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Calves are burning, knees hurt and legs feel like Jello.
After a major hike, the body is asking, “why the torture?”
How to deal with post-hiking pain and recovery is something
every hiker faces as they advance to more strenuous levels.
For day-hikers, backpackers and trail runners,
after-care for pain is a very real part of the sport. Injuries
and lactic acid build-up can keep a hiker sidelined for
days and make the simple act of going down stairs excruciating.
Many precautions can be taken to ensure less stress to legs,
knees and feet during a hike, but as every seasoned hiker
knows, it’s not going uphill that’s the problem it’s coming
down!
Hiking down a steep descent places additional
stress on knees and muscles that have not been conditioned
for downhill activity. Joints and tendons become painfully
inflamed. And pushing past ones level of ability and distance,
increases the production of lactic acid, resulting in a
burning feeling in leg muscles. Don't let pain be a discouraging
factor in pursuing higher achievements on the trail. The
sense of loftiness felt when reaching the pinnacle of a
climb is worth conquering post-hiking pain.
Pre-hiking suggestions to minimize
pain:
- Get fitted with sturdy, stable boots or trail running
shoes.
- Buy shoes/boots that are at ½ to 1 full size
larger than your regular shoe size.
- After several hours of hiking, feet will swell and need
room to expand.
- Wear socks made of Coolmax® for moisture control and
to minimize blisters.
- Pre-condition legs weeks before a strenuous hike by doing
short hill hikes and strengthening exercises (squats,
lunges, step-ups and step-downs). You can also increase
your lactic acid threshold and level of fatigue (thereby
lowering the occurrence of sore muscles) by increasing
your activity level and training at 85%-90% of your maximum
heart rate for at least 20 minutes daily.
- Use stretching exercises for problem areas such as hamstring,
IT band, etc. to increase flexibility.
- If needed, wear leg braces to stabilize knees and help
reduce stress. Neoprene braces can be purchased over the
counter at any drug store.
- Stay hydrated and eat carbohydrates and protein during
and after the hike. This can help minimize lactic acid
build-up.
- Use a hiking pole(s) to redistribute weight, help with
balance and reduce stress on the knees.
- Learn the technique of heel-to-toe walking so as to make
full contact with heel to the ground.
- Try to control uphill and downhill progression so as not
to bound, go too fast, or “pound” the trail. Slightly
bend knees when descending. Make a conscious effort to
keep weight centered with the knee tracking directly over
the toe (no twisting in or out). An automatic response
to descending a hill is to lean backwards, rather than
stay centered. This can result in injury, such as IT Band
Friction Syndrome.
Post-hiking
suggestions for dealing with pain:
- Ice
painful or swollen joints and muscles immediately after
a hike. If pain persists, continue at intervals for up to
48 hours. Icing will decrease inflammation, reduce swelling
and numb pain.
- Rest after the hike, but don't become immobile. Walking
or light exercise will keep blood flowing and increase recovery.
- Gentle stretches will help stiff, tight muscles.
- Massage painful muscles with long, smooth movements.
- If needed, use a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID),
such as ibuprofen, to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Some hikers benefit from alternating ice packs and heat
therapy. This should only be done after 48 hours and inflammation
has subsided. Applying heat immediately after a hike will
increase swelling and prolong recovery time.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended
as a substitute for professional medical treatment or consultation.
Always consult with your physician in the event of a serious
injury.
About
The Author
Louise Roach is the editor of on-line health and fitness
newsletter, NewsFlash*SnowPack found at http://home.netcom.com/~newsflash.
She has been instrumental in the development of SnowPack,
a patented cold therapy that exhibits the same qualities
as ice. Her injury prevention and treatment articles have
been published on numerous health and fitness websites.
Louise is also an avid hiker. For more information visit:
http://www.snowpackusa.com
snowpack@ix.netcom.com
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