The holiday season brings joy, family gatherings, and unfortunately for many, significant spine-related discomfort. According to the American Automobile Association, over 115 million Americans travel during major holiday periods, with the vast majority spending hours in cramped airline seats, behind steering wheels, or packed into various forms of transportation. What most travelers don't realize is that these seemingly routine journeys can create lasting spinal problems that persist long after the holidays end.
Research indicates that up to 88% of frequent travelers experience some form of back or neck pain related to their journeys. The combination of prolonged sitting, heavy luggage handling, unfamiliar sleeping arrangements, and holiday stress creates a perfect storm for spinal dysfunction. Yet most people view travel discomfort as an inevitable inconvenience rather than a preventable health concern that can be effectively addressed through proactive chiropractic care.
We’ve observed that patients who receive chiropractic adjustments before major travel periods experience significantly fewer travel-related spine issues and recover more quickly when problems do arise. This preventive approach transforms holiday travel from a source of physical stress into an opportunity for maintaining optimal spinal health throughout the busy season.