Chiropractic Reset: Traveling is not an easy adjustment as it disrupts the body’s internal clock. When flying even just 3 hours, the body can start to experience symptoms like:

• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Insomnia
• Joint and muscle pain
• Stiffness
• Stomach problems
• Nausea
• Hunger
• Bad mood

Not only is the flight a physical challenge, but so are the long lines, backed-up traffic, lost luggage, etc. All take a toll on the mind and body; a chiropractic reset can help restore the body’s balance and energy levels.

Jet Lag

Jet lag happens when the brain region known as the hypothalamus or center that controls sleep cycles, appetite, and temperature conflicts with travel changes. A survey from international flight attendants found that despite being used to long air travel:

• 90% had fatigue over the first five days.
• 94% had a lack of energy/motivation.
• 93% had broken sleep.
• 70% had ear, nose, or throat issues.

Scientists have estimated that it takes a full day to recover for every hour of time difference. The direction traveled can affect how intense the symptoms are since it’s easier for the body to delay its internal clock than speed it up. Traveling east is more difficult on the body compared to traveling west.

Ways To Limit The Effects

Workout

• Get a thorough physical workout the day before you fly.
• It doesn’t matter; it can be an hour on an elliptical machine, a mile jog, or a vigorous swim.
• The objective is to get the lymph system moving to help prevent edema in the legs, hands and flush toxins from the body.

Take a Walk Every Hour

• Try and get up at least once an hour for long trips and every half hour for shorter ones.
• This will help prevent back pain.
• Reduce the risk of blood clots from prolonged sitting and change in cabin pressure.

Bring Familiar Food

• Fresh fruit, vegetables can be placed in a ziplock baggie.
• Nuts are allowed as long as there are no passengers with severe allergies.
• If it’s a long flight, include protein-like:
• Chicken wings.
• Hard-boiled eggs.
• Cooked burgers.
• All fit the criteria for a long plane flight.

Sleep

• Try and get a proper night’s rest the night before the flight.
• Eye patches and music also work well if available.
• Utilize the flying time to increase rest.

Exercise

• Exercise while in the seat or the aisles; try seated calf raises, trunk rotations.

Flight time can make a difference

• If possible, try to get a flight that gets to your destination in the evening.
• Then, stay up until 10 pm local time.
• If you have to take a nap, set the alarm not to surpass two hours.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol

• You don’t have to go without alcohol or caffeine, but they should be cut out a few hours before sleeping.
• Both can affect the ability to fall asleep, stay asleep, and the quality of sleep.

Change sleep patterns beforehand

• In the week leading up to the trip, start adjusting sleep time and wake time to get closer to the new time zone.
• This way, upon arrival, the body is basically adjusted.

Skip the big meal

• To help the digestive system, try not to eat a massive meal upon arrival.
• Allow body functions like sleep and digestion to adjust to the changes.

Bask in the sun

• Daylight has a significant effect on the body’s clock.
• Get outside to wake up the brain to help the body and mind adjust to the daytime hours.

Melatonin

• This is a hormone in the body that helps control the circadian rhythm.
• Melatonin is dependent on the amount of light the body is exposed to.
• When there’s light, melatonin release is stopped.
• When dark, melatonin release is stimulated.
• It is recommended not to take melatonin before leaving, or it will make the jet lag worse.
• Wait until landing in the new time zone to supplement one hour before regular sleep time at the new location.
• Continue for three nights or until the body has adjusted.

Pycnogenol

• Pycnogenol has been studied for its effect of reducing jet lag symptoms.
• It reduces cerebral and joint swelling, which leads to fewer short-term memory problems, fatigue, and cardiac issues.
• It has been shown to decrease deep vein thrombosis and superficial vein thrombosis, typical side effects of long flights.
• Recommendations are to take three times a day for up to five days maximum of seven days after landing.

Chiropractic Reset

Chiropractic reset adjustments the day before and especially after the flight can restore balance to the nervous system and the body. This will help reset sleeping and waking patterns after the stress of flying.

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Body Composition

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Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a name for a set of symptoms and conditions that revolve around cardiovascular health.

• Obesity and a high amount of visceral fat are significant risk factors for being diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.
• Individuals can prevent metabolic syndrome by:
• Focusing on minimizing visceral fat.
• Maximizing lean mass leads to weight loss.
• A diet that boosts HDL is essential.
• Proper body hydration.

Body composition analysis can be thought of as a tool for understanding the approach to preventing the onset of metabolic syndrome. Knowing how to identify the risks can support individuals in making informed decisions on their healthcare journey.

References

Belcaro, G et al. “Jet-lag: prevention with Pycnogenol. Preliminary report: evaluation in healthy individuals and hypertensive patients.” Minerva cardioangiologica vol. 56,5 Suppl (2008): 3-9.

Herxheimer, Andrew. “Jet lag.” BMJ clinical evidence vol. 2014 2303. 29 Apr. 2014

Janse van Rensburg, Dina C Christa et al. “How to manage travel fatigue and jet lag in athletes? A systematic review of interventions.” British journal of sports medicine vol. 54,16 (2020): 960-968. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2019-101635

Straub, WF et al. “The effect of chiropractic care on jet lag of Finnish junior elite athletes.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 24,3 (2001): 191-8.

Zerón-Rugerio, María Fernanda et al. “Eating Jet Lag: A Marker of the Variability in Meal Timing and Its Association with Body Mass Index.” Nutrients vol. 11,12 2980. 6 Dec. 2019, doi:10.3390/nu11122980