in a few weeks i will be heading from Canada to Florida for a 10 day vacay with my little family. my family is super excited, but sadly i've been dreading it. i have SI joint issues...hip tightness, and therefore low back pain. the thought of standing in lines at theme parks is enough to make me cry....
soooo...my question is...what can i do to help myself? i am thinking if there were a few things i could do for maybe 15 minutes twice a day that would really help keep me loosened and stretched...it could make a big difference. i will not have my roller, or anything else with me- just a floor. i do not look forward to taking lots of painkillers- but that is the only way i will somewhat get through this. sooo...i guess i am asking for highly effective hip releasers, and low back stretches. i am not looking to gain strength or to "get a good workout". any thoughts? thanks so much,
Cindy

Cindy ~ I suggest you post this on our facebook page in hopes we get more responses that will help you to enjoy your vacation. Unfortunately, the members don't go to the forums as often as we'd like in this type of situation.

Hi Cindy,
I also have this issue with SI. And I can most def relate . I dread long car and plane rides . I do have some very good exercises that you can do lying on the floor with no props at all when you are having a flare. I will be happy to share these with you in an email if you are interested. ALot of them came from my PT. I just had recent knee surgery and did 4 weeks of therapy. Some days we had to work on back since it flared quite often while I was so inactive and they helped me quite a bit. Its a bit long to put in the forum but I would be happy to do that as well if you dont want it emailed. Let me know if you are interested?
Jamie.
PS: You must be going to Disney!!

Thanks guys!
My email is pcbta1@me.com
I have some exercises I do also from physio...but would welcome any other ideas! I've been having prolotherapy which has helped. Also been trying to walk longer hoping to build some stamina for the theme parks. Yikes!!!

Cindy~ I don't know if this will help, but Layla Khashoggi did a series of classes for doing Pilates in a non-studio environment. There was Pilates in Bed, Pilates at Your Desk, and (the one that would probably work for you on a roadtrip) Pilates in The Car. I hope these give you some ideas!

I am oh so curious about the prolotherapy. I considered it for my knee prior to doing another arthroscopy. But there was no one in my town that did those. I would of had to got on a plane.. so its worked for you?

Hey Jamie. i am extremely lucky, as a doctor who does prolo just barely moved an hour away from me right before i wanted to try it! otherwise, i would have had long road trips. don't know if i would have done it. yes, it has helped a LOT. i have taken longer than the average, but my particular injury has gone on for years and years.

My travel tips include bringing a heating pad and ziplock bags (for icing from the ice machine). Do you engage your core when you are not doing pilates? Turn the line standing into an opportunity to do 'secret' pilates. Check for a neutral back, pull in and up with the pelvic floor. Is there a window to check your ribs? Pull them in and down. During the car ride you can tighten your abs, engage your glutes. Hope this helps!