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.
Core exercises are very important to have a healthy and stable back as well as the whole body. The core is not only the front, sides, and back of the trunk, but it is also the pelvic floor. When first starting core exercises, it is best to try modified ones first and then progress to harder movements as the core gets stronger.
People often have poor posture when they are working at a desk or gaming all day. These quick exercises will help improve bad posture fast, and they are easy to do at your desk or chair.
Struggling to get a good night’s sleep? You’re not alone! But here’s some good news: short strengthening exercises in the evening (like the ones in this video) can help improve sleep quality so you wake up refreshed.
The pelvic floor muscles are often overlooked, and people don’t think about strengthening them. Since the pelvic floor muscles are small, it doesn’t take a lot of movement to work them, so it’s best to start with a little and slowly progress.
Hot & cold therapy can help the healing process during an injury, and it can also help reduce acute and chronic pain. But which one should you use? Here are some general rules for using hot verses cold.
These simple stretches are easy to do every day to help seniors stay mobile, independent, and pain free from head to toe! They can also help improve balance, gait, and decrease the risk of falls. And they are not just for seniors, they are also great for anyone looking for a simple every day routine.
Vagus nerve stimulation uses gentle electrical impulses to stimulate the vagus nerve. The Vagus Nerve plays a key role in the parasympathetic nervous system, helping regulate rest, digestion, heart rate, and more.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, better known as BPPV, can literally stop you in your tracks. Make sure you are properly diagnosed with BPPV before trying these because vertigo symptoms can be an indication of something more serious.
