Using a cane or a crutch when you have an injury can be very confusing especially when characters on TV shows don’t even use them right! So let me show you how to walk with a cane correctly. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes very easy and natural. When we walk normally, our opposite arm swings forward with our opposite leg. When using a cane, you want the same technique so you don’t risk injuring something else while you are recovering.
The most important part to start with is to make sure your cane is the right height. Most canes have a pin you can push in to change the height. On your upper leg there is a bone that sticks out called your greater trochanter. It is just below your hip. This is where you want the top of the cane. You should have a slight bend in your elbow about 20 degrees. If the cane is too high, you might irritate your shoulder, and if it is too low, you might lean over too much.
Now for the walking part. The cane should be in the opposite hand of the injured side. Yes, House, MD did it wrong! The cane should always move with the injured side. If the injured side goes forward, the cane goes forward for support. Again, this is how our bodies naturally move; so don’t think about it too much. Just move how you would normally move. The cane should be for balance and safety, and if you feel like you are pushing really hard on it, or if you can’t walk smoothly, then you probably are not ready for a cane yet.
Do you find yourself plopping down in a chair? This video will show you some simple tips on how to sit down and stand up safely from a chair to prevent that plopping!
The term “Red Light Therapy” can mean many different things. So it’s important to know what type of Red Light Therapy you are getting from a device, and what type you actually need. In this video, I discuss the different types of Red Light Therapy, the benefits of each, and what you should look for in a Red Light Therapy Device.
Yoga at bedtime can help you fall asleep faster and sleep better. Trudy, a registered yoga teacher and fellow Physical Therapist, stops by to show me a therapeutic yoga bedtime routine.
This seated exercise routine for seniors focuses on simple exercises that can help loosen up and strengthen the muscles in the neck, shoulders, back, hips, knees, and ankles. It’s a great daily routine at any age.
Bodyweight exercises are great (especially for beginners) because they can be done without any equipment or an expensive gym membership. Many simple and effective exercises can be done with just our bodyweight. The bodyweight exercises in this video are great for helping to improving strength, balance, and overall health.
Muscles and joints can become sore and irritated for many reasons including stress, over working the muscles, or an injury. These gentle stretches should help relieve sore muscles and joints.
Some of the most common accidents and injuries happen doing everyday activities. Walking, getting in and out of the shower, and even going up and down stairs can be dangerous for people with limited mobility. These simple exercises should help prevent these types of injuries.
Tension headaches are very common, and they can really shut you down. Stress is the number one cause of tension headaches. These simple stretches and exercises can help relax the muscles that are causing the pain.
Tinnitus is a ringing in your ears. For some people, this simple technique may stop tinnitus immediately giving you instant relief. Tinnitus can also be another noise like buzzing, roaring, hissing, etc.
