Walking canes are a form of mobility device that helps people get around. Though they may be unfamiliar or even feared, walking canes are a helpful tool to assist people with limited mobility. They help by providing stability and balance, enabling people to walk safely and confidently across uneven surfaces such as streets with potholes or stairs. They’re generally made out of wood or aluminum and sometimes even carbon fiber. The most important thing to look for when buying a cane is that it’s the correct size for your height.

How do you use them? Well, let’s take a step back and consider how you would walk without a cane first.

You probably:

  • Walked on your heels (tippy-toe)
  • Were able to walk without falling over for short distances
  • Had a very short or unstable stride

There are two main types of canes: folding and rigid.

Folding canes fold up when not in use and usually collapse in thirds, or in half. Rigid canes don’t collapse and they’re most commonly used by adults with impaired balance and elderly people for support.

People That Use Walking Canes Usually:

  • Walk with a more normal heel-toe gait (such as the preferred gait of wheelchair users) – They walk with a more stable and confident stride – They often feel less tired and do not need to stop as much as those who walk without canes – Their endurance is improved, resulting in. less fatigue after long walks
  • Walking canes are usually made of wood, aluminium or plastic. The handle is often covered with a rubber non-slip grip material. Some may have a built-in retractable blade to cut through cobblestones and provide more protection for the user’s feet.
  • They are used by people of all ages, including some children. However, their use has increased in recent years due to the aging population in developed countries and the rise in mobility devices becoming more accessible.
  • Walking canes are often used by older people and people with physical disabilities. The elderly tend to use walking canes because of the uncomfortable feeling of walking on heels and even those with limited mobility may use them as a method of transportation through uneven terrain such as cobblestone streets.
  • People who need to walk for short distances, especially those with limited mobility, usually use walking sticks or crutches as a form of assistance. However, these devices do not provide stability and balance and tend to be very heavy.
  • Walking canes come in handy for people who have trouble walking, whether due to injury or old age. They’re great for people with balance issues, and they’re the only non-medicinal thing that helps with arthritic pain!

How Is The Walking Cane Beneficial Especially For Disabled People?

  • A walking cane can be beneficial for people who are disabled, as it offers different degrees of support. For example, the cane may act as an extension of one’s arm to help with stability or balance. It can also act as a way to help lessen some weight bearing on the lower limbs if an individual has difficulty bearing weight. The cane may also be used as a position brace, meaning that it temporarily takes on some of the load taken by muscles which are no longer working properly due to injury or disease.
  • Walking canes also have several different ways to offer support, from being a simple walking cane that can help with balance and stability, to being something that is more functional and provides a higher degree of support. For example, there are canes that have hand grips on them, which one can use when they need a bit more support due to fatigue or weakness.
  • The walking cane may also be used for helping with alignment, which can help someone who has problems standing or walking in a straight line. This cane usually has a bright color or pattern on it to help people notice it, and it is placed several feet in front of the user. The user will walk forward by placing their walking stick down and moving their next foot forward to meet the cane. This helps to keep them from veering off to one side or the other as they walk, which can cause problems with balance.
  • Another type of cane that is used is called a quad cane. A quad cane may be used as a cane that helps with supporting the user, or as a cane which has more of a medical purpose. People who use these canes may have problems with many of their joints, and those joints could cause them to trip, fall, or have difficulty moving around if they become unstable. A quad cane will usually allow one to use it as a walking aid if they want, but also offers the ability to lift up the bottom two legs of the cane and extend them out in front of them.

Walking Canes For Self Defense

Cane fighting is a technique rooted in the arts of empty-handed combat practiced in the Philippines. It involves using a walking cane to deflect or block an incoming strike, and can also be used for delivering strikes to various parts of the body, especially vulnerable targets such as eyes, temples, throat, solar plexus, groin or other sensitive areas. Cane fighting is a very effective means of self-defense which also teaches one good skills in martial arts. In addition, cane fighting is a lot safer than other combat sports such as boxing, karate, judo and others because no one actually gets hurt during this training. You don’t have to worry about breaking your hand while defending yourself or while practicing your strikes.