Modern medicine has many treatment options for back pain, but for some people an ancient, low-tech option is the answer—or 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.
Deciding between a cane or walker
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 you’d 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 can’t be used on stairs.
Types of canes
You can find a variety of cane types from ones with a standard T-shaped handle (these help with balance but can’t support much weight) to multi-legged canes that provide maximum stability.
You can often find canes in a variety of colors and patterns too, if you’re interested in making a fashion statement.
Types of walkers
Walkers come with no wheels, two front wheels, and four wheels. When using a walker without wheels, you’ll have to pick up the walker to move. With a front-wheeled walker, you don’t need to use as much effort to move. The four-wheeled walkers require the least amount of effort, but you not be able to put much weight on them.
You can even find wheeled walkers with seats that let you go for a walk, then rest as you need to.
Using your cane or walker
We strongly encourage you to work with your health-care team to be sure you’ve chosen the right type of size of device, that it’s sized correctly for you, and that you’re using your cane or walker correctly.
One thing you may not realize it that you need to hold a cane on the strongest side of your body. So if you have pain or weakness primarily on the left side of the body, the cane goes in the right hand.
This makes sense when you consider that you swing your right arm forward when you move your left leg and vice versa. So your cane swings forward as you move your weak side forward.
Using a cane or walker is just one of many options that can help you remain mobile while recovering from back pain. To find out more about managing your pain, please contact us at Tulsa Pain.
Tulsa Pain is a pain management practice in Oklahoma that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain. We are dedicated to helping those who are suffering find the relief they deserve. Our team uses a balanced approach by incorporating minimally invasive, outpatient procedures, complementary and alternative medicine, and medication to help patients take control of their pain. Call 918-742-7030 or click here to Request an Appointment to meet with one of our talented pain management specialists today!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
