When to Use Walking AidsWritten by Kay Zetkin
There are many factors that contribute to possession and use of walking aids. From childhood, almost all of us have been in a situation wherein we have needed and relied on walking aids, at certain times in our lives and during certain periods of time. Several factors may be due to leg injuries and bone dislocations that resulted from accidents, sports-related injuries and even those as simple as sprains. Some people also possess and use walking aids due to acquiring diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, which primarily affect bones. These factors became apparent when Center for Rehabilitation and Rheumatology at Amsterdam, The Netherlands spearheaded conduct of a medical investigation on possession and use of walking aids among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA). The medical investigation was also conducted in order to identify factors contributing to possession and actual use of walking aids. Method of investigation induced was through a random sampling of 640 patients with RA or OA. They derived this number from a database of 6,500 registered patients. A standard questionnaire sheets on possession and use of walking aids were released to patients for answering. Overall, 410 or 64% of target 640 patients completed said questionnaire. Among 410 patients, 223 have RA and 87 have OA. The assessment on demographics, disease-related characteristics and information about possession and use of walking aids was completed as based on patients’ answers. In determining which factors are associated with possession and use of walking aids, logistic regression analyses were used.
| | Retain Walking Stability through Tai Chi Written by Kay Zetkin
All of us were born, as very young children, with our body, mind and emotions functioning together without strain. At birth, our baby joints are open – there are spaces between each bone at joints. These spaces permit passage through birth canal. However, as soon as we begin to accumulate tensions, our naturally straight, flexible and balanced bodies when we were young children, goes through a process of deterioration. Deterioration happens through tightening of joints, stiffening of body and losing mobility. In Chinese, this deterioration means that our “chi” or flow of blood and energy in our bodies become blocked. Gradually, this blockage develops into diseases – ultimately resulting to death…tsk…tsk…However, before you say, “but that’s way of life” … think again. Instead of seeing ourselves waste away, losing stability to walk properly and losing strength of our bones to support us, we could really declare, “never say die!” and we could really sustain our strengths for walking stability through natural methods. How? The answer lies on Ancient Chinese view of health. They practice a system of exercise based on principles of yin and yang or simply by having body be in harmony with laws of nature called T’ai Chi Chuan. Through gentle, flowing movements of T’ai Chi, body and joints relax and loosen, thereby stimulating circulation, building stability in legs and developing an awareness of internal strength. Older people practicing T’ai Chi achieve more grace in walking, surer balance and greater confidence in moving, as if process of aging can be reversed.
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