Flying and Playing: How Air Travel Can Disrupt a Musician’s Body
Dr. Lou Jacobs, Chiropractor – Portland, Maine
Whether you are flying to a festival, audition, tour, or vacation, the physical toll of air travel can quietly threaten your performance. Sitting for hours in cramped seats, carrying heavy gear through terminals, and adjusting to pressure changes – all of it can irritate joints, muscles, and nerves critical for playing.
For musicians, these travel stressors often compound the very issues you battle in practice: shoulder tension, wrist fatigue, neck strain, low backs strain and reduced circulation. This post will help you connect those dots and travel in ways that keep your body performance-ready when you land.
1. The Airplane Seat Problem
The Risk
Airline seats are notoriously unsupportive. Long hours of sitting with your spine flexed forward, knees jammed, and neck tilted toward a screen compresses your lower back and tightens your hip flexors. This posture mimics bad playing form – but for hours without movement.
Musicians are especially vulnerable because spinal and shoulder alignment directly affect fine motor control, breath capacity, and hand coordination.
Safer Technique
* Sit with your hips all the way back in the seat and use a small pillow or rolled sweater behind your lower back for support.
* Keep both feet flat on the floor instead of tucking one under.
* Stand or walk for 2-3 minutes every hour. Even pacing the aisle helps.
* While seated, perform gentle ankle circles and calf raises to promote circulation.
2. Carrying and Lifting Instruments
The Risk
Hauling your instrument through airports adds another layer of strain. Guitars, saxophones, and even violin cases carried on one shoulder can irritate the trapezius and rotator cuff muscles, while dragging rolling luggage twists the spine. These repeated asymmetrical movements can feed into neck stiffness, shoulder impingement, and lower back pain – all of which can affect tone, reach, and fluidity on your instrument.
Safer Technique
* Alternate shoulders or hands when carrying gear or bags.
* Use luggage with four wheels so you can push rather than pull.
* When lifting overhead (into bins), engage your legs and core instead of reaching from your back or shoulder.
* Avoid cradling your instrument strap over one shoulder for long periods – switch sides when possible.
3. The Dehydration and Pressure Shift Effect
The Risk
Cabin air is extremely dry, which accelerates dehydration and joint stiffness. Add cabin pressure changes, and the result is swollen hands, feet, and sinuses – all bad news for musicians who rely on precision, grip, and breath control.
For wind and brass players, cabin pressure can alter sinus equilibrium and Eustachian tube function, leading to ear pressure or dull resonance in the head. For string and percussion players, dehydration stiffens connective tissues and muscles, increasing the risk of strains when you resume playing.
Safer Technique
* Drink water before and during the flight (avoid excess caffeine and alcohol).
* Use nasal saline spray before and after the flight if you’re prone to sinus pressure.
* Wear light compression socks to improve leg circulation.
* After landing, walk briskly or stretch to restore blood flow and joint mobility.
Call Dr. Lou at (207) SPINAL -1
4. The Neck, Shoulder, and Headphone Trap
The Risk
Most passengers angle their heads down toward a screen or phone for hours. This “text neck” posture overstretches the cervical spine and locks tension into the upper traps – the same area many musicians already overload while playing.
Add heavier over-ear headphones or earbuds that tug slightly on the jaw and neck, and you can set off headaches, jaw tension, and upper back stiffness that show up in your next rehearsal.
Safer Technique
* Keep screens at eye level by holding your device slightly higher or resting it on a tray table.
* Perform gentle neck retractions (chin tucks) every 20 minutes to counteract forward head posture.
* Use lightweight headphones and limit volume to prevent both strain and hearing fatigue.
* Stretch your shoulders backward by clasping your hands behind your back during short breaks.
5. Sleep and Recovery While Traveling
The Risk
Sleeping in awkward positions on planes – head tilted, neck unsupported, arms crammed – creates lingering muscle tension that can interfere with coordination. Waking up with a “crooked” neck can alter proprioception, the sense of body position critical for timing and precision in playing.
Safer Technique
* Use a supportive neck pillow that holds your head in neutral rather than tilted.
* Keep your lower back supported and knees slightly bent.
* If possible, recline slightly to reduce spinal load.
* Once you land, stretch gently before picking up your instrument or luggage.
6. Preflight Preparation for Musicians
Before You Fly
* Warm up your body like you would before playing. A few minutes of shoulder rolls, spinal twists, and wrist stretches go a long way.
* Pack light and balanced. Distribute instrument weight evenly and keep essentials easy to access.
* Plan posture breaks. Choose an aisle seat if possible to stand easily.
* Hydrate early. Start drinking water before boarding to prevent early dehydration.
7. How Flight Stress Compounds Playing Problems
Travel Stressor Physical Effect Impact on Playing
Long sitting Tight hips, weak core Reduced posture and stamina
Carrying gear Shoulder strain Uneven playing mechanics
Cabin dehydration Muscle stiffness Slower finger dexterity
Neck flexion Cervical compression Hand numbness, headaches
Poor sleep posture Nerve irritation Reduced accuracy and control
8. Chiropractic and Acupuncture Support
In my Portland office, I see many traveling musicians whose first issue after a tour isn’t performance fatigue – it’s travel fatigue. Chiropractic care helps restore joint motion, strength, reflexes and nerve flow after long flights, while acupuncture and chiropractic adjustments reduce inflammation, mental stress and supports recovery from muscle stiffness and dehydration.
A short post-flight checkup or tune-up can prevent weeks of discomfort and should also keep your body balanced for your next performance.
Land Ready to Play
Flying may feel routine, but for you and other musicians, it’s a full-body stress test. Hours of sitting, lifting, and tension can erode your precision and comfort before you even step on stage.
Think of your travel routine as part of your warm-up. Move often, hydrate, and protect your posture the same way you protect your instrument. Arrive tuned, not tired—your audience will hear the difference.
Dr. Lou Jacobs, Chiropractor and acupuncturist in Portland, Maine, has been working with and specializing in the health and performance of musicians of all types, for over 23 years. His work has been highlighted in Guitar Player Magazine, and his client list is extensive, having worked with some of the best horn players in the world today. Dr. Lou is always accepting new patients and offers tele-consulting for musicians outside of Southern Maine. Dr. Lou also works with families and is board certified in chiropractic care for children and pregnant moms. Dr. Lou may be reached by calling (207) 774-6251 or by messaging his office manager, Sandra Escobar, at Sandra@DrLouJacobs.com.