Exertstrider Walking Poles

I read the "how this works" page and certainly wasn't attracted to the notion of contracting my abs as I walk. Because it doesn't feel the same to me (I did the little desktop exercise as well). And you cannot "tighten flab" but I assume this is your phrase. Arm movements that are most compatible with WW posture are swinging the arms or doing the flapping movements to the side. So my initial (admittedly lay) opinion is......not sure. Why have you fallen 7 times and why do you think these would make you more stable than simply swinging your arms would? Whole Woman posture makes for very stable walking - Surviving

I guess I've been around here too long not to be instantly suspicious of any product that aims to strengthen my "core". There is no reason to believe these guys understand the female "core" any better than anyone else out there who is pushing fitness gear. When I walk, I don't want anything interfering with the WW dynamics that are hard at work with each step. That being said, if you are truly saying this is an alternative to a walker for you, I guess that's a different story. I've seen too many women hunched over those things. I don't plan to be one of them, which is why I'm a posture fanatic. I really don't know the answer to your question, obviously. - Surviving

Was curious, so looked up these walking poles. They do look a lot like the hiking poles my hubby bought us, except for the bottom, of course. We like to go hiking in some rocky terrine sometimes, so he got us those for stability going up and down the steeper hills. I have only been using one pole, trying to get used to using them. I know when we are out in the woods, I have to be a bit more conscious of my posture, because I find myself leaning forward, so I am adjusting and thinking posture more than my sidewalk walking.
My hubby loves the poles. I have a bum shoulder, so that is why I only like to use one.
I think it is like anything else, if you can maintain whole woman posture, go for it. More and more I have been testing my limits to see how far I can push my prolapse. Doesn't always work, but I have found I can do most things I did before, except heavy lifting. Will never do that again...
Hope these poles work for you, so you can maintain your stability and independence, and, of course posture. Wish you well!

Oh, yes, have to ask: are they adjustable? Our hiking poles are adjustable, so I was thinking if you could adjust them to your height, you could maintain the posture better while walking with them. Just a thought...

From watching the demonstration of these poles, it appears to me that the person is leaning foward too far. Like I said, I only use the hiking pole in the woods for stability on hills. I don't tighten my abs to walk, and I am wondering if it is really necessary to follow that protocol or just to simply change it to a whole woman way of walking with poles.
I actually plan on trying cross country skiing again this year, providing we get enough snow for it, and I know that can be more of a leaning forward position also. But, I want to do it, and will try my best to maintain the posture. I don't want to give anything up, but I also don't want to worsen my prolapse. Have worked too hard to get to a good place with it right now.
I think all we can do is try our best with every new thing with prolapse.

Hi Free2be

Now you have a little feedback I would suggest that you give them a try. As much as anything you will have another one or two points of contact with the ground if you do lose your balance, or your ankle 'goes' on you. Every now and then one of my ankles 'goes' on me, a result of school age hurdling and netball injuries, which were in those days treated with heat and compression. Mine wobble around all over the place with my damaged ankle ligaments. Going barefoot, or close to it, seems to work best for me. I have better awareness of where my balance is with nothing on my feet, particularly my heels.

If you use them as directed you probably will be too far forward but if you can keep your belly relaxed as you walk, your prolapses will have a nice cosy spot on your lower abdominal wall. You will feel it if it aggravates your symptoms. Just tweak the technique so you get the extra support without getting out of WW posture. In addition you have the use of your hands without losing the grip on your poles, via the wrist straps, so you can put your hand out for something more stable if you are challenging yourself.

Yes, they do seem to make humans into quadrupeds, and disperse the loads on the legs, which would give your abdominal muscles and arms a workout. Remember that climbing with the assistance of hands, arms and upper body is a legitimate human quadrupedal activity. You be the judge of how you can best use them. Please report back, for the benefit of others.

Stability of balance is affected by many factors.

- Confidence, re your caution about your ankle failing you,
- Using all the features of our Z shaped lower body, ie ankles, knees and hips. The stability of our hip joints, particularly the muscles that extend the leg back, those that carry it up to the side, and those that externally rotate the hip. These get less work, and become much weaker and often tighter any time we start to spend less time on our feet, moving around, especially if we spend a lot of time sitting. Our abdominal muscles become weaker too.
- Using all the features of our snakelike upper body, ie spine, arms and head, which are invaluable. If your arms are busy with your poles they are not available for putting out to the sides, or forward or back, or up, as Surviving commented.

If using the poles will get you walking more, and you are in control of how you use them, that will give you more confidence to do more walking. That is an excellent outcome to work towards for many aspects of your overall health, including POP. Once you are stronger you may not need them as much. Go for it.

