I have always been in pretty good health, so I was surprised one day when my doctor told me my blood pressure was a bit high. She told me to begin watching my salt intake, start exercising, and to try to relax. Well, I intended to follow her advice when I left her office, but the next day I was back to my same habits. I kept using the salt shaker and didn't begin an exercise routine like I had planned. When I went for my next check-up, she told me that my blood pressure was even higher and approaching a dangerous level. I had to begin a blood pressure medication to manage it. I wanted to create a blog to share my story and remind people to listen to their doctors' advice. If a few lifestyle changes can improve your health, then you should make them.
If you have recently undergone a knee surgery, or if you have broken your leg, then you probably need a mobility device to help you move around. Crutches are one of the cheapest and easiest devices you can use, but you may find it difficult to use the crutches at first. This may mean that you end up tripping or falling. This can cause a new injury, or your existing condition may be worsened by the fall. Follow the tips below if you want to be secure and safe when using your crutches.
Invest in New Crutch Tips
Most crutches come with rubber tips that provide basic cushioning and grip as your crutches are moved across the ground. These tips are made from a styrene butadiene material that helps the tips resist aging and abrasion. The rubber is quite hard as well, and this helps to support your weight properly. Unfortunately, standard crutch tips are both rigid and smooth. This can make your crutches quite slippery if you need to use them in damp, icy, or snowy weather. If this is the case, then consider purchasing replacement tips to place on the end of your crutches.
Replacement crutch tips can be found at mobility aid stores, and you should look for anti-slip tips. These tips are sometimes marketed for use in the rain and they feature flat and textured ends that help the rain move through special channels. The tips can be slipped on to the ends of your crutches once the old tips are removed. If the tips seem loose, then wrap a small amount of medical tape around the wooden ends until the tips sit firmly in place.
Wear Good Shoes
Crutches help to provide balance and mobility when you can only walk on one foot, but the crutches alone will not keep you upright if you wear slick shoes when you move around. Shoes with thin soles and footwear with shallow treads and plastic constructions will not grip the ground properly. If you wear shoes like this, then consider investing in a good pair of sneakers.
Purchasing Sneakers
When you look for new sneakers, find ones with flexible soles. This allows your foot to place pressure on the shoe so it can better grip the road or floor underneath. The soles should feature deep grooves or treads as well. Circle patterns or long wavy grooves are best, because they allow water to flow freely underneath the sole. Make sure to stay away from triangle, hexagon, or square sole shapes, because this can cause the shoe to hydroplane over wet surfaces.
Once you find a good pair of sneakers, make sure to adjust the height of your crutches accordingly. The thick shoe soles may require you to elongate the crutches a small amount. If you do not do this, then you may trip as your shoe hits the ground before the crutches do.
Use a Backpack
If you want to use your crutches to go shopping, then you may consider bringing a large purse or a shoulder bag with your to carry your items. This is necessary, because your hands will not be free to carry shopping bags. Unfortunately, these types of accessories increase the weight on one side of your body. This can result in decreased balance and equilibrium difficulties.
If you need to shop or carry belongings with you, then consider wearing a backpack instead. Invest in a product with one to two inch wide straps that will distribute weight better across your body. Bags with waist or chest straps can help keep weight even as well. Also, find a backpack that does not extend past the length of your torso so you can maneuver your body properly.
If you need to use crutches for a short period of time, then you should make sure that you are stable when using them. This will help to prevent falls and new injury concerns. If these tips aren't enough to keep you steady on your crutches, you may need to look into mobile scooters or other mobility aids. Go to http://www.twincitystairlifts.com to learn more.
Share5 March 2015
