Travel in Comfort - Travel tips and accessories for your security, health and comfort
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Travel in Comfort - Travel tips and accessories for your security, health and comfort |
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This report was recently published on New Zealand's Xtra MSN website May 2002 Healthy Circulation Story New Zealand is well known for many things and among them is our fondness for innovation and travel. So it’s not surprising that a clever idea developed in New Zealand is related to long haul flights. Ted Flack is a British technical engineer who settled in the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand in 1971. On his frequent trips back home with his wife the alarming swelling of her ankles set him to thinking. He came up with a wooden prototype of a little rocking stool that she could use to exercise her legs while on the plane. From this first prototype in 1973 his invention went the way of all good ideas: it was taken up, trialed, improved, branded and marketed. The name Flik Flak nicely related to its inventor’s name. One key improvement was to make it lightweight and able to fold so that it was convenient. The final design took up as much space and weighed less than the average novel you might take aboard a plane in your cabin bag. By manufacturing it in durable ABS plastic it had no metal components that would trigger the metal detector at the airport. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) hit the news in recent years and stimulated debate about whether the problem was related to the cramped conditions in planes or simply the fact that passengers stay still for too long. Also known as Traveller’s Syndrome it’s an abnormal process of clotting in the deep veins of the body, most commonly the pelvis and legs. The symptoms can vary but most often there is an uncomfortable ache and swelling. A pulmonary embolism occurs when a piece of the clot breaks off and travels through the circulatory system to the lungs, a reaction which is sometimes fatal. Traveller’s Syndrome is a serious condition and difficult to diagnose by external examination. It can be caused by inactivity which means blood flow in the deep veins of the lower legs slows down. Cramped seating that compresses the thighs can cause this slowing which is why it’s also been described as “economy class syndrome”. Contributing as well are dehydration due to excess alcohol and the low cabin relative humidity. Avoiding sedatives, limiting alcohol and drinking plenty of water are relatively easy measures to take but exercising on a long flight is more difficult to achieve. Walking up and down in the cabin can be supplemented by using a Flik Flak. The rocking motion of the feet back and forth on the Flik Flak activates the calf muscles and blood is pumped through the circulatory system relieving the pressure of the seat against the back of the thighs. “I recently used one when I flew from Auckland to Manchester,” says a Flik Flak fan from Opotiki, “and I found the bugbear of swollen legs and ankles almost non-existent. I was most impressed as a previous trip resulted in swollen and painful legs. Needless to say, my little board came into full use on the return flight and I think the glances sent my way were just a bit envious as I was obviously enjoying the foot exercise without having to walk up and down so much.” People who spend long hours in sedentary activities find this device equally useful, from watching movies at the cinema, where a chance to stretch the legs at half time is usually not available any more, to sitting at a desk. Anyone, in fact, who has circulatory problems. FACT BOX Flik Flak: · weighs 300g · measures 230 x 230mm · is made in New Zealand · is easy to use · costs $25.95 ... as published on New Zealand's Xtra MSN website June 2002
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