me is what does your Physician or Specialist have to say about your plans to travel in Europe? On the assumption that your condition is somewhat "manageable" for travel, my suggestions would be the same as the others - use a portable chair for rests when required, take frequent breaks and try to "pace yourself" with walking. If your condition involves the muscles of the lower back, you might use a product like Robaxacet Platinum which combines an analgesic with a muscle relaxant. The version containing Ibuprofen might be more effective than the version with Acetominophen, as NSAID's are generally better for reducing inflammation. Be sure to check with your Doctor to see if this would be a suitable method for your particular condition. Unfortunately, you'll have to contend with "prolonged sitting" during the flight to Europe. It appears that you'll be travelling from the west coast, so the flight will be 8-12 hours depending on destination. It might be better to choose an aisle seat, so that you can get up whenever possible for a short walk. Good luck and happy travels!

I went to Europe in August with a knee and lower back problem. The suggestions people have made are great ones. I did take pain pills along to be on the safe side but didn't have to take that often. The cane with the seat helped me immensely. Not only did it allow me to sit down occasionally instead of standing for long periods, but it also helped on a number of occasions with lines. Several times we were asked to come to the front of the line when they saw the cane - which was unbelievably nice and helped a lot. I actually think my back felt better after the trip - pushed myself more than I do at home.

You back is gonna hurt in Europe, its gonna hurt in B.C. Obviously if sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time is what bothers it the most you need to limit how much of that you do. I don't know what your plans are but if they are flexible, I would greatly scale down your trip. Maybe stick to just one or two locations. Get a centrally located hotel so you can easily get back and rest if you need to.

Can you take Thermacare's through security without any problem? We're going to France and can we get Thermacare's there? I assume that it would be at a pharmacy; does anyone have experience with this?

I too have the back problem(disk) but am researching now for a collapsible chair, lightweight & will fit in my carry-on. I already have collapsible cane which I carry in backpack for "just in case". My question: does anyone know where I can purchase the seat in Paris rather than packing it?

Thank you for all the great advice! I am definitely going to look into one of those cane/seats...I've never even heard of them before. When I injured my back in July I ruptured my largest lumbar disk and the one above it is bulging but as my nerves are still working i don't need surgery at this point. I have talked to my dr about my trip and she is reserving any comments as to whether or not I should go, just says if I do go not to over do it. My pain greatly changes from day to day...for example today I drove to Vancouver (1.5hrs) and by the time I got there I couldn't sit in the waiting room...I wore a thermacare wrap (1st time trying it) and it did help with my discomfort quite a bit.
I've been wondering if I can get thermacare in Europe? Thank you so much everyone =)

And thanks for the tip on Gel insoles Eileen! I have some in my shoes and would hate to find out the hard way I couldn't take them. =) Amanda

I take the ThermaCare's with me. Take them out of the box and spread them around your suitcase. I don't have major back problems, but I find using one is quite helpful for the flights. You might need it more often.

http://www.magellans.com/store/Health___Hygiene___Walking_AidsWA222 This is what we're talking about; search online for prices (and some offer different sizes/lengths). And FYI - you sit on it with the handle in the FRONT! They also have a collapsable, three-legged stool for sale; I have this, but NOT at their crazy price; try REI - they should be more like $25 or so... Disk problems are different from muscle problems; if you and your doctor think it's a 'go', then have a great time. Just slow WAY down! Pay attention to your body... And to be clear...you CAN take your gel insoles in your CHECKED luggage.

I don't know about other European countries, but Thermacare has been introduced in France. It is not widely available, but you can find it in pharmacies. If you're in Paris, where there's a pharmacy every block, it shouldn't be impossible to find it. Can't guarantee it in smaller villages, though.

Talk to your Doctor. I,too, have back pain and take Ibuprofen with me. I find that a light backpack is easier to deal with than a rollaboard because the rollaboard twists my back when I pull it. Just take your time lifting it into the overhead and take lots of breaks to rest. Have a great time.

about 2 months prior to my 2009 trip to Eastern Europe, my chronic arthritic back pain took a turn for the worse. I started to experience neurological symptoms with numb feet and deep aching vascular leg pain. A day prior to my trip, my orthopedic surgeon said I would need surgery to repair my 3 level disc herniation. I told him about my trip and he prescribed me tramadol/muscle relaxers/anti-inflammatory. I then made sure I brought my portable lumbar support because airplane seats are the worse, with or without back pain. I also brought the thermacare heat patches and icy hot patches to wear at night. I used an osprey back pack, which increased the numbness in my feet but not necessarily my pain. I survived the trip. Sitting was difficult, as when I would stand, that vascular vice grip pain in my lower leg would make me howl momentarily. I loved my Budapest portion, where the thermal baths eliminated my pain for about 3 days or so. OUt of all my self care items, the anti inflamatory and the lumbar support were my lifesavers. My boyfriend was as chivalrous as can be and often would carry my pack, especially when it came to placing the bag overhead in various modes of transportation. When I returned, I had to take 2 days off of work to recover. I did aquatic therapy and now I am back to my normal arthritic pain, which I will take any day just as long as I never have neurological pain.

Kelly: could you give me more detail about your lumbar support and what it looks like - also, what kind of store to buy it in. Looking forward to your response. And if anyone else has info on this, I would really appreciate it.

I bought a back brace recently for my mom who had disk surgery (cyst removed- thought iw was ruptured disk at first). It is black, has removable/adjustable lumbar supports and adjustable velcro closures. I found it at Walmart- though I have seen similar at Rite Aide, CVS, and Walgreens. It cost around $20 and she has found it very comfortable.

This is an example of what I had. It came from a medical cataloge, not sure which one. The price on this one is high, but I bet you can find them cheaper online or even in DME stores (durable medical equipment stores). Here in the Tampa Bay area, we also have stores called Relax the Back Stores, which is a candy store for those looking for ergonomic options for pain issues. Maybe you have something simular in Canada. http://www.optp.com/Original-McKenzie-SlimLine-Lumbar-Support_705.aspx Edit: It was portable enough for my trip, as I just clipped it to my pack when in route to my next destination.

Magellan has a rolling suitcase in 3 different sizes that is designed to sit on. It is called a "Walkin' bag". I haven't used one, but have thought of getting one. The web site is - http://www.magellans.com/store/Luggage___Carry_On_BagsLC279?Args=

Amanda, I had problems with lower back pain in 2009. I found a combination of physical therapy exercises and heat packs helped me to manage the pain. Ask your doctor they can recomment any PT for your condition.
Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks for the link to the walking bag...that is definitely something I am going to think about =)
I have done quite a bit of physio already...and an occupational rehab program...I think they helped to a point, but the pain still goes down my leg and makes my foot numb. I think I need to keep doing the aqua-therapy though, that did help a lot. Thank you everyone for the replies, I have gotten some great ideas and hopefully my trip can be all I have hoped and dreamed =)