When To Use Two Canes
Doctors often recommend two canes to persons who have experienced problems with balance and or dizziness. Many elderly people have developed weakness in their legs. Using canes help take some of the load off while improving mobility.
Walking with two canes helps you keep your back straight, improving your posture and balance. By standing up straighter, your center of balance will be better, making your complaints about dizziness a thing of the past. Walking with two canes offers support on each side of your body, resulting in relief from pain in your knees and back.
Here is a guide to help you get started using two canes until your experience with them is a familiar and comfortable process.
A Note On Doctors Orders: If Your Doctor Occupational Or Physical Therapist Has Recommended That You Use A Cane You Can Be Sure That He/she Has Very Important Reasons For Making That Recommendation
Even so, people often want to postpone or avoid using a cane thinking they can make do without one. But, when you consider the many benefits of using a cane, it is clear that using one is the smartest and healthiest choice both short, and long term.
If you are trying to determine if you need a cane, ask yourself the following questions:
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you could benefit greatly from using a cane on a temporary, or even a regular basis.
Here are just a few ways using a cane will help you:
The History Of Walking Poles
Nordic walking is fitness walking with specially designed poles. For decades hikers and backpackers used their one-piece ski poles long before trekking and Nordic walking poles came onto the scene.
Ski racers deprived of snow have always used one-piece ski poles for ski walking and hill bounding. The first poles specially designed and marketed to fitness walkers were produced by Exerstrider of the USA in 1988.
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Use The Correct Posture When Walking With A Cane
One of the most important aspects of using a walking cane is to use the correct posture. As much as possible, attempt to keep your back straight when walking with a cane. Do not stretch your cane farther than your leg will naturally go. As you walk with your cane, make sure your cane and your opposite foot hit the ground at the same time. Then, move your healthy leg without hunching forward.
Learning to walk with healthy posture will take some time. However, taking the time to work on walking with your cane while using the correct posture will help you avoid back and neck injuries down the road. Hunching your neck and back over your cane can cause serious soft-tissue damage and pain.
Does A Cane Help With Knee Pain
Cane use is very helpful for people with a variety of knee issues but especially for seniors who suffer from knee osteoarthritis. Clinical research has proven that walking canes directly contribute to reduced pain and increased function in the knee among virtually all knee osteoarthritis patients- it can even slow the progression of the disease.
The reason that cane use is so effective for treating knee pain is that it solves two of the leading causes of knee pain at once. The first is the most obvious: canes take the load off of your knee. This prevents swelling and pain from getting out of hand while walking.
Canes also promote a healthier gait issues with proper walking mechanics are a major contributor to knee pain. If you suffer from chronic knee pain, unexplained by injury or lack of cartilage, you may need to correct your walking form. Using a cane either temporarily or permanently is a great way for seniors to make sure they are walking properly and healthily.
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Which Cane Or Walker Should I Choose
If you feel you need a cane or walker, talk to your healthcare provider to make sure you get the device that is best for you. When deciding between a cane or walker, discuss the following points with your healthcare provider:
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Where Can I Fill A Prescription For A Cane
You can get a cane by prescription at a durable medical equipment or medical supply store. Insurance often limits coverage amounts, so you may only be able to get a basic, single-tip cane. This is particularly true of Medicare which has an established fee schedule that restricts you to the most basic of canes.
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Dmi Adjustable Designer Cane With Offset Handle Comfort Strap And Grip
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If you must use a cane, make it look great. DMI Designer cane is stylish, pretty, and fashionably made from anodized aluminium, making it robust enough to support about 250 pounds yet portable and lightweight.
The cane features a padded foam grip offset handle that would feel super comfortable in your hands. The strap is also convenient for extra security as its easy to wrap around the wrist or hang.
Just as the name suggests, the cane is adjustable for a customizable height about 30 to 39 inches. The tips are made of a slip-resistant rubber that contains latex giving you excellent traction on different terrains and a firmer grip.
How To Properly Hold And Use A Cane
Something that is very important to keep in mind is to use proper walking form when you walk with a cane. The point of a cane is to make proper and healthy walking techniques possible- make sure that you are doing that! Correcting your gait is the best way to get rid of pain and keep it at bay in the long term.
This YouTube video from respected and entertaining physical therapists Bob and Brad will show you the correct way to walk:
In that video, you’ll learn the technique and walking posture that will let you walk in the way your body needs to. Youd be surprised how many chronic aches and pains come from slight problems with your gait. Over time, those slight problems turn into bigger ones, eventually developing into full-blown limping. The negative effects of poor gait are impossible to overstate: walking with incorrect form is very bad for your health!
When you use a cane to help you walk, you want to work hard to make your walking healthy. Of course, people with more serious joint and bone issues may have no choice but to limp- if that describes you, just use the cane to the best of your ability. If you should be able to walk normally, though, the healthiest thing you can do is to make sure your cane helps you accomplish that.
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Does Walking With A Cane Help Hip Pain
Yes! Particularly in the context of hip surgery and replacement, using a cane is very much encouraged to help reduce hip pain.
In one study, the use of a cane was found to contribute to reduced pressure on the replaced hip, helping aid the recovery process. If youve had a recent fall/surgery that affected your hip, or had an entire hip replacement, grabbing a high-quality, well-fitting cane is a must.
