How Do You Use A Cane For Lower Back Pain – Tips & Tricks

Older people use a cane to walk with some support. How do you use a cane for lower back pain? The use of a cane in an inappropriate manner can affect your body.

Before choosing or using a cane, you should know all the basic points about a cane. There are different types of cane for lower back pain. It would help if you chose according to your pain level.

How Do You Use A Cane For Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain affects your quality of life. The pain in the spine causes various disabilities in the body. It also impacts walking ability.

A cane is used to provide support to the body. It helps to maintain balance in your body while walking. It helps you to walk without the fear of being fallen.

Canes reduce the pressure from one side of your leg. Canes are best to use when your one side is not working well. People with scoliosis prefer canes while walking.

Canes are beneficial after spine surgery. When you undergo spine surgery, your spine can’t handle the pressure. Canes reduce the stress from the spine and help to heal quickly.

Type Of Canes For Lower Back Pain

Canes are available in different sizes and designs. You have to choose the best cane according to your pain level. You can consult a doctor for the suggestion. They can guide you better about which cane suits you better.

The following are the basic categories of cane for lower back pain;

1. Standard Canes:

Standard canes are the simplest type of canes. They come with a T-shaped handle which is comfortable to hold. These canes help to maintain balance.

Standard canes are not suitable for people with extra weight. It can’t bear that much weight. They are better to use for normal people.

2. Offset Canes:

People with extra weight should choose offset canes. They help to maintain more weight than standard cane. It offers a flat holder.

It provides support to those who have a weak hold of the stick. It comes with an upper tube that can bend in an outward direction.

3. Multi-legged Canes:

These are the advanced canes with multiple legs. It has more than one leg to support the balance more effectively.

It provides more stability than the other two types. It reduces the chance of falling. Older people prefer this type of cane due to its stability.

4. Adjustable Canes:

Adjustable canes provide the advantage of correcting the height of the canes as per your need. You can adjust them according to your height.

They are designed especially for people with extra height. Once selecting the appropriate level with your height, you can fix it as well.

Tips To Use A Cane For Lower Back Pain

Before choosing a cane, you should know how do you use a cane for lower back pain. It depends on your pain area and type of lower back pain.

These are the basic tips & tricks for using a cane;

1. Right Cane For Your Pain:

Choosing the right cane for your lower back is the major tip. Always consult a physician before selecting a cane for you. They suggest according to your pain level and needs.

Using the wrong type of cane can cause serious pain in your back. It can damage the back tissues more intensely. It can also cause chronic lower back pain.

2. Cane With Proper Grip:

There are different types of canes available in the market. They provide support to a different areas. They come in different designs and holding techniques.

Always choose the cane with a proper grip. So it can avoid falling. The cane should be able to remove pressure from your back and maintain balance.

3. Maintain Correct Posture:

While using a cane, keep in mind to have the correct posture. People use canes to keep their balance and posture correct. If you don’t use the cane in a proper way, it can damage your back muscles and posture as well.

Try to keep your shoulders relaxed. Hold the cane in a way that reduces stress from your spine and back muscles. With correct posture, you will notice an improvement in your back pain.

4. Material Of The Cane

The material of the cane matters a lot when choosing a cane. Always choose a material that works better on slippery surfaces as well.

Try to choose handles made of soft rubber material. They are easy to hold and provide a strong grip.

Safety Tips To Use A Cane For Lower Back Pain

You should know certain tips before using a cane for lower back pain. These tips can help to prevent any further pain in your body. It helps to keep your body balanced.

The following are the basic tips for using a cane;

– You should have a proper grip on the cane before walking.

– Maintain your balance on the cane when you start moving.

– Avoid rusty and slippery paths because you can fall.

– Make sure the cane you are using is able to hold your weight.

– While walking, keep your back straight. It reduces stress on the back muscles.

– Don’t hold your cane on the affected side. Try to hold it on the opposite side.

– Before walking directly on the road, try to walk in an empty room with the help of a cane.

– Wear comfortable shoes while walking with a cane. They can support your walk better.

– Consult your physician before choosing a cane. They can guide you better about which cane will suit you better.

When To Consult A Physician

People with lower back pain find it hard to walk without any support. They need a stick or walker to maintain their balance and walk properly.

For the right type of support, you should consult your doctor. They can better guide you about which type of support will be best for your pain.

Canes are one of those walking supports. Canes are used to maintain balance in your body. They help you to walk properly. Canes are easy to hold and walk with.

Canes come in different types and designs. Your doctor can suggest you the right type for you. First, they examine you and then suggest any cane.

Conclusion

Canes are beneficial for people who face lower back pain. Canes provide support to your back muscles and spine. It helps to reduce stress in your spine.

People who find it hard to walk without any support should choose canes. Canes made it easy to walk by yourself. You can choose according to your choice and comfort level.

It is important to know how to use canes for walking. Using it in the wrong direction can affect your body muscles. It can cause serious pain in your spine.

Before using a cane on the road, you should try to walk in an empty room. Try to maintain balance with a cane. Avoid walking on slippery surfaces. They reduce friction.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Is The Difference Between A Walker Or A Cane?

Canes and walkers are both used to maintain balance in the body. They help to walk better with support. Both reduce pain in your back muscles.

Walkers are best to use when you have pain in both legs. While canes are best to use when you face pain in one side of your body.

Walker and canes are suitable for older people or people with lower back pain. Both help to reduce stress from your spine.

2. How Should We Hold A Cane While Walking?

While walking with the help of a cane, try to hold it properly. Choose the cane which provides more grip and support to your body.

Always hold the cane in the opposite direction to your affected side. You can walk better with this technique. Move the cane as you walk.  

Keep the cane along with your leg side while walking. Try to ensure that your cane has strong legs to walk on slippery and rusty surfaces as well.

3. How To Choose The Best Type Of Cane For Back Pain?

Before choosing any cane for your back pain, consult your physician first. They can guide you better about different types of canes.

They can suggest the best type of cane which will reduce your pain. They suggest according to your pain level and demand.

Some canes are best to use after spine surgery, and others are good for chronic lower back pain. They differ according to their type and design.