How To Soothe Tired Muscles While Travelling

Regardless of just how much you enjoy travelling, there’s no denying the feeling of relief that comes with retiring to your hotel room at the end of a long day of sight-seeing especially if you’ve been travelling on foot.

As I was born with bilateral talipes (i.e. clubfoot) and I had corrective surgery on my feet as a baby, I often struggle with being on my feet for long periods of time. While I try to schedule in rest breaks and avoid standing for too long if I can, this isn’t always easy to achieve, especially when you’re travelling with a larger group, and you don’t want to miss out on seeing any of the top landmarks.

I’d never let this put me off travelling, though; rest assured, there are a number of things you can do to ease muscular pains while travelling away from home.

Here are some of my favourite ways to sooth aches and pains while travelling:

Travel with a massage gun

A massage gun is probably the last item that springs to your mind when you think about packing your suitcase. However, these nifty gadgets can prove invaluable in easing tired muscles while on the road.

With a shape resembling that of a power drill, portable massage guns are ideal for carrying out ‘percussion massage’ therapy on-the-go, without having to pay to see a professional massage therapist. Whether you require intense recovery after a long hike, or perhaps just fancying a relaxing deep tissue massage after a spa session, a portable massage gun will always come in handy while travelling.

See a physiotherapist

While massage guns can make for a wonderful way to resolve muscular pain while you’re unable to visit your regular GP at home, if you’re still in pain after using them, you might need to consult the help of a professional physiotherapist locally to you.

While it can feel daunting to have to hunt down registered, reliable and trustworthy medical professionals when you’re staying in an unfamiliar place, this shouldn’t stop you from seeking out the care you need.

Plus, if you simply turn to the internet, you’ll find a wealth of review websites and trusted platforms listing contact details for reputable therapists near you. Who knows, you may even come across a seasonal physio sale or find a newly launched therapist offering a discount. In any case, you might find that your travel insurance policy will cover the costs of your treatment, although it always pays to double check the small print in advance.

Give yoga a go

While working out is often the last thing we want – or should – do after a muscular injury, a gentle form of exercise like yoga can make for a sensible way to ensure our bodies stay mobile and encourage our muscles to heal, while avoiding any strenuous physical activity.

In fact, some people find yoga so immensely rewarding, both physically and spiritually, that they actually take holidays solely with the goal of practicing yoga in mind. Yoga retreats, as they’re more commonly known, are becoming increasingly popular among tourists.

A couple of years ago, I stayed at Suryalila Yoga Retreat Centre in Andalusia, southern Spain on a Spanish wine and yoga retreat; if you’re looking for a peaceful getaway in the Spanish sunshine, I honestly can’t recommend it enough! Read all about my experience here.