Five Tips for Dealing with Canes

Many people in the United States depend on walking canes to help them walk. Using a cane can help you compensate for an injury or a physical disability. If you are experiencing instability while walking, you may be wondering if you could benefit from using a cane. There is no simple yes or no answer as to when you should start using a cane. 

Discussing the issue with a medical professional or physical therapist can help you decide when it is time to start using a cane. One of the key benefits of using a cane is preventing dangerous falls. Here are a few tips for choosing and using a cane to help you walk. 

Determine Whether or Not You Would Benefit From Using a Cane

Deciding to use a cane can be difficult. Many people put off using a cane because they associate using one with getting older. However, it is essential to look at a cane as a helpful medical tool. If you are considering using a cane, you may want to ask yourself these questions:

• Do you decide to not do things because you are worried about risking a fall or feeling like you cannot physically complete the task?
• Are you unable to easily walk down a flight of stairs? Do you need help doing so or do you need to hold the railing the entire way up or down the stairs? 
• Do you ever get the feeling that you will fall when you walk without assistance?
• Does walking without assistance cause you pain in your joints and limbs?
• When you walk, do you constantly look for a fixture to grab to help you balance and to steady yourself?
• Are you more tired than you would like to be after walking unassisted? Does walking unassisted require a significant amount of physical exertion? 

Choose a Cane That is the Proper Height for Your Body

Getting the right height on your cane will help you tremendously. A cane of the right height will reduce undue pressure on your arms, wrist, and shoulder. How do you know the right height for you? Stand with your arms by your sides and relax. Check the position of your wrist bone. The height of your wrist bone should be where the top of the handle of your cane reaches. If you are having a challenging time measuring yourself or determining which size walking cane to purchase, your medical professional can help measure you. They can also help you order the correct size of walking cane.

Choose the Correct Type of Walking Assistance

You know you need a walking device, but you do not know which type of device is the best option for you. Should you choose elbow crutches, or a walking cane to assist you as you walk? Elbow crutches provide more support for an individual’s body than a walking cane. After seeking out an evaluation with your medical professional or physical therapist, you will better understand which type of assistance is best for your body. One of the benefits of elbow crutches is that they give people a higher level of mobility and allow for a faster gait. Elbow crushes also support greater weight than walking canes alone. 

Walking canes come in a variety of designs and styles. Some walking canes even fold up so you can easily transport them. Today’s marketplace has a wide variety of walking canes and accessories. Whether you would like a pop of color on your walking cane or extra support, many online and retail stores offer all of the accessories you need to get the most out of your walking cane. Walking cane accessories include walking cane tips, supportive bases for quad canes, tripods, wrist straps, and holders for your walking cane. 

Supportive bases can help owners of walking canes walk more safely. Cane base tips grip the ground and make the walking cane stay in contact with the ground longer. This extra grip allows for extra stability. Additionally, self-standing walking cane bases allow the cane to stick straight up and stand on its own. This can be helpful because you will not need to lean your cane up against a wall when it is not in use. Using a self-standing base will give you more freedom, convenience, and safety while walking. 

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. 

Visit a Chiropractor Regularly

Whether you need to use a cane for a disability or while recovering an injury, chiropractic care can help greatly. Chiropractic care is a safe and pain-free treatment that helps you restore balance and alignment to your body. Shoulder pain and back pain is common when it comes to using a walking cane, but a chiropractor can adjust your alignment and leave you feeling better than you did when you came into the office.

Everyone can benefit from chiropractic care. In some cases, using chiropractic care can help boost your immunity, improve your breathing, and reduce your need for pain medication. If you use a walking cane, you can benefit from regular chiropractic care. Contact the Injury Care Center today to learn more about our chiropractic treatment options.