Walking Assistance May Help Prevent Damage
By Tom Herrin
Most people have had a time in which they have had some kind of injury caused by stepping wrong or overdoing some outdoor activity. As a result, they may have needed some kind of assistance for at least a short period of time. When doing so, it is important to use the right kind of device and use it in the correct way. All such aids are not for all kinds of injuries. Using the correct one may provide a huge difference in recovery without additional injury. Using the wrong one, or using it incorrectly, may increase the chance of injury or add to what was already sustained. Someone with a sprain or other problem could end up with an injury to the spine or shoulder.
The Common Problems
Receiving injuries that result in the need for walking aids happens all of the time. It is quite obvious that a person is caught off guard. For those who may have problems in which they suffer hip or knee injuries, walkers may be the best choice because they allow a person to support much of their entire weight on the walker without leaning on the injured part. Crutches are a pretty familiar sight in many homes or schools. When someone needs to keep weight pretty much completely off of one foot or knee, crutches can help to support the body without using that injured part. A cane is something that many may be associated with older people, but they may be quite useful when people want to reduce the amount of weight on a given part and yet still allow some on it.
Canes May Do More Than You Think
It seems most common that people using canes are thought of as older or very limited. While this is true in some cases, there are other times in which they are used to help with balance. If someone has limits with balance, a cane may be used to add stability as they walk. For those who may be recovering from a bit of an injury, such as a sprain, the cane should be used on the opposite side from the injured part. This allows the cane and the injured part to share the weight in one step before the weight is shifted onto the good foot or leg with the next. This allows gentle stress as the part is healing.
Check Your Home for Hazards
Even though many of these sprains and similar types of injuries may happen outdoors, they may occur in the home as well. It can be a good idea for each of us to check our homes for any kind of debris, electrical cords, or anything else around that may cause some to trip. A lot of us keep some kind of walking assistance device around for emergencies, but the best cure is prevention. As we attempt to take care of our health, let us not forget the importance of keeping obstacles out of the way.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Lone Tree, Colo.