Hi all,
For five years I’ve been managing with one walking stick if I need to move around on foot. But I’m thinking about using two. Has anyone else moved from using one to using two sticks? Is it less tiring to use two sticks? I imagine it is, because you can lean heavily on both sides, not just on one side.
All advice will be gratefully accepted!
Chris
if you have problems with balance then two will almost certainly help. I would also think about using crutches. Is there any way you can try them out for yourself e.g. perhaps your GP or MS nurse could refer you for assessment?
Yes, Chris, I went from one stick to two. Much better. Better yet is two hiking poles set so that you are reaching up just a but. That keeps you more upright.
With one stick I was leaning to that side and overloading that hip - but that was with bad left leg, and stick in right hand (master hand). With two sticks, the left hand started to show the first signs of a developing tremor, making control of a stick on that side a bit awkward.
Now (thanks to a good physio) I use a 3-wheeled walker.
Geoff
Hi I’m with Geoff on this one. I use 2 poles. My posture is so much better as not leaning on one stick. You can get poles with spikes at the bottom that help in icy weather so give some reassurance in tough conditions. All the best Neil
Hi Chris
I started on a regular foldable walking stick, then on to two comfy grip sticks which were better for my hands and increased stability. However, I quickly moved onto a pair oflovely maroon ossenburg crutches, because that was much better for my posture, kept me upright, and more balanced. A lot of normal walking sticks I had used up to this point put terrible strain on my back. You can put more of your weight onto crutches, the only pressure you may feel is in your hands, but then you can buy gel / comfy grips for extra support. There is so much out there.
I didn’t get a chance to use a walker, but they seem to give alot of people much more freedom, indoors and out. I’m now in the process of buying a tilted wheelchair. If I was well enough, I would absolutely love a mobility scooter, I’ve seen people whizzing by on those , my god, don’t they go fast!
I used to go to my local mobility shop for advice, and test out the disability aids. They would rent out a wide range of their walking aids, wheelchairs etc, for the day, or even a week, however long you needed it. It cost me say a pound for the whole day for the crutches for example. ( The money went to their charity ). It gave me a chance to try things out to see if it worked for me. An excellent way to try before you buy.
Anyway, going back to your question Chris, ( sorry for waffling on ) it is best to protect your posture/balance , with two sticks if you can, otherwise you could be causing some uneccessary damage to you body. That’s what the experts have told me, as well as from my own experience.
Almond xxx
Thanks everyone for your replies - much appreciated.
Chris