If you live with back pain, then you’ll be all too aware of the pain’s capacity to prevent you from doing the things you love. Some activities are simply not aligned with the reality that people suffering from back pain have to live with.
With that said, while some activities can be seemingly off limits if you have back pain, it’s worth keeping in mind that they usually are possible if you make a few adjustments.
Take hiking, for instance, which many people with back pain understandably avoid. That’s an activity that becomes possible by taking on board the handy tips that we’ve outlined below. In doing so, you’ll open yourself up to all the benefits that hiking in the great outdoors provides, including an elevated mood and a deeper connection to the natural world.
Start Small
We talk about ‘hiking’ as if it’s a single activity, but that’s not really true. There’s a world of difference between a short, low-elevation hike around a lake and a trek up the highest peak in the country. If you’re new to hiking with back pain, then start small. A short route that offers escape points, should things become too intense, will be much better than committing to completing a moderately intense hike that you don’t know your back can handle.
Managing Your Body
You can go a long way towards looking after your back while hiking by remembering one fundamental truth: your back does not want to be hiking. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it, but it does mean that you’ll need to take extra precautions to keep your back happy. Applying CBD topical cream for joint and muscle comfort before and after the hike can keep pain at bay, while it’s always handy to have some ibuprofen in your backpack just in case you experience an issue. After the hike, apply a heat or ice pack (whichever works best for you) to your back. Relaxing in a sauna, steam room, or jacuzzi can also do wonders for helping to relax your back.
Invest in Quality Equipment
The quality of your hiking equipment really can be the difference between completing the hike without discomfort and having to abandon the route halfway through. You don’t need to go overboard with hiking equipment (and believe us, it’s very possible to go overboard). Good-quality essentials will do just fine. In that category, we’d put comfortable, well-fitting hiking boots, adjustable trekking poles, and — most importantly — a comfortable hiking backpack, which will do wonders for your back when out on a hiking trail.
Listen to Your Body
Hiking can be highly rewarding, but it’s not worth putting your back’s health in jeopardy. Listening to your body and — crucially — acting on what it’s telling you is key for hiking safely when you have back pain. Take regular breaks to give your back a rest from carrying a backpack, and don’t be afraid to turn back if your back pain is causing you trouble. The trail will still be there once you’ve let your back recover.
