Why do my legs ache after flying?

There are a few reasons why our bodies might ache after flying. First, we are prone to dehydration when we fly because the air in aeroplanes is very dry. This can cause our muscles and joints to ache. Second, the change in air pressure when we fly can also cause our muscles and joints to ache.



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After your long flight, it's time for a long soak in an Epsom salt bath. Epsom salt bath is great for relaxing tired muscles and reducing soreness after a long flight. All you need to do is dissolve a cup of Epsom salts into the lukewarm water and soak for a minimum of 20 minutes.

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The following are the most common symptoms of DVT that occur in the affected part of the body (usually the leg or arm): Swelling of your leg or arm. Pain or tenderness that you can't explain. Skin that is warm to the touch.

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The most likely culprit is inactivity during a flight. Sitting with your feet on the floor for a long period causes blood to pool in your leg veins. The position of your legs when you are seated also increases pressure in your leg veins.

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Blood clots can sometimes form in your legs during air travel because you are immobile for long periods of time, often sitting in cramped spaces with little leg room. The clinical term for this type of blood clot is deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The longer the flight, the more at risk you are for developing a clot.

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DVT or PE may manifest during or shortly after the flight, but often not for several weeks. Prevention includes choosing aisle seating, maintaining hydration, walking frequently, wearing loose clothing, exercising the lower extremities, using a foot rest, and avoiding alcohol and sleeping pills.

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Symptoms of DVT may be silent or present as a deep pain in one calf or thigh (with swelling). PE may also be silent but symptoms may include sharp chest pain, breathlessness, bloody sputum, and cardiac collapse in some cases. DVT or PE may manifest during or shortly after the flight, but often not for several weeks.

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If you can't move around, elevating your legs after traveling can also help, says Taylor. Use gravity to your advantage and prop your feet up to help your circulation move that blood around.

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People commonly experience musculoskeletal pain with plane travel such as back pain, jaw pain, neck pain, foot and ankle pain. But common doesn't mean it needs to be necessary! In fact the list continues with bloating and jet lag being other common complaints post flight.

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Prevent Blood Clots During Travel
  1. Stand up or walk occasionally. ...
  2. Exercise your calf muscles and stretch your legs while you're sitting. ...
  3. Talk to your doctor about wearing compression stockings or taking medicine before departure if you have additional risk factors for blood clots.


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Why are my legs aching after a flight? Sitting for long periods, cramping your legs, or not moving them all contribute to poor circulation, enabling blood and fluid to accumulate in your legs, causing swollen ankles. The end consequence is, at best, discomfort, oedema, stiffness, and, most likely, varicose veins.

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Blood clots can sometimes form in your legs during air travel because you are immobile for long periods of time, often sitting in cramped spaces with little leg room.

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Remember that anything over 6 hours flying time is considered long haul, but flights of longer than 10 hours are not uncommon either. One important thing to remember is to keep your seat belt fastened at all times in case of unexpected turbulence.

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A flight leg in the air industry is a flight from one airport to another under the same flight number, with the same aircraft, and no stops in between.

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