There’s nothing quite like hitting the trails for a good hike. Whether you’re exploring local paths or tackling more challenging terrain, hiking is one of the best ways to stay active and enjoy the outdoors. But let’s be honest—it can also leave you feeling pretty beat up if your body isn’t fully equipped for the challenge.
Why Hiking is Tougher Than You Think
Hiking might look like “just walking,” but your body knows better. You’re dealing with:
- Uneven surfaces that challenge your balance
- Uphill climbs that can overwork muscles
- Downhill descents that pound your knees and ankles
- A backpack that changes how you carry yourself
- Repetitive motion for hours at a time
No wonder so many hikers end up with sore backs, tight hips, or cranky knees after a long day on the trails.
At Alexander Chiropractic and Wellness in Brentwood, Dr. Adler and our expert team are passionate about helping you stay strong, balanced, and pain-free—so you can spend more time on the trails and less time recovering from injury.
Common Issues We See in Hikers
At Alexander Chiropractic and Wellness, we treat a lot of outdoor enthusiasts, and hiking-related problems are pretty common:
- Lower back pain: Often from leaning forward with a pack or compensating for tight hips
- Hip tightness: Caused by uphill climbing which can lock up your hip flexors
- Knee problems: Created after long downhill sections
- Ankle instability: Uneven terrain can leave your ankles feeling wobbly
- Neck and shoulder tension: Due to carrying a pack or looking down at the trail
How Chiropractic Care Helps Hikers
The good news? Most hiking-related aches and pains respond really well to chiropractic care. When your spine and joints are moving properly, your body can handle the demands of hiking much better. You’ll notice better balance that helps you navigate tricky terrain more confidently, improved endurance because your body isn’t fighting itself, faster recovery so you bounce back quicker after challenging hikes, and better injury prevention by addressing small problems before they become big ones.
More Than Just Adjustments
Our approach to helping hikers goes beyond spinal adjustments. We use soft tissue therapy to keep tight muscles from pulling you out of alignment, strengthening exercises for the muscles that support you on uneven terrain, balance training to help you feel more confident on challenging trails, and recovery techniques to help you bounce back faster.
Pre-Hike and Post-Hike Tips
Before you hit the trails, take time to warm up with some gentle stretching, make sure your pack fits properly, and start with easier trails if you’re just getting into hiking. After your hike, stretch those hip flexors and calves, use ice if anything feels inflamed, and don’t ignore persistent aches—address them early before they become a bigger issue.
Ready to Hike Stronger?
Whether you’re planning weekend adventures or preparing for a big hiking trip, we’re here to help keep your body trail-ready. Because the best hike is one where you feel great the whole time—including the day after too.