Louise

I just wanted to add something about walkers. When I was working in the nursing homes, the physical therapist taught us to teach people to walk up with the walker in a straighter position rather than leaning over on them and dragging behind. They are meant as a support for balance when a person starts to lose it. The person is actually suppose to do the walking without leaning on it. I know too many people tended to lean on them too much and walk too fast pushing it way ahead of them.
The newer rolling walkers also have seats on them should the person get tired and need a rest.
But, walkers with wheels are not good for those with really bad balance issues, because they can fall over more easily.
Sadly, when a person does lose too much strength, they end up in a wheel chair, so I think keeping your strength as long as you can is a good thing. I remember over 100 year old people walking around just fine on their own. Hope I can be one of them!

I watched a video of the original inventor. The poles keep the arms high and out in front of the body, they can't swing back past your body as you walk. He actually looks like he's leaning forward and tucking his butt in order to keep these arms high and out in front. In fact, as he demonstrates the difference between walking with arms swinging, and walking with poles, you can actually see the butt tuck. This looks like it would create so much belly tension, which I think is one of the supposedly selling points of this type of walking......OK if you're a guy!

Free2be, I know that you already have these poles and you want to use them and you will use them. I am not a practitioner but only a person with a few years of hard posture work under my belt. Walking with arms held out in front changes your center of gravity. It isn't conducive to keeping the torso properly seated over the hips. If you try it and it makes you feel more stable and less likely to fall, then in your case that would be a good thing. As for the effect on your prolapse work, I guess you'll have to judge for yourself and report back. - Surviving

Aging Gracefully, my mom is a perfect example of what you are talking about. Her fear of falling is so acute that she will only walk hunched over her walker with the walker itself way out in front. I remind her to straighten up and to stay closer to the walker. When she does this, she looks and moves like a person 20 years younger than she is. This lasts maybe 10 seconds, then she is all bent over again. - Surviving

hi all,

after my stroke, my balance was affected and for several months i used two hiking sticks when going on walks with christine or going out anywhere. they are very helpful. the one's you describe are hardly unique. many companies make similar ones. mine are made by leki. christine encourages her clients with hip issues to use one. i would have the following comments:

1) adjustable sticks are essential. experiment until you find the right height for you that provides the most stability when you need it and a comfortable angle for the arms. i would also be sure that the sticks you buy have a shock absorber built in. if you are on pavement or a hard surface, you will appreciate the comfort of the sticks absorbing the strike rather than your hands, wrists and arms. of course you will want rubber tips unless you are hiking on dirt or rock.

2) you want poles with a good ergonomic grip, and most importantly, a wide, comfortable strap. the strap will do more of the support than your hand grip. some companies make sticks especially for women with a smaller hand grip, better suited for a woman's hand.

3) use them only for catching yourself if you lose balance. you are not a quadruped. make your body do the work of supporting yourself in the whole woman posture. the sticks are for safety.

4) there is probably some upper body benefit to using them. you can use them to help propel yourself forward, but i wouldn't get caught up in using them for exercise. you should be suspicious of anyone selling "core" strength. be aware that you'll get a range of comments about your passion for cross country skiing when it's 90 degrees out and you're hiking around with your poles.

In the US, REI has a good assortment. a quick search online will give you a feel for the range of options available.

i hope this helps.

all the best ladies,

lanny (the official whole woman husband)

to hear from the 'official whole woman husband'

:-)
w2k

I am glad you are back and helping all of us!
Thank you for your advise, I am also having to be careful with my stability since the Vertigo episode and I have been thinking of getting poles to go for a walk before the snow and ice arrive, I thought that the wrist straps were dangerous and your advise is great!
I am already 1 year without pain Thanks to our dear Christine!!!
I thank you both from my heart for your generosity!
Solita.

Free2Be, let us know what you decide. I love to walk and have been considering adding Nordic walking to my activities which uses poles for stability. Just in the research stage at this point but to learn to use the poles that Nordic walking requires, one is to practice swinging arms first, then carry the poles parallel to the ground to get used to the weight and gradually start swinging the arms and placing the poles on the ground - more for stability than for leaning on. Which fits with the instructions the medical community gives to people who need to use canes and crutches...you are not to lean on them but use them for balance. Proper height as important as is instruction on how to use them. If your provider is recommending them, s/he should be able to deomonstrate and instruct how to use them or refer you to a pt or someone who can.

After reading the discussion here, I see that I need to compare the information I have on Nordic walking with the suggestions for posture that Christine makes before I start a new activity.

I don't consider myself a fall risk yet (although I'm very conscious of watching myself). Posture makes me feel tremendously stable on my feet. HOWEVER, my ability to balance on one foot is very poor. Christine put a wonderful article and little mini-exercise video on the blog last year to help us understand the importance of developing better balance. Just go over to the Blog and enter "balance" in the search box (right side of the screen) - it's called "Balance, the 6th Sense". I should do this series every day (but of course, I don't). - Surviving