Promoting Balance & Finding Your Stride with Urban Poling
Arthritis Disease
The condition is characterized by swelling and tenderness in one or more joints.
Arthritis is characterized by joint pain and stiffness, which worsens with age. In general, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most prevalent types of arthritis.
Consider the Activator® Poles – Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition which attacks your own body’s tissues. Symptoms include tender, warm, swollen joints, and joint stiffness that is usually worse in the mornings and after inactivity.
This form of arthritis often affects smaller joints first such as those in your hands. That is why our ergonomic CoreGrip handles are excellent for arthritic hands, they only require an easy grip. The ACTIVATOR® poles also off-load lower extremity joints while you walk which encourages more physical activity for a longer period of time.
Hear from one of our clients who have rheumatoid arthritis and uses our ACTIVATOR® poles.
“I have rheumatoid arthritis, and while I walk just fine, I struggle to rise from a kneeling position. After a recent fall in my driveway attempting to straighten up from a bent position, I decided it would be best to have a device to assist me. Because the arthritis affects my wrists, I wanted something that would not depend on grip strength. These fit the bill. The design of the handle takes the pressure off my wrists, and I can hold the poles with a loose grip. Using both poles, I rise with ease and stability and with no knee pain. I also hike, and I plan to use these for steep climbing. It is easy to adjust the height of the poles, and they appear well-made.”
The Arthritis Foundation Article Why Try Nordic Walking can give you information about how helpful the use of poles can be (you can find it here).
There are 60 million people in North America alone who have arthritis. That’s nearly a quarter of the adult population! Research shows that urban poling is an excellent way for your clients to take a load off hips/knees and helps manage your weight to relieve those aching joints while walking. We are honoured that our ACTIVATOR® Poles are certified by the American Arthritis Foundation’s Walk with Ease Program.
Benefits include:
- Provides both aerobic and resistance training
- Improved posture
- Increased core strength
- Keep cartilage healthy
- Reduced impact on lower joint extremities
- Increased independence in daily activities
- Improved overall send of wellbeing
- Improved mood, self-esteem, and social interaction
- Manage your weight
The Activator® Poles allow me to be mobile and without pain by taking the pressure of my joints. My gait is steadier, and I feel confident that I won't fall. Now that I am able to be more active, I am starting to lose weight. The Activator® Poles are giving me a new comfortable and a promising lease on life.
Go Outdoors with 4 points of contact!
Outdoor walking engages more muscles, which increases blood flow to joints and other tissues, says Colleen Louw, PT, spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association. It can also be more social than walking inside on a treadmill, adds Louw, who is also a co-founder of the International Spine and Pain Institute. “Social interaction can have a positive impact on walking longer and decreasing pain,” she says.
But outdoor walking can also require you to walk on uneven sidewalks or terrain that could increase your risk of slipping or falling, therefore having four points of contact with your Activator® Poles will provide you with the necessary stability and balance to explore the outdoors, so make sure you pick a path that you know is safe for you.
