5 Tips to Ease Business Travel With Arthritis

Business travel can be a challenge when you have arthritis. Lugging luggage can be stressful to joints. Long flights can exacerbate pain and stiffness. And sticking to your medication schedule can be difficult when your schedule is disrupted. These five tips can help ease the pain of business travel with arthritis.

1. Plan your flights during the day. Don’t try to take overnight flights to save money because sleeping on a plane is difficult in the best of circumstances. 

2. Enroll in TSA PreCheck or CLEAR. Lines at security checkpoints are shorter and you don’t have to remove your shoes, belts, light jackets, laptops and 3-1-1 liquids. 

3. Pack anything you might need, even if you don’t need it regularly at home, i.e., acetaminophen/Ibuprofen, joint brace, cane, etc. 

4. Use a backpack for your computer and work supplies, and wear both straps. It evenly distributes the weight and won’t strain your joints as much as a shoulder or messenger-style bag. Strap the backpack to your roller bag when walking to give your back and shoulders a break.

5. Use a pill organizer or pack medications in baggies for each day (or per time you take them) so you don’t miss a dose. Put reminders or alarms in your phone so you don’t forget to take them while you’re busy working.