walking aids???

[Teazymaid]

has any used a walking aid to improve balance as I walk looking at the ground and I can’t look to the side without stopping first .. flat ground is the best and uneven or incline causes pain in my old hamstring injury and the new hip pain I have developed .. I also still walk slightly to one side . Just wondering if. Walking aid might help ?? As I used my mums walking rolater as was god smacked how much I looked ahead . I was only pushing it to met her when she left chaple . Not expecting it to improve the way I walk .. but I’m not sure if this is something others have done with there balance as I so feel strange with one .. Sue

[RogerCMerriman]

I don’t use aids though I do notice that I walk much faster pushing wheelchairs or shopping trolleys, as my balance system is a bit fecked, which means I’m very sight based ie needs to be some for it to work.

Have you had any vestibular rehab or similar? Maybe work exploring with them if not. As walkers etc are £80 ish.

[Teazymaid in reply to RogerCMerriman]

No I’ve had no vestibular rehab but am waiting for a physio next week for balance .. will see if they have any ideas as I’m unsure they are specifically for balance as the neurologist asked for as I know I’ve been referred somewhere and that was changed by an OT who knows me saying that the physio that had been contacted weren’t the right one’s .. so Wednesday I will find out who I’m actually seeing and do they know about Balance issues from a TBI and my weakness in muscles when doing certain things Sue

[Alibongo60]

Hi Sue, my daughter encouraged me to try using a stick, as when I was walking, I thought I was going in a straight line but in fact I was veering into whoever I was walking with. I did feel quite strange at first, but it does actually do the job, I don’t walk into anyone anymore and a plus is people give you a bit more room and time. It has helped my balance when I use it, which is only usually when I’m outside. They are not expensive, I forgot mine when we went to wales and managed to pick a very nice flowered one for about ten pounds from boots, so give it a try. Lots of luck love Alice xx

[Teazymaid in reply to Alibongo60]

Thank you for your reply as I also walk into walls and people I’m with

[haverfordwest]

I could only walk in a straight line if I looked where I was going, as soon as I looked away it was as if I was drunk. I bought some of those sticks you see walkers using as I found them easier to hold than a proper walking stick with a curved handle, and you don't look so old with them 🤭🤭. They are only cheap I paid £8.99 for two on eBay, no need for expensive ones. If I use them at least I can look around and I feel safer on pavements. Hope that helps you, it did me.

[Teazymaid in reply to haverfordwest]

That sounds like the ones i have been looking at as they don’t look like walking sticks 😁 I would like to look around when I’m walking as I didn’t realise I looked at the ground all the time when out on pavements

[haverfordwest in reply to Teazymaid]

They helped me tremendously, they were a bit like stabilisers on a kids bike😊. Also good because they adjust in height, so if you feel comfier with them higher some days they are easy to change. Hoping you find them as helpful as I did. Enjoy being able to look around.

[Teazymaid in reply to haverfordwest]

I need to look in front but can take my eyes off the ground as i wobble or stumble if I can’t see the actual ground and it’s uneven bits or slight incline etc .. maybe that’s why I walk into my husband or walls

[1949liz]

walking with a Rollator helps you walk straight with your head up and your shoulders back, I go to keep fit group for people who are disabled, and it helps the instructor Ian is amazing. He’s funny he has us laughing but he teaches us how important it is to walk with your head up and your shoulders back. I walk with my Rollator or my stick. When I walk with my stick, I have noticed and leaning to one side, but sometimes I have to use my stick.. I hope you get it sorted out. Take care Liz.

[Pairofboots]

Hi Sue, this is one of the problems I had and I was advised to use walking sticks. I found that I was startled by people approaching, and because I looked down, often found walking difficult. I found transition between surfaces also caused me problems especially when light was fading, crossing roads was a nightmare as I found it difficult to assess how much room I needed for traffic/enough space for me to cross.

Although sticks did help, I found that they added to my confusion, having two hands occupied when shopping, carrying bags, going through doors. I only used sticks when out of the house, and still keep them in the car, but now try to not use them, I rarely walk far enough to warrant the negative of using them these days.

I did try some Nordic walking poles, these helped better than traditional sticks as when used properly, they help to propel you forward, improve gait and improve posture.

Traditional Nordic poles have a glove that you lock onto the pole which allows you to have a soft grip, the negative of the glove is that if you stumble or fall, it is difficult to get clear of the poles. There are poles that have been developed for people with brain injuries that don't use a gloves.

