View Full Version : Massages & Pedicures
Okay, I have had a total of two professional pedicures in my entire life.
As for massage, I am a chiropractor and work my arms and shoulders to fatigue all week, so I usually get a massage every other week, sometimes once a week if I can (it's in my office, so I do not have to actually "pay") to keep the muscles limber and flush the toxins and tightness.
I have seen pix of "trail feet", and heard the stories. I am not scared or opposed to having knarly feet, but I am seriously considering making it a habit when I hit trail towns to find massage and a nail salon. Yes, I know it may end up being a bit pricey, but that is what my discretionary budget is for! Plus, what a nice pick-me-up.
Any thoughts on this from seasoned long distance, section, or thruhikers?
Sue :p
amoebagirl
01-13-2006, 02:22
I'm not a seasoned hiker but I think that's a great idea. Since we'll be traveling through small towns, I assume massages and pedicures wouldn't cost too much. The challenge would be in finding such establishments.
I for one am going to get a full pedicure before my hike. It'll make me feel better to have nicely primped feet underneath those manly hiking shoes.
I am just the opposite... I am a regular participant of pedicures, but not the massages...
Because the pedi's slough off the tough skin of the heel and ball of the foot, I recently quick having them done in anticipation of my thru in '07. I want to toughen up the soles of my feet.
I immediately noticed the difference! At first the soles (this is gross) got all scaley and flakey, now they are finally developing a thicker pad...
I also walk around the yard, drive and sidewalk barefoot as weather permits to help the process along.
I am not sure that getting a pedi along the trail would be productive? It would bare new, tender skin, and then you'd be walking on it... I know I would be experiencing very sore, if not blistered feet.
Just my thinking, hope it helps!
nyushka42
01-20-2006, 10:55
Geohabit, I agree with you. I'm starting my section hike early May, and have stopped all pedicures to get a nice callous going. Its working pretty well. Also walking barefoot as much as possible (though not very possible right now, its a little to cold out).
As for massage, I'm a massage therapist, so drsukie, if we meet up on the trail, I could give you a hookup. :-D
Geohabit, I agree with you. I'm starting my section hike early May, and have stopped all pedicures to get a nice callous going. Its working pretty well. Also walking barefoot as much as possible (though not very possible right now, its a little to cold out).
As for massage, I'm a massage therapist, so drsukie, if we meet up on the trail, I could give you a hookup. :-D
I have callouses to beat the band - I am thinking just to get the nasty nails and toes trimmed and "fixed up" -- I've seen oo many nasty-looking feet from long hikes! But, I know I want to have tough feet.
Galpal - you want to trade? I am a chiropractor....we WILL hook up! :clap Sue
apple pie
01-20-2006, 18:21
Massages in trailtowns are heaven! I can highly recommend the one in Andover. The lady came and picked me up from the hostel I stayed at and didn't even charge for gas. And the massage was really good (and painful). For some inexplicable reason she didn't want to massage my feet however.... I think she was afraid the flakyness on my heels was fungus (okay, they looked extremely nasty, I even managed to gross out my fellow hikers). She hinted at using Purell on my feet. I'm blaming the sandals!!!
Just a word of caution -- I'd be hesitant to get a pedicure done by someone random. A friend of mine went to a no-name nail salon once and ended up on crutches as a result of some infection she got there. I even went to a national chain salon once (but didn't know the pedicurist) and she was so bad she cut into my toes when trying to clip my nails. That made for a few painful days as they healed. Of course, there are plenty of good pedicurists in random backwater places, and maybe y'all know how to pick'em better than me. But I'd be scared of getting my hike cut short needlessly. Maybe it might be a better idea to bounce some pedicure tools up the trail and do it yourself -- you don't get the nice foot massage, but I imagine in some places you could find a bucket to soak your feet in, and then scrubbing callouses off your feet and cleaning under your nails (if you've got the tools) isn't hard.
geckobunny
01-20-2006, 18:53
I've done a good bit of AT hiking and my feet didn't look too bad at any point. I don't regularly get pedicures or anything like that, so I wouldn't know the difference. But my feet held up and looked pretty good most of the time. The only issue I had would be an occasional ingrown toenail, which I'm sure a pedicure or just regular foot maintenance could prevent. In '04 someone stopped in at the hostel in Pearisburg and offered to massage my feet. Apparently he was a massage therapist. (He had the table, lights, music, etc.) And he lived close to the hostel. I got my feet done for free. It felt nice, but my feet were still sore. They did get better on their own though. :)
bluebird
01-21-2006, 21:31
I through hiked the AT in 2001...
I'm was and am used to getting pedis and reflexology at least one a month...
While hiking I took care of my feet each night... clean them with antibacterial wipes, keep the toenails clipped, keep an eye out for blisters and massage them.
