The result of study was that forty nine (49%) of OA patients owned a walking aid. The aids they most frequently possess vary – from canes, forearm crutches, walkers and orthopedic footwear. Age and disability were factors associated with their possession of walking aids. Meanwhile, in group with rheumatoid arthritis, factors associated with their possession of walking aids are age, education, frequency of pain and disability.

Approximately 30% of patients do not use their walking aids. The actual use of an aid were determined by higher age, a high intensity of pain, more disability, decrease in morning stiffness by aid, and a positive evaluation of aid.

As far as medical investigation’s findings are concerned, almost half of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis possess walking aids. The need for walking aids was determined because of following common factors: disability, pain and age-related impairments. Those who do not use walking aids were mostly because of less need for it, negative outcome and negative evaluation of walking aid.

This medical investigation shows that most individuals with RA or OA, will, depending on several determinants, sooner or later, are going to need walking aids for support. It would also help to come up with new walking aid models that would particularly address needs of individuals with RA or OA. -30-

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Kay Zetkin discovered the pleasure of writing through her daily journals as a teen-ager. Writing in it helped sort out her thoughts, relieve her feelings and record what she observes of the world.

In fact, it is said that those who practice T’ai Chi, young or old, sick or well have restored flexibility of their joints, relaxed muscles and their bodies gain true alignment with gravity. They develop flexibility of a child, strength of a lumberjack and wisdom of a sage.

Professor Cheng Man ch’ing, late and well known Grand Master of T’ai Chi Chuan have recognized that benefits of T’ai Chi should be spread throughout. As such, he worked on distilling essence of T’ai Chi Chuan. He came up with “The Eight Ways of T’ai Chi Chuan”. Each of movement in eight ways work on three major problems faced by aging or sick: loss of equilibrium, stiffness of joints and weakness of muscles and fear of falling and injury. The eight ways work on maintaining stability of legs, since adage that individual has health as long as he or she has legs is an important element of truth. Once use of legs is lost, health may fail dramatically, too.

You could enroll in a nearby health center or schools offering “The Eight Ways of T’ai Chi Chuan”. Once you rediscover power of your legs and eventually overcome its frailties, you might also come to stop investing lots of money on walking aids and other such devices. -30-

For comments and inquiries about article visit http://www.walkingaidsplus.com/

Kay Zetkin discovered the pleasure of writing through her daily journals as a teen-ager. Writing in it helped sort out her thoughts, relieve her feelings and record what she observes of the world.