Will a walking stick or crutches help my back pain?

[Cheryl70]

Hi all, I am struggling with standing still and walking slowly, I seem to be ok if I can walk at a faster pace for short distances, but I am wondering if using a stick or crutches would help me with the pain? I recently had to visit several schools as my daughter will be moving up to secondary school next September and was in so much pain during and after it reduced me to tears and made me realise I need help to be able to continue to do these things. I spoke to my physio and she suggested using a corset , this helps with lower back but not upper back, I’m going back to her on Friday but wondered if any of you had any advice?

[Miss68]

Hi Hun, sorry to hear that you’re suffering. I have a benign spinal cystic tumour as well as fibro. I use a crutch as I struggle to walk and it certainly helps me. It gives me something to lean into and to steady myself if I’m feeling a bit wobbly. Hope this helps Hun and feel free to talk anytime you want to. Take care and gentle hugs xx

[Cheryl70 in reply to Miss68]

Thankyou for your reply, my balance isn’t too bad at the moment it’s more to take the pressure off of my back. You sound like you’re really going through it, I hope things improve for you or at least don’t any get worse xxx

[Miss68 in reply to Cheryl70]

Thank you so much for your lovely kind words Hun. Just to clarify, walking aids don’t take pain away Hun. You’ll need to get medication for it instead as Redmaple-5 has quite rightly suggested.

Good luck with it Hun and I hope you manage to get some relief for it. Take care xx

[Cheryl70 in reply to Miss68]

Thanks, I’m on more than enough medication but as you know it never really takes the pain away, I’m back at the physio today so I’ll speak to her xxx

[Miss68 in reply to Cheryl70]

You’re so right hun, nothing takes the pain away completely. Good luck at physio and let me know how you get on Hun xx

[fenbadger]

the point of those aids is to help balance and/or take at least some of the strain off the muscles and joints. I think you may not know until you try. Its worth finding out for sure.

[Cheryl70 in reply to fenbadger]

Thankyou for your reply, my balance isn’t too bad really it’s more about taking the pressure off of my back, I guess you’re right I need to try them to see if they help xxx

[redmaple-5]

Hi Cheryl70, It is probably best to ask your physiotherapist at your next appointment. I use a walking stick and wear a back support belt. They don't stop my pain, just give me support and confidence. I find the only thing that helps my pain is prescribed medication and not overdoing things. X🙂

[Cheryl70 in reply to redmaple-5]

Thankyou for your reply, I’m seeing her Friday so I will speak to her about it again, unfortunately I was hoping to get relief from the pain by using an aid but perhaps I’m expecting too much xxx

[Cheryl70]

Thank you for your reply ,

It’s the opposite for me, I’m in much more pain going slowly or standing still! I have had hydrotherapy and have progressed to aqua therapy which is a bit faster paced , I can move really well in the pool with very little pain, so it really helps me . I just need to take the pressure off my back while shopping etc, yes I do drive xxx

[Cheryl70]

Thankyou xxx

[Ramjets]

Sorry you're struggling hun. I too have had problems with my lower and upper back and would get pain just by standing. My physio gave me exercises to strengthen my core which were painful and difficult at first but over time have got easier and I have felt the benefit. x

[Mdaisy]

Hi Cheryl70

If it is your back that is causing the most pain then depending on the other areas you have pain stick or crutches may not be the answer for you personally. I have seen recently products that are heated back support and as the physio suggested a corset I would consider these as an option, don't know how much they cost tho'. If you do try this do let us know how you get on with it, as I was thinking it might help me too.

Hope you are having a pain free day as possible today

Emma

[Cheryl70 in reply to Mdaisy]

Thank you for the advice, I have tried the corset , it helps with lower back a bit but the pain just moves further up, I’m seeing my physio again today so I will chat to her about it xxx

[Dinkie]

It's worth a try - you will never know unless you give it a go. I find it hard to start walking and being slow makes me more unbalanced. If I could run I am sure I would be less wobbly!

It's important if you use sticks or crutches to have them the correct height for you. My physio told me to use two sticks or two crutches never one as it alters posture and can lead to other problems. I have smart crutch elbow crutches which are adjustable both in height and in the elbow to wrist length. The angle of the elbow to wrist bit can also be adjusted angle wise and they are lined so quite comfortable to use. The crutches are specific left and right so the handgrips are comfortable. Worth a look if you wish to use walking aid. I find my rollator better for shopping as I can sit when I need to and it has basket for shopping so not as difficult as handling sticks or crutches when trying to purchase things! Certainly I notice a difference using my sticks or crutches especially first thing in the morning when I am so stiff and unbalanced or when getting out of the car.

[Cheryl70 in reply to Dinkie]

Thankyou for your reply, you’ve been really helpful xxx

[Joynjoy]

I use a crutch, 2 on the worst days, and I couldn't get by without. A physio told me not too, said it would cause more than it would cure but she was so wrong.

It helps to balance me up, straighten me up, which corrects my posture to a less tiring attitude. It takes some of the weight/strain of each step enabling me to walk for longer. I wouldn't cope with inclines without it and it certainly gets me up otherwise insurmountable steps.

My pain is lower back/left hip mainly so a crutch on my right arm shares the weight and balances me to swing my right leg forward. And yes, sometimes it is as much effort as it sounds. On better days the crutch prevents me hurting myself as I do a bit more than usual.

I would say crutch not stick, better balance, better angle, feels safer and more supportive. It will also dangle from your arm instead of calling to the floor when you need to use both hands!

Good luck.

[Cheryl70 in reply to Joynjoy]

Thankyou for your reply, it’s my left hip also, I think I will try a crutch to see if it helps me xxx

[Cheryl70]

Thankyou for your reply, I also do core exercises but I still have the pain when standing or walking slowly, I’m back at the physio so I’ll ask her again xxx

[ladyofshalot]

Hi I use a crutch have upper and lower back arthritis. Definitely helps especially when standing. I can walk short distances but the crutch does help me walk further and I feel less fatigued after. I also have Fibro and CFS. Take a look at smart crutches they look so good.?Hope this helps 😊