I carried a small swiss army knife that had mini scissors to trim the nails and cut off any healed blister skin. Every night was the ritual... tent up, boots and hiking clothes off, clean up with wipes, clean the feet, (in the summer I'd put foot powder on before my night socks), 'jammies' on, flip flops on and then out of the tent for dinner and to hang the pack. When it was time to crash for the night I went back in the tent, massaged the feet and went to sleep. In the morning put on tape where I tended to get hot spots, socks and boots. My ankles and feet were usually stiff so I'd rub them a fit before the boots went on.
I saw some pretty nasty feet along the way. There were some incredibly smelly feet too. Its common sense, keep the feet clean and take care of yourself.
PinkLemonade7503
01-23-2006, 02:52
My little sister is a professional dancer, and with all of the bein' on her toes she has had some real ingrown toenail problems. Her specialist told us to always file your toenails in a straight line, which may seem obvious but wasn't to us. We always did or had them done sorta arched. With all the swelling and weight on your feet, not to mention them moving around in your shoes that's like the worst thing you can do. When I had some foot achin' after my first major hike he checked it out and said I had been unconsciously cramping up my foot b/c my toenails were too long and rubbing my shoes.
As for the calous end of things... I think that's prolly smart. I used to have much tougher feet but live on the beach now and almost always wear shoes b/c I got tired of all of the sand in the house.
I think having a massage on the hike would be awesome. My husband will give em to me if I remind him what it costs for someone else to do it. He even bought a book and has gotten pretty good. I suppose I should start returning the favor.
nerdishgrrl
01-23-2006, 06:46
I haven't done a lot of hiking, but from experience with running, when you go in for a pedicure, they soak your feet and rub away all the rough, hard spots. Of course, this does make your feet look good, but next time you go out for a run, all those spots that used to be hard calluses will probably turn into blisters. I feel like you would just ruin a pedicure as soon as you got it, and be in a lot of blistery pain, too. To me, it just dosen't seem worth it.
Massages, however, seem like a good idea. I've never gotten one professionally, but I love a good backrub from my boyfriend!
........ .I have seen pix of "trail feet", and heard the stories. I am not scared or opposed to having knarly feet, but I am seriously considering making it a habit when I hit trail towns to find massage...........
Any thoughts on this from seasoned long distance, section, or thruhikers?
Sue :p
Yo drsukie:
I'm a SECTION-HIKER (52-year-old w/ "NARLEY FEET") &, in the past several months, have developed FEET problems...i've seen several DOCTORS & lastly consulted a FOOT REFLEXOLOGIST...my feet are improving after getting the toxins broken up & expelled out...i will continue to get a minimum of 1 visit per month as my feet improve.
i think its a GREAT idea to get a complete MASSAGE in each trail town.
GOOD LUCK w/ yer hike!:D
Hammock Hanger
01-23-2006, 09:52
Massages in trailtowns are heaven! I can highly recommend the one in Andover. The lady came and picked me up from the hostel I stayed at and didn't even charge for gas. And the massage was really good (and painful). For some inexplicable reason she didn't want to massage my feet however.... I think she was afraid the flakyness on my heels was fungus (okay, they looked extremely nasty, I even managed to gross out my fellow hikers). She hinted at using Purell on my feet. I'm blaming the sandals!!!
I also had the massage in Andover, complete with hot rocks. She did a light job on my feet but not what I would hav liked. Don't think feet were here thing. I also preplanned before my hike a "ME" day in Hot Springs. Soak in the hot ub and then a long massage. The guy there spent extra time on my feet and I was in heaven. -- Getting the toenails trimmed and pained is cool, but do not get the callouses shaved. Enjoy your hikes.
Hey APPLE PIE!
good to see youre back from your WORLD WIDE TOUR!:D
Although my wife and I never got a massage during our thru-hike, we did meet some who did. They said the massage was the next best thing to heaven.
Pedicures, on the other hand, were a different story. We didn't meet anyone that paid for that service. Perhaps they charge Thru-hikers on per toe basis since they get so knarly...might get a little pricey!
Yo drsukie:
I'm a SECTION-HIKER (52-year-old w/ "NARLEY FEET") &, in the past several months, have developed FEET problems...i've seen several DOCTORS & lastly consulted a FOOT REFLEXOLOGIST...my feet are improving after getting the toxins broken up & expelled out...i will continue to get a minimum of 1 visit per month as my feet improve.
i think its a GREAT idea to get a complete MASSAGE in each trail town.
GOOD LUCK w/ yer hike!:D
Good Idea J-bird -- reflexology! Don't have any idea why I didn't think of it -- I teach at a massage school (just the sciences, folks, alas...).
So that may be the ticket: 1) reflexology session, 2) massage, 3) glass(es) of wine afterwards! Hah! :jump Sue
See y'a out there!
It's a great idea if you can afford it. I only had one along the AT. Hot Springs, NC was too great of an opportunity for me to pass up, so after a few hours of ultimate frisbee with a bunch of fellow hikers, I headed over to the Hot Springs for a soak and massage. That totally rejuvenated me! I was ready to hit the trail like it was my first day out there. I do remember that many of the towns along the AT had Massage Therapist signs scattered about them, so it is very possible for you to do this. Have fun.