Canes considerably reduce the load that your hips are required to carry. This makes walking less demanding on the hips and results in less pain. If your hips are sore and stiff after walking, using a cane can keep them feeling good all day long.
Visit A Running/orthotic Shoe Store
Not everyone has health insurance that makes a visit to a physical therapist possible. The average cost of a single session of physical therapy, paid out of pocket, is $75-$150 for many seniors, that might not be an option.
If you dont have health insurance thatll cover a visit to a professional, the next best thing you can do is visit a running or orthotic shoe store. At these stores, staff are usually trained to evaluate the gait of a customer so that they can recommend a shoe that will promote healthy walking. While they wont have the expertise that a physical therapist would, they can still help you get an objective and helpful opinion on your walking gait.
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To Go Up Or Down A Curb Using A Cane
Try this first with another person nearby to steady you if needed.
Tip Sheet: Choosing The Right Cane Or Walker
Canes and walkers help people with pain, weakness, and balance problems walk more safely and comfortably. They also may help some people avoid falls. There are many different types of canes, walkers, and other assistive devices available, so its very important to
- work with a healthcare provider to choose the correct type of walking aid for you,
- have the cane or walker sized so it fits you correctly, and
- get help learning how to use it the right way
In most cases, canes and walkers are reimbursable through Medicare and other insurers.
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Will A Cane Or Walker Help With Back Pain
Modern medicine has many treatment options for back pain, but for some people an ancient, low-tech option is the answeror at least part of the answer.
People have been using canes and walkers to get around for ages, and for good reason. A cane or walker can help you stay active without putting too much weight or pressure on your back.
Staying mobile is important when you have back pain. It not only helps you do what you want to do, it helps you avoid stiffness and keep muscles and bones strong. Staying active helps improve both physical and mental health.
You should work with your health-care team to choose the right device for you, but here are some general tips to keep in mind.
A cane is good if the pain is primarily on one side, although you can use a cane in each hand if youd like.
A walker may be a good choice for someone with pain on both sides of their body and who needs a device to support more of their weight. Walkers can usually support up to 50 percent of your body weight, compared with 25 percent for a cane.
One drawback to walkers is that they cant be used on stairs.
Types of canes
You can find a variety of cane types from ones with a standard T-shaped handle to multi-legged canes that provide maximum stability.
You can often find canes in a variety of colors and patterns too, if youre interested in making a fashion statement.
Types of walkers
You can even find wheeled walkers with seats that let you go for a walk, then rest as you need to.
You Find Yourself Feeling Uneasy At Staircases And Uneven Ground
Have you been finding yourself particularly uncomfortable in front of a flight of stairs and uneven grounds? Well, that might be because you are more unstable on uneven floors due to gravity.
And it also is a good reason to ponder if you need to start using a walking cane.
A walking cane would support you on such uneven grounds, and youll be able to walk without any assistance from anyone else.
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To Use Your Cane On Stairs
Try this first with another person nearby to steady you if needed.
If a banister is available, hold on to the banister, and use your cane in the opposite hand. You will still step with the stronger leg first to go up stairs, and with the weaker leg first to go down stairs.
Types Of Canes For Chronic Back Pain
Canes come in different forms and have various applications. The standard cane helps you balance and stand upright. Chronic back pain patients can benefit from a standard cane, as they are known to lean to one side or the other to lessen pain which throws off balance. The quad cane provides more support and helps those who need a bit more stability. Physicians suggest you use a walker or crutches if you must put more than 20 percent of your weight on the cane.
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Walking Canes For Any Age Group
The idea of a cane being associated with old age is outdated. Today, people of all ages use a cane or walking stick for additional support and balance. Whether you recently had back surgery or simply pulled a muscle, a cane is a perfect tool for mobility and healing.
Obesity is another good reason to use a cane with back pain. Extra weight can lead to additional pressure on the spine and joints. A walking stick not only lessens some of the stress of added pounds, but it also keeps you moving to increase your metabolism.
Dmi Deluxe Lightweight Adjustable Walking Cane
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DMI Deluxe Walking Cane is lightweight and adjusts from 30 to 39 inches with a button and weighs 12 ounces. It features a strong and sturdy slip-resistant offset supporting up to 250 pounds with a rubber tip for stability, preventing slips and falls.
The handle is made of soft foam with a convenient strap to keep it secure around the wrist for a comfortable grip helping reduce hand soreness and fatigue plus preventing falls. The cane comes in a sleek and sophisticated design for both men and women and doesnt look like a medical one.
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Adjusting Emotionally To Using A Cane For Arthritis
Although canes might seem to signify to you that your disease has progressed, try to reframe your thinking to how your cane is helping you maintain your quality of life.
I try to encourage patients to stay as independent as possible for as long as possible, and that means staying active andengaging in your environment, Dr. Hartley says. To the extent a cane would allow you to do that, then you ought to be using it.
Arthritis patient Joan Wzontek Alba says whether youre on the first stepping stone of a cane or all the way to a wheelchair, use your device with pride. Never be ashamed of whatever mobility aid helps you, she says.
Why Do I Need A Walking Stick
Knowing when to use a cane is important. Staying active can help you recover from many types of back pain. This is because most back pain isn’t due to serious illnesses or injuries such as cancer or a bone fracture. By staying active, you can increase mobility and reduce stiffness. With the proper use of a cane, you can move more freely without putting excess weight or pressure on your back.
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