How to Use a Walking Stick

Walking sticks are a valuable mobility aid that helps stabilise the body.

Typically, they are constructed with aluminium or reinforced plastic to achieve a lightweight yet robust feel. Anyone can use one: whether recovering from an injury or suffering from reduced balance, this mobility aid makes everyday life easier.

Here at Millercare, we stock a vast range of ergonomic, durable and high-quality walking sticks for all your mobility needs. But before you choose your product, you must know how to use a walking stick.

Stay with Millercare as we give you a step-by-step guide on how to use a walking stick, with tips and precautions to get you on your feet.

Tips for using a walking stick

Walking sticks can boost your stability and confidence: there’s no doubt about it! Anyone of any age can pick up a walking aid and use it whenever they feel uncertain or need extra support for their joints.

Knowing how to use a walking stick with the proper technique can make their benefits even more apparent. For example, you may feel relief in your hips, knees and back because you have redistributed weight to your upper body.

So before you dive straight in, take note of Millercare’s four main tips for using a walking stick.

Maintain good posture

Straighten your back comfortably: this will help keep your centre of gravity close to your body. Leaning too far to the side or too far forward may impact your balance and cause instability.

Use your stick with your stronger side

It is a misconception that you must use your walking stick on the weakest side of your body.

You should hold your walking stick on your strongest side to support the unsteady side: this will redistribute some of the weight and make walking more straightforward and less painful.

Get the correct size

Choosing the right size walking stick is just as essential as how you use it! A walking stick that is too short will cause you to round your back and create strain. A walking stick that is too tall for your body may cause injury to your shoulders.

That’s why the handle of your walking stick should be level to the bone in your wrist. Keep your arms at your side and place the walking stick next to you to check this. Before long, your arms, shoulders and wrists should feel relief from pressure.

Choose the correct grip

Using a walking stick requires more of your hand and wrist than you might think! That’s why you must choose an aid with the most appropriate grip. For example, at Millercare, we stock left or right-handed sticks and models with ergonomic handles.

If you have arthritis or joint pain, an ergonomic handle will make gripping your stick less of a challenge. You’ll also avoid pain and numbness in the hands, wrists and fingers of your more dominant hand.

How to use a walking stick

Now that we’ve established the main tips for using a walking stick, how do you use one?

If you’re a beginner, consult the following steps:

Hold your cane in the hand of your stronger side.
Move your walking stick to the side, away from your body, and a little in front of your feet.
Take a step forward on the foot of your weaker side and move your walking stick alongside it, mimicking the natural movement of the arms.
Keep your stick steady as you step forward with your dominant foot and repeat.

You mightn’t feel comfortable immediately, so ensure that you get some practice before taking it out for a test run! Learning how to use a walking stick is all about feeling confident and stable, and this process may be quick for some and longer for others.

Don’t give up!

Whilst Climbing Stairs

How can your walking stick support you if you need to climb stairs?

First, you’ll need to hold the handrail. Steady yourself, and then place your strong leg onto the first step. Then, take another step with your affected leg and walking stick. When you need to descend, put your walking stick on the lower step first while holding the handrail.

Step down with your weaker leg, followed by the other.

Before Sitting

If you’re using your walking stick to travel inside your home, you’ll need to learn how to use it before sitting. Position yourself so that the backs of your legs touch the chair seat. With one hand on the armrest and the other on your cane, lower yourself into a seated position.

Choose Millercare for premium walking sticks!

Now you know how to use a walking stick, why not get one for yourself? Millercare offers a wide variety of products for you to choose from, including folding walking sticks, right-hand or left-hand sticks and those with comfortable ergonomic handles.

Personalise your mobility aid and choose any of the beautiful colours in stock. At Millercare, we want to elevate your confidence and increase your independence with our range of premium walking sticks.