Travel is good for the soul.
Mission Osteopathy Medical Clinic · May 2026
Travel is good
for the soul.
Your monthly health letter from Dr. Brinsky
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Summer is almost here, and with it comes one of my favorite topics to discuss with patients — travel. Whether you're boarding a long-haul flight, hitting the road, or finally taking that trip you've been putting off, a little preparation goes a long way toward arriving (and returning) feeling your best. This month: what to pack, how to move on planes, and how OMM helps before and after any adventure.
Travel Prep
What to Pack in Your Travel Medicine Kit
A well-stocked kit can spare you from a frantic pharmacy run in an unfamiliar city. Here's what I recommend to most patients:
Pain & Fever Relief
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and/or ibuprofen (Advil) are the MVPs. Ibuprofen also helps with inflammation from long days of walking. Avoid ibuprofen if you have kidney issues or a sensitive stomach — stick with acetaminophen in that case. And don't forget Voltaren gel (diclofenac 1%) — a topical anti-inflammatory that's great for sore knees, feet, or joints after a long day of sightseeing, without the GI side effects of oral NSAIDs.
Nausea & Motion Sickness
Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) or Bonine (meclizine) for motion sickness. Pepto-Bismol tablets are great for traveler's stomach. Ginger chews are a gentle, natural option worth tossing in your bag.
Allergies & Congestion
Cetirizine (Zyrtec) or loratadine (Claritin) for non-drowsy relief. A nasal saline spray is underrated — airplane cabin humidity runs around 10–20%, and keeping your nasal passages moist helps protect against germs in recirculated air.
Sleep & Jet Lag
Melatonin (0.5–3 mg) is my first-line recommendation for jet lag — gentle, effective, non-habit-forming. Start low and take it close to your target bedtime at your destination. I'd avoid relying on Benadryl for sleep, especially for older adults.
First Aid & Chronic Medications
Bandages, antiseptic wipes, blister pads (a must for walkers), tweezers, and a small tube of antibiotic ointment. If you take any regular medications, pack at least a week's extra supply — always in original labeled containers, especially for international travel.
Gut Health
Loperamide (Imodium) for acute diarrhea, plus a probiotic to support gut health — especially when eating unfamiliar foods. Note that antibiotics are not routinely recommended for traveler's diarrhea; most cases resolve on their own with supportive care. If you develop severe or prolonged symptoms, check in with your doctor.
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Doctor's Tip
Carry a printed list of your current medications and allergies — I'm happy to print one at your next visit. It's a small thing that can matter a lot in an unfamiliar setting.
In the Air
Move Your Body — Even at 35,000 Feet
Prolonged sitting compresses your spine, tightens your hip flexors, and reduces circulation in your legs — increasing the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) on long flights. These simple moves make a real difference:
Ankle Pumps & Circles — every 30–60 min
Lift your feet and flex/point 10–15 times, then make slow circles in both directions. This activates your calf muscles, which act as a venous pump to push blood back up from your legs.
Seated Spinal Twist
Sit tall, place your right hand on your left knee. Inhale to lengthen, then exhale and gently rotate left, looking over your left shoulder. Hold 20–30 seconds, switch sides. This directly counteracts lumbar compression from sitting.
Neck & Shoulder Release
Drop your right ear toward your right shoulder and hold 20 seconds. For a deeper stretch, gently rest your right hand on your left temple — no pulling. Switch sides. Follow with 5 slow shoulder rolls in each direction.
Aisle Walk + Hip Flexor Stretch — every 1–2 hrs
Get up and walk to the galley. While standing, step one foot back and sink your hips slightly forward for a gentle hip flexor stretch — 20–30 seconds per side. Your psoas will thank you when you land.
Hydration (More Than You Think)
Cabin humidity is around 10–20% — far drier than almost any environment you'd normally be in. Aim for 8 oz of water per hour in flight, and limit alcohol and caffeine. Pack an empty bottle through security and fill it at the gate.
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Doctor's Tip
At elevated DVT risk? (prior clot, recent surgery, pregnancy, or flights over 6 hours) — please talk to me before your trip. Compression stockings are simple, effective, and a game-changer for how your legs feel on arrival. And bonus — they even make cute ones now!
Osteopathic Care
How OMM Helps Before & After Travel
Travel asks a lot of your body — long flights, unfamiliar beds, heavy bags, time zone shifts. OMM is one of the most effective tools I have for preparing you to go and helping you recover when you're back.
Pre-Trip: Set Your Body Up for Success
A pre-travel session addresses restrictions in your thoracic spine, rib cage, and hips — the areas most impacted by prolonged sitting. Better mobility going in means your body handles the trip's demands more easily.
Post-Trip Recovery: Reset After You Land
Tight neck and shoulders, low back pain, hip stiffness, lingering fatigue — these are the most common post-travel complaints I see. Myofascial release, muscle energy, and craniosacral therapy help decompress those areas and shift your nervous system back into rest-and-recover mode.
A different kind of care — before and after.
With DPC, I can actually work with you proactively — before a trip to prepare your body, and after to help it recover. There's no rushing, no 10-minute slot. If you're planning something big this summer, let's talk. I'd love to be part of making it feel great.
See OMM Travel Techniques on Instagram
Follow along for Reels on in-flight stretches, pre- and post-travel OMM, and practical wellness tips from the clinic.
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Planning a Trip This Summer?
Come in for a pre-travel tune-up or a post-trip recovery visit. I can also help you build a personalized travel medicine kit based on your health history and destination. As a DPC patient, you have direct access — no referrals, no waiting.
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