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Nifty Walking Aids Could Prevent Nasty Falls This Winter
It’s hard to face the reality that winter is around the corner when it is still above 20ºC at the end of October, but we need to start preparing for the snow and ice and how to protect ourselves from falling on slippery sidewalks and roads. Weather wise, last winter was a particularly harsh one here, which often resulted in treacherous walking conditions. This winter the Canadian Physiotherapy Association is recommending Canadians get proactive before winter sets in and consider purchasing accessories and walking aids that could prevent a fall.
There are several innovative devices on the market that are both easy to use and effective. One of them is the YakTrax. Inspired by the Tibetan yak, this product has tubes and steel coils that wrap right around your boots or shoes. The YakTrax functions somewhat like a tire chain to provide traction and stability on packed snow or ice. While there is no guarantee it will prevent you from slipping on ice or snow, the YakTrax is considered one of the best products on the market for winter walking. The YakTrax Pro is more sturdy and suitable for running.
Another product that may help you safely navigate icy sidewalks is a walking stick or cane with an ice grip on it. There are several different types of ice grips on the market; some are retractable, others are studded. If you happen to be on crutches, ice grips are extremely helpful in keeping you upright.
If you are elderly, disabled, or have recently suffered an injury you will probably need to invest in a good quality walking aid. As well as reducing the risk of falls, a walking aid can decrease the effort and energy required to walk, decrease the weight on an injured, fragile, or weak leg, and compensate for a lack of balance. This is especially important in winter when inclement weather makes coping with an injury or disability especially challenging. The Canadian Physiotherapy Association has recently published an information sheet on walking aids. It will provide you with details on everything you need to know about walking aides and how to use them.
While accessories and walking aids are a great way to help prevent a fall in winter, don’t under estimate the effectiveness of a good winter boot. Make sure your winter boots have good treads.
Rather than relying solely on external aids to keep you safe, why not improve your body’s ability to cope with changing surfaces. There are numerous very simple exercises you can perform on a daily basis to improve your reaction time, balance and reflexes to reduce the risk of a fall. Physiotherapists not only treat injuries, they also teach you how to prevent the onset of pain or injury which can limit your activity.
If you do fall and injure yourself this winter, consult your physiotherapist. Physiotherapists help people of all ages and lifestyles gain and maintain their desired level of active living and physical mobility. With their applied knowledge and understanding of the human body in action, physiotherapists are able to help you to increase your mobility, relieve pain, build strength, and improve balance and cardiovascular function. The YakTrax, YakTrax Pro and the ice grip are available at Bragg Creek Physiotherapy. Drop by to have a look.
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