I've been trying to go out walking to help loosen up my lower back and to try to get back in shape. I noticed, however, that I'm walking like an old lady...slow, back feels real tight and I think I saw a snail pass me by

I told my family dr. about walking so slow and being so sore, and he told me to use a cane. I looked at him like he was crazy. He then went on to tell me how canes are really supposed to be used. He said not to think about an old person using it as they use it to heavily lean on. He said the real way to use one is to lightly touch the ground with it, that it's really only helping with balance, it's not for weight bearing.

He also talked about the importance of having a cane that's the right height for you. It should be tall enough that when you stand up and start to use it that there's a slight bend in your elbow.

So, I got an old cane that seemed to fit and went out walking with it, with a rather doubtful attitude. However, I was amazed at how much it really helped me. I noticed my stride was greater, I was feeling looser in my lower back and my husband said I wasn't walking as slow anymore. I was able to go from hobbling along a quarter of a mile, to actually walking pretty decent for almost a mile!!

I'm a believer now and use it whenever I go out for my walks. My dr. said not to use it around the house but when I go out for walks. He says it won't be permanent, just for the next 2-3 months. He wants me to work up to walking 2 miles by the end of 3 months. So, if you find that you can't walk as good as you want to, give a cane a try.

Thanks Fiona thats a good one to note. I go walking everyday. I was always one for walking before this darn back gave up. I used to walk before I went to work in the morning and then when I came home in the pm and again in the evening. I used to cover between 6/8 miles per day. So you can imagine how I felt when I was 'trapped' and couldnt get out. I have started back walking again in the past 3/4 weeks. At first I was like that old lady you spoke of, however, I didnt get a cane but just pushed through it and kept going. I turned my stim up HIGH one of the days and boy was I sore, I could hardly move, so I realised thats not the right idea. So now I have it on, well, medium I suppose, but I dont get a lot of relief. Dunno if I ever will in my back I have three little West Highland White Westies. They were so used to be taken out each day and really missed while I have been getting better since my surgery. SO........finally during last week I brought out our smallest guy for a walk, he has a dodgy hip so you can get the picture. I felt GREAT to be out with him. So now I am progressing every day and I have brought out the dogs one at a time. So Im doing 3 rounds of the green across the road from where I live, which would be possibly 3/4 of a mile maybe. But I love it and LOVE being out.
So if as Fiona says you are not that fit to be out walking , get that cane.......its amazing how you clear your head once your out and about. I do all my thinking then and boy does it feel good

oooops Just read back my last post.

In case your wondering what West Highland White Westies are!!! DUH JACKIE!!!!!....that should read, West Highland White Terriers.......dogs thats is

A cane AND a west highland white WESTIE!!

Seriously, the CANE! Thank you for that Fiona!
DANG I really wish I woulda got one when I was in the notorious 'store' in a city closeby......it's actually a 'head shop' in which BillyBob Thornton has been known to frequent!
Anyway, they have ALLLL kinds of really cooool authentic stuff - including walking CANES!! DANG DANG DANG. I even walked over and was impressed with them and now I wish I would have got one......

Mental note to self : hang out in head shops more

Thank you, Fiona! Yep, I have been a cane user for the balance issue since long before the stim surgery. With peripheral neuropathy, the result of real nerve damage [Darn] I have found the cane use for balance to be a must. I have a couple, each adjustable, so I can adjust to my height and away I go!

Yep,
Good Call,
Mark56

How come he said not to use it in the house? I don't quite understand the reason for that statement. I haven't had the surgery yet (but my trial is this month). I am so incredibly unstable anyway because of the polyneuropathy... but since I am completely bedridden (with the exception of doctor appointments, which I bring my wheelchair for)... there would apparently be no reason for me to ever use a cane. I can't figure out why a person could use it outside but it's not recommended for inside?

He just wants me to use it temporarily when I'm out walking, trying to stretch my back and loosen things up. I'm guessing his reasoning is that in my house I don't need to be using it as I'm just walking around at my usual, post-surgery pace. We were talking about my getting out and walking on the bike trail and how when I did it was difficult, slow and I noticed my stride wasn't my usual stride. He felt it would help me when I was out and about, walking a distance (ie, bike trail, walking around the mall). For someone with other health issues, a cane may be a daily need, even in the house, but for me it's a temporary crutch (pun intended )

Hi Fiona-

I am so glad you are making use of your temporary cane as you see the need. For me it varies on how I feel outside for sure. Steadiness is the issue and that is my thing due to lingering peripheral neuropathy which prevents me feeling my stride, the ground, and such.

Your friend in canes,
Mark56

Well, the cane didn't last long
While it helped me walk better, it got my shoulder very sore, even though I wasn't putting any weight on it. Flared up my muscle condition, unfortunately. But still a good tip to know.