TELL YOUR ACHES AND PAINS TO TAKE A HIKE!
What are some of the most common hiking injuries? Even for the most experiencedhiker,painand injurycanstilloccur.Someofthemostcommon hiking injuries include: Twisted ankle. This is perhaps the most common injury that hikers experience. Hiking terrain is uneven and can sometimes contain hidden obstacles or slippery surfaces. We’ve all seen it before: you’re on the trail, taking in the scenery, when suddenly… you slip on an unsteady rock. This can leave someone hindered for the rest of the trail, not to mention how it will pose an unfortunate and possibly painful recovery period ahead. Twisted ankles can be avoided by wearing appropriate hiking boots with ankle protection, as well as carrying a hiking stick or some other form of stabilizing equipment with you along the trail. If you do twist your ankle, makesure tofollow theR.I.C.Emethodafterwards–rest, ice,compression, andelevation. Ifpainpersists,makesureyoucontactaphysiotherapistas soon as possible to relieve pain and prevent further damage. Muscle cramping. Muscle cramps can be limiting and even debilitating during a hike. Nothing can leave a hiker feeling more defeated quite like feeling a leg cramp with every step they take up the mountain. Cramping is often caused by dehydration, and can be avoided by keeping a water bottle with you during the hike and making sure you drink a large amount (if not all) of it throughout your journey. However, cramping can also be
caused by tight muscles that are not used to the physical activity you are putting them through,especially fornewhikers.Stretchingbeforeyouhike, specifically in your ankles, calves, and thighs, can help avoid any pesky cramps that may leave you hindered. Scrapesandabrasions. Manyhikingtrailscontainthornybushes,branches, or twigs that you may have to maneuver through. Some are so subtle that you may not even notice it right away, but they can scrape up your arms and legsprettybadly ifyouarenotcareful.Wearing longpantsandsleeves can make a huge difference in protecting your body against scrapes and abrasions, but they may not always provide full coverage or complete protection. If you do find yourself sustaining a cut while you’re on the trail, make sure to apply an antibiotic lotion and band-aid to the affected area assoonasyougethome,afterwashing it thoroughly.Keepaneyeon it for a few days, and if it doesn’t seem to get any better, contact your primary physician as soon as possible to make sure it is not infected. Contact Core Solutions Physiotherapy & Wellness for relief! While preventative measures greatly decrease your risk of feeling pain or sustaining an injury, sometimes accidents happen and you may still end up with some discomfort. If you find yourself feeling persistent pain after your hike, contact Core Solutions Physiotherapy & Wellness to find some relief. We’ll help you get back on the trail in no time!
SCHOMBERG LOCATION 50 Dr. Kay Drive, Unit A8 Schomberg, ON L0G 1T0
CALEDON EAST LOCATION 15955 Airport Road, Suite 101 Caledon, ON L7C 1H9
P: (905) 939-9041 F: (905) 939-9638
P: (905) 584-6747 F: (905) 584-6787 www.coresolutionsphysiotherapy.com
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