Pros and cons.

Traditional walking sticks tend to bring your weight forward which means because of their length you tend to partly weight bare on them, Nordic poles, as I said with traditional poles are used with gloves and can be different to discard if you fall.

Sticks are relatively cheap, Nordic poles can cost a pretty penny.

Traditional sticks you can workout how to use them (opposite hand to opposite leg as you would swing your arms) , Nordic poles need a little training to use them (little being the operative word, unless you want to join a walking group, in which case there is a course).

Traditional sticks bring your weight forward, Nordic poles tend to improve posture and aid propulsion.

Traditional sticks are relatively compact, Nordic poles are longer (but you can get collapsible, in which case, when collapsed, very small).

Traditional sticks give the image/message of a disabled, Nordic poles look a little sporty.

Traditional sticks you can use one or two as required, Nordic poles is always two.

Sticks can be prescribed, Nordic poles are not.

Obviously there are many walking aids, as you said, roleaters, sticks, poles, zimmers. Best thing is to try before you buy , talk to physio/OT, they can assess and advise.

Hope this helps.

[Hidden]

Hi Sue, I had everything that the others here have commented on, I always veered off to the left, always thought I would bump into people along the pavement, had issues comprehending what was up and down, it felt like walking in a spinning gyroscope and at home I found it easier to crawl than navigate around the furniture etc, used hands and feet to get up the stairs and came down stairs step by step on my bum.

In the end it all turned out to be vestibular, spatial awareness issues and the lack of mind body connection.

I had physio and osteopathy, none of these helped, the instructors did not seem to understand what I was talking about.

In the end I tried assortments of vestibular and spatial awareness exercises I found on YouTube, they worked to an extent and when I started mindful movement practices the connection with my mind/ body/ balance and spatial awareness all came together.

It's was not easy doing all these and it takes months to years to bring it together but it worked.

I've started putting the routine I developed together on my YouTube channel

youtu.be/A3iUj0xK2u0?si=qBd...(Not working as expected?)

[Teazymaid]

thank you for your replies I’m thinking towards a Nordic pole as one it doesn’t look like a disability stick 🥴 but it may help my posture as well A my balance plus pains in hip and hamstring .. will see what the physio says but good to hear others have found them helpful … I to couldn’t cross the road without a crossing as u has no idea of speed of cars ans how slow I walked … I’m ok in traffic speed and walk a lot faster but still can’t walk and turn my head to the side .. I can only turn my head if I’m standing still or seated .. Sue 😁

[Leaf100]

Hi Sue,

I used a 4 wheel walker . It gave me feedback when I tried to veer - and I did. And if I was losing my balance I could feel that as well.

In my case I used to tremor a lot as well, and I found with the walker the social stigma was less - tremor with a walker and people thi k you've got Parkinsons or something- tremor without one and they see 'drug addict'. Though I guess that depends where you live.

I don't need to use one all the time anymore, just in certain circumstances. I don't think I would have made the process I did without the feedback it gave me.

Even better was pushing my Mom around in a wheelchair, the extra weight made the feedback even more solid somehow. Now I know it's not easy to find someone to push around and you may not be able to.

Here you can get a physio to sign you need a 4 wheeled walker and the red cross will lend you one.

Don't forget you can also mention you get fatigue quickly and need a place to sit down where ever you are.

Anyway, test out and see what options work for you.

I do understand there is a mental hurdle to get over with using a walker. It worked wonders for me.

I am going to try the walking poles at some point as I feel now I might be able to figure that out.

Leaf

[Teazymaid in reply to Leaf100]

I do find tescos with the trolley and a flat floor the best to walk around . Not the most exciting place 🤪 I was walking a lot more but in the last 8 \9 months my hip have started hurting alot alone with the other leg originally hamstring ruptured . My mobility as in pain wise is alot worse . I know I walked into my husband or hedges but didn’t realise I never looked down the street until recently or that I had to stop to look to the sides … them used my mums rolateer because I was taking it to her and things just started me realising how I was walking and I didn’t really know what I was doing … looking forward to seeing the physio this week and like lots of you have said on here that you have used aids to help with balance and walking Sue 😊

[Leaf100 in reply to Teazymaid]

Yes, it is what works for you, and the physio definitely can help get whatever aid set up for you properly - both height adjustments and how to use them properly.So glad you are going.