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How to use a walking stick correctly
Most people who need help walking start by using a stick. Do you know how to use a walking stick correctly? Did you even know there’s a right and wrong way? Incorrect use could increase the risk of falling or cause injury to another part of your body.
Setting the Right Height
It’s important to have your stick at the right height, and Physiotherapists recommend this method of measuring:
- Stand upright with your arms hanging naturally to the side,
- Turn the stick upside down with the handle resting on the floor,
- With the stick beside you, ask someone to mark where your wrist bone meets the shaft.
- This is where you need to saw the stick off or, if adjustable, shorten or lengthen the stick accordingly.
When using your stick, your arm should be slightly bent at the elbow.
Using your stick correctly
You use your stick on the same side as your injured or weak leg, not the opposite side, as some assume. This is more likely to cause you more issues or injury. As you move your weak leg, move your stick forward simultaneously, followed by your stronger leg.
This video demonstrates this perfectly. This guy is also an amazing over-50s Physio whose videos I highly recommend.
Stairs
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When using stairs with a walking stick, remember this saying: “Up with the good and down with the bad.” When you step up, use your good leg first, follow with the stick and lastly your weaker leg.
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Posture
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Keep your back as straight as possible. It’s OK to place some weight on the stick, but try not to lean to one side or forward. When you’re walking, don’t swing your stick out any further in front than your leg would normally reach. This prevents you from overextending your arm.
Practice makes perfect. However, I am not a fan of a walking stick. I am more in favour of a good quality wheeled walker or rollator. I find them far more stable. They encourage an even distribution of weight and have a seat so you can take a break.
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Are you familiar with Flexyfoot walking canes and ergonomic ferrules ?
This is one of the few areas where people go wrong. Most people are ignorant about this. When using a cane the posture and other factors as mentioned has to be maintained to avoid injuries in future.
These are very useful points, especially for those of us who do not actually need to use a walking stick and will not have considered them. It enables us to pass on these tips to other people who do need them.
Thank you, Caron
Hello Rob,
Many thanks for contacting me at Caron Cares and for pointing out a mistake in one of my articles. This was a genuine error and I am so grateful for you noticing it. I would have felt awful if someone had fallen as a result of my mistake,when the whole purpose of the site is to help the elderly.
Very Best wishes
Caron.
Your paragraph Walking Properly with a Stick surely has an error.
“As you step forward, the stick and the opposite foot should hit the floor at the same time. Then swing the injured – don’t you mean uninjured – leg through… ”
I’d change it before somebody falls over and sues.
Regards
Rob