A walking cane or walking stick can be used to assist mobility for many different types of people.
It can be to help maintain balance in the elderly, and to address the symptoms of conditions such as arthritis, stroke, or Parkinson's Disease.
Using a walking cane should be a natural and simple thing to do but many people get tangled up trying to use one.
This is not helped by popular television programs such as "House, M.
D.
" where Hugh Laurie does an excellent job using his walking cane on the wrong side.
A walking can should be used on the opposite side to the affected leg.
House has Right leg pain but uses his stick in his right hand.
This creates an unnatural gait pattern that lurches and pivots around the cane.
The correct use of a walking can sees it in the other hand and the arms alternating with legs, similar to a marching style.
This leads to a much more normal walking pattern and a significant reduction in weight taken through the affected side.
Other benefits include a more symmetrical gait pattern that causes less aggravation to the lumbar spine.
  With practice, the use of a cane becomes normal even when negotiating stairs.
The majority of stairs only have one rail within reach.
In this case it does not matter which leg is affected.
The rail is used and the cane goes in the opposite hand.
If you are unable to climb stairs with one foot after the other, lead with the good leg.
The opposite applies when descending.
The saying to remember this is: "The good go to Heaven, the bad go to Hell.
"