You Never Know When You Will Need to Use Walking Aids
By Tom Herrin
Most people have had some kind of accident in which they ended up in need of a walking aid. It may be as a result of the dreaded turned ankle that can cause so much discomfort on a temporary basis, or it may be from any other of a variety of other things. Whichever is the case, they need some kind of help to get around because they may be unable to place weight on their foot or leg for a period of time. While rest may be the best way of healing this kind of injury, that rest must take place. Using a walking aid can help to assist.
The Choice of Aids Depends on the Need
Some people may require having some way to keep weight off of their injured part completely. Crutches are usually the solution for this. Using them, a person can place weight either on the good foot or the pair of crutches as they touch the ground. Another type of aid is the walker. Many people may think of a walker as something used in nursing homes. This is not necessarily the case. A walker can allow someone to take most of the weight off of the entire lower part of the body while still maintaining stable balance. There are many types of walkers for many different needs. The third type of walking aid is the cane. It has its own purpose
A Cane May Be Great for Slow Recovery
People usually use a cane for a couple of reasons. They may either have a little trouble with balance, or they may be working to slowly gain the ability to place more weight on the injured part. When using a cane for rehab, they should use the cane on the opposite limb from the injured part. They will use the two together in order to lessen the weight on that part. The next step should be with the good foot. The cane is great for this because it is so portable as well.
Planning Ahead Helps
As we make our plans for better preparedness, it may be a good idea to have some kind of walking aid around. We have all three kinds at our home. What may be even more important is to see what we can do to make our homes safer. Many accidents happen at home because we are usually most comfortable there. It is always a good practice to check our homes for safety hazards on a regular basis. Removing cords and clutter may help to prevent our need to use any of these walking aids. This is another part of being prepared.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Berkeley, Calif.