There are a lot of things you can control when you’re taking a vacation. Some of those include your budget, where you stay, what you eat, and what you see. However, sometimes when you’re on vacation, things happen unexpectedly and you have to deal with a curveball. It could be things like your credit or debit card not working. Maybe you were pickpocketed or got sick. Maybe you were injured right before your trip, or you have a chronic pain condition that you deal with.

In my case, I haven’t had cartilage in my knees since I was sixteen thanks to a mix of genetics & sports. What that means is that when I travel, my knees are my worst enemy.

So, what’s it like travelling when you’re in pain and what are some tips that I can give you? Keep in mind that my tips are mainly for knee injuries, which can often radiate into the calves, hamstrings, quads, and feet (it’s wild how sensitive your Achilles tendon can get!). Some of these can absolutely be applied to other injuries, because pain is pain.

Coping With Pain

• Buy a lacrosse ball – these things have been my saviour. Foam rollers might be too large to pack, but a lacrosse ball will do a deep tissue massage that will be painful, but help with fascial release. If you’re doing a lot of walking, these are also fantastic because you can use them on the bottoms of your feet to ease pain. They’re fantastic to really help with knots and hard to reach spots and they take up minimal space
  
• If you have the room for it, bring a massage gun. There are smaller versions around these days, and like the above, they can really make the difference, especially if your vacation involves a heavy amount of walking. That said, if you’re strapped for space, get the lacrosse ball or find a local reputable masseuse
  
• Don’t tough it out – if you’re in pain, take something to help. Too often, I’ve tried to brave it out, but now that I’ve travelled more, I will take the Aleve or the Tylenol (or whatever applies in in the situation) because it will save the rest of my vacation. I still take it sparingly for when I need it, but it helps to get a good night’s
  
• Wear good shoes. If you have foot or leg pain, wearing shoes without support will only make your pain worse. Make sure that you’ve broken in your shoes and offer strong support. It will make all the difference, especially if you’re clocking 10+ miles a day

• STRETCH. It’s not very glamorous and sometimes it’s annoying. However, the best thing to do sometimes is take ten minutes in the morning and the evening to stretch. You can find stretches online for your particular brand of pain, but it can make all the difference.
  
• Look into orthotics, whether permanent or temporary. If you have a brace or other method to help compensate, bring that. Some work plans will even cover the creation of these supplementary items, but double check with your insurance. Once you have them, take them and use them. There’s no point pushing through pain only to take away from your enjoyment of the rest of your time.
  
• Sometimes, you won’t be able to keep going. The best thing for you might be taking a day off and relaxing. It might not be your original plan, but it’s better than coming back with a lingering injury. Maybe you can do a half-day, or trade in the hustle & bustle for a local activity that’s more relaxing.
  
• If you’re finding that things are tipping past the boiling point, look into saunas, hot tubs, or other spa-type amenities. Many hotels will at least have a hot tub that can be used to soak sore muscles. Using that in combination with some of the other tips on this list might make the difference that keeps you going
  
• Once the trip is over, don’t stop with your recuperation process. There’s a good chance you’re going to feel it for a while. Book appointments with physio, osteo, or whatever health provider can help. Rest up. Drink water. Make sure you keep stretching. With all that combined, it shouldn’t take long at all before you’re back in fighting shape, with all the fantastic memories of your trip to remind you why it was all worth it!

Pain can be an unfortunate companion when you travel, but there are ways to mitigate it. Try some of these out if you’re feeling a flare-up on your trip.

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