If this is your first time reading my Travel Tech Thursday Tip. I want to welcome you to this post every Thursday on Travel Technology tips. I travel over 100,000 miles a year and along the way I have discovered some really useful tech tips that I believe can help your travel experience. Today’s travel tech tip is: The Rolled Towel.
Have you ever heard of Taco Neck Syndrome or TNS? The Urban Dictionary defines Taco Neck Syndrome(TNS):
“A permanent crook in the neck (usually tending to stick at a 45 degree angle to the left or right) due to the over-eating abuse of hard-shell tacos. The unnatural exertions placed on the neck due to the “crunchy taco-eating bend” develop into Taco Neck Syndrome. Reports have shown that cases of taco neck syndrome have been developing more and more frequently with Taco Bell’s new crunch wrap supreme, as well.”
Although, a fictitious ailment, I believe at one time or another all of us have suffered a neck ache or TNS. These are really painful and annoying. I believe that travelers are susceptible to this because of all the different elements that can contribute to our neck ache. We usually blame the “unknown pillow” at a hotel as the culprit for our neck pain. I believe the true culprit is that you have travailed in the war zone called the airport and then boarded a plane to sit for hours in an awkward position. Furthermore, you are tense because the next day you have to do a presentation at 9:00 AM, or as in my case, speak in front of an audience. You get into bed and toss and turn and wrestle with the “unknown pillow” and the result is you wake up with a neck ache.
To avoid this, I use a simple low-tech item available in all hotel rooms: the medium towel. I first close hotel drapes by using my potato chip clips on the drapes. I drink lots of water to rehydrate from the dry air in the airplane, and take a hot shower. 
Then I roll up a medium size towel and place it underneath my neck so that my shoulders are touching on the bed. This stretches and realigns your neck and when you fall asleep it will make sure that the tension does not make your neck stiff. Wake up in the morning and you should be TNS free.
What do you do to relive neck aches or TNS when traveling? Would love to hear your tips.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m going to try this tonight! If it doesn’t work, I’m sending you the Chiropractor bill…
Jonathan,
Since I did not hear back I guess it worked. Just in case I collected all the Bible bucks I had hoping your chiropractor took them as a form of payment.
Good article! I travel with my Bucky pillow and the stress on my neck and shoulders is less.
Halle,
I like the bucky pillows but they are too big for me to carry with me. What ends up happening is that I lose them. Thanks for stopping by.