Prevent Back Pain Before Setting Foot on the Plane

If you suffer from back pain, there are a few precautions you can take while still on the ground. Don't lock your knees while you're standing in all those lines; this causes bad posture and puts pressure on the lower back. Bend your knees slightly, and keep your pelvis tucked in. Utilize luggage carts for big checked bags and don't overload yourself with heavy or unwieldy carry-ons---you'll be dragging and hoisting them a lot. If you experience sharp, stabbing back pain or spasms en route, ice is the best stopgap remedy; massaging the feet may also help, as reflexologists say that the instep has correlations to the spine, and working your thumbs up and down the area may ease some back pain.

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