2025 is the year to thrive and what better way than to enjoy our great outdoors with our four-pawed friends!
January is Walk Your Dog Month, and while we know that all our Lymington Chiropractic Clinic community dog owners are already committed to daily dog walks, we think it’s the perfect time to celebrate! Let’s take a moment to appreciate our stunning New Forest and surrounding coastal region, as well as the incredible support our canine companions provide for our physical and emotional wellbeing.
Walking is an excellent exercise and is often recommended by fitness gurus as a starting point to more challenging routines. Have you seen athlete Sally Gunnell’s posts on Facebook recently, particularly aimed at women at a certain stage of life? Well, one of her key recommendations for becoming fitter, stronger and staying mobile is to increase your daily steps by 1000 – 2000 steps. With your canine motivator and our help and advice that should be a breeze. And the great thing is all will benefit – not just women of that age and stage – take the kids, or grandkids, along and you a have a wonderful day out and a healthy family.
Rain or shine, it’s always dog walking time!
Winter weather can make dog walking a challenge. Torrential downpours, muddy terrain, frozen ground, and icy patches are all part of the season’s mix. At Lymington Chiropractic Clinic, your safety and wellbeing are always top priorities. After all, if you don’t take care of yourself, how can you care for your furry friend?
Let’s talk about one often-overlooked aspect of winter walking: your footwear. Many dog walkers instinctively reach for their wellies, but have you considered the strain they might put on your body?
Welly Wisdom from Massage Therapist Hannah
Massage therapist Hannah, who is currently on maternity leave, has often treated patients with “welly boot injuries” and shares these tips:
- Choose well-fitting, lightweight wellies: Heavy, clunky boots can strain your feet, legs, and hips, leading to overworked and painful areas.
- Be careful when removing wellies: Avoid using one foot to slide the other boot off. Instead, sit down and use your hands or a boot jack. When using a boot jack, keep your other foot squarely on it and hold onto something stable for support.
Expert Advice from Podiatrist Paul
Winter walking can be tough on your feet. Our Podiatrist Paul emphasises the importance of choosing the right footwear:
- Opt for walking shoes or boots: The varied terrain of the New Forest—from muddy tracks to icy paths and stony coastlines—requires footwear that provides ankle support, grip, and stability. Ensure they’re waterproof and breathable.
- Maintain your footwear: After a walk, brush off dirt and let your boots dry naturally. For wet boots, stuff them with newspaper to retain their shape. Regularly clean them with appropriate products and reapply water-proofer as needed. Check the soles for wear and tear; if they’re worn, it’s time for a replacement.
- Choose the right socks: Wool or silk socks are ideal for winter as they wick moisture away from your skin. Ensure they fit snugly to prevent blisters. Consider double-thickness or dual-layer socks for added comfort and protection.
For more tips, read Paul’s blog post: A Podiatrist’s Guide to Winter Walking in Town and Country. He also has great advice on chilblains in his blog post: What are chilblains and how do you treat them?
Explore the local area and Isle of Wight with Your Dog
Spoiled for choice as we are here in the New Forest it’s strange that many of us stick to the same tried and tested routes. Dog psychologists will tell you that your pooch will be very happy with this as they like visiting the same places – and picking up their pee-mail. But we think it’s good for humans and canines to shake things up a bit.
With that in mind we recommend you check out Visit Milford on Sea and Visit The New Forest for some dog walk inspiration. Whether you’re new to the area or from one of the oldest forest families we’re sure you’ll find the perfect place or a reminder of somewhere you haven’t been in a while.
For those new to the area, you can catch the ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth to visit the Isle of Wight, or for a more local touch, take the Keyhaven ferry to Hurst Castle (weekends only during the winter). As most of us know, Hurst Point is the closest point on the mainland to the Isle of Wight. Just a short ferry ride from Keyhaven or a bracing walk along the shingle bank and you can wave to friends on the Island. This makes an ideal day trip for adventurous dog walkers.
The Isle of Wight boasts some fantastic dog-friendly walking routes. From coastal paths with breathtaking views to woodland trails that offer shelter on rainy days, there’s something for everyone. For more ideas, check out Isle of Wight Dog Walks. Highlights include the Tennyson Trail, Bembridge Windmill, and the Needles Headland—all perfect for exploring with your furry companion. We’d love to know if you have tried any of these routes and which are your favourites.
Stay Safe and Supported
Even with the best preparation, niggles, strains, and the occasional slip or falls can happen. If they do, we’re here to help. Our chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, and podiatry treatments can get you back on your feet in no time. It’s not just our pooches who need pampering post-winter-walk!
Book an appointment online, pop in to see us, or give us a call.
And one last thing: watch out for those wellies!
All pictures taken by receptionist Sally on her dog walks.