How to use a Walking Stick
This may seem obvious, but using a walking stick correctly is fundamental. Not just for immediate support, but for how your body moves, adapts, and functions over time.
Used well, a walking stick can improve balance and confidence. Used poorly, it can reinforce the very issues you are trying to manage.
Following a recent patient seen by our Principal Osteopath, this became very clear.
He initially presented with concerns about his walking pattern. He had noticed that his stride had become short and shuffling, and wanted to know if there was anything that could be done to improve it.
Having seen him previously for lower back pain related to arthritis, we already had some clinical background. However, on this occasion, it was clear that his walking mechanics had changed quite significantly.
As we explored further, this change appeared to link back to a recent episode of vertigo, after which he had spent over six weeks less active and largely confined to the house. During this time, he had started using a walking stick for reassurance.
However, this had developed into a pattern of reaching forward towards the stick, leaning onto it, and reducing his natural stride. The walking stick had shifted from being a light support to something he was relying on more heavily, almost like a structure to hold onto.
This combination of reduced activity, loss of confidence, and altered walking mechanics had contributed to his short, shuffling gait and was beginning to place additional strain through his posture and lower back.
On assessment, it was clear that improving his walking stick technique, alongside rebuilding confidence in movement, could help restore a more natural walking pattern, improve stride length, and reduce unnecessary strain.
Why Do People Use a Walking Stick?
People typically begin using a walking stick for a few key reasons:
To improve balance and stability
To reduce load through a painful joint
To increase confidence when walking
As a precaution after injury or illness
These are all valid reasons. However, the intention behind using the stick and how it is actually used are often very different.
When a Walking Stick Becomes Part of the Problem
A common pattern we see is reaching for support rather than moving with it.
The stick is placed too far ahead.
The body leans forward towards it.
Weight is transferred onto the stick before the body has moved naturally.
Over time, this can lead to:
Reduced stride length
A more stooped posture
Increased strain through the lower back and shoulders
Greater dependency on the stick
In effect, the walking stick begins to change your movement pattern rather than support it.
Good Walking Stick Technique and Tips
A few simple adjustments can make a significant difference.
1. Hold the stick in the opposite hand
If your right leg is affected, hold the stick in your left hand. This helps distribute load more naturally and supports a more balanced gait.
2. Keep the stick close to your body
Avoid placing it too far in front. Overreaching encourages leaning and disrupts your natural walking pattern.
3. Move the stick with your opposite leg
The stick and the affected leg should move together. This creates a smoother and more stable rhythm.
4. Stay upright
Try to keep your chest lifted and your eyes forward. If you find yourself leaning onto the stick, reset your posture.
5. Use it as support, not a crutch
The stick should provide light assistance, not take your full weight. If your arm or shoulder is becoming fatigued, something is not quite right.
6. Check the height
A correctly fitted stick should reach your wrist crease when your arm is relaxed by your side. An incorrect height will alter your posture and mechanics.
Understanding the Bigger Picture
What often sits underneath changes in walking like this is a combination of deconditioning and reduced confidence.
After a period of illness or reduced activity, muscles lose strength, joints become stiffer, and the body naturally adopts more cautious movement patterns. Add in an experience like vertigo, and it is entirely understandable that someone begins to move more carefully and rely more heavily on support.
However, the body quickly adapts to these new patterns. Shorter steps, slower pace, and increased reliance on a walking aid can become the new normal if not addressed.
This is where early intervention matters. With the right guidance, it is often possible to restore more natural movement, rebuild confidence, and prevent longer-term strain or discomfort.
Final Thought
A walking stick should enhance your movement, not replace it.
If your walking pattern has changed, or you feel increasingly reliant on your stick, it is worth having your technique assessed. Often, small changes can restore confidence, improve posture, and make walking feel far more natural again.
Speak to one of our team https://thewatersidepractice.janeapp.co.uk
or call 01487 209 084