So you think you are getting old....NOT!

By : Walking Cane

“Carrying a Walking Cane…..Do I look Old?”
Well, the fact is we all grow older each day. But do we have to look “old” just because we may not have quite the strength or mobility as younger days? I think not….especially when it comes to needing a little bit of mobility assistance. Walking Canes have been around since the beginning of time. The walking stick or "cane" has long held a place in man's history, its roots leading back to the "big stick" wielded by prehistoric man as a weapon of both self-defense and aggression. Ancient Egyptians and Greeks represented their rulers and gods carrying staffs which symbolized authority. These staffs became the scepters of kings during the Middle Ages.
The walking cane as an “accessory to dress” saw its origins in the 11th century in what is now France. Women there carried slender sticks made of apple wood. It was not until the end of the 15th century, however, that the walking cane was adopted as a general accessory to dress, this time as a masculine rather than feminine fashion.

During the late 17th century, walking canes usually were trimmed with ribbons at the handle. A loop of ribbon was slipped over the wrist for ease in carrying similar to our current wrist straps. The distinction between walking sticks and canes is drawn by materials. Sticks were made of ivory, whalebone, ebony and various valuable woods. Canes were made of Malacca (rattan), bamboo and other types of sturdy reed plants. As the Century’s slipped by, styles continued to change. In addition to the usual woods, we are now using many unique exotic woods, such as Wenge, Zebrano, Afromosia, etc. coupled with acrylic handles that make up the beautiful designs and prints for today’s walking cane fashion look.

Modern walking canes are designed for specific needs. Lighter canes are used for mobility and stability, while the heavy duty canes are used for more weight bearing. Hemiplegic and balance impaired persons use the walking cane to give them a better sense of the vertical position, thereby lessening vertigo. Without the stick, it is easy to walk at an angle, and perhaps not move in a straight line. The stick is held in the stronger hand.
Muscle weakened persons (with reduced strength or nerve action) need a stronger weight-bearing stick to take some of the load normally used by the afflicted leg. Walking Canes are generally used in the hand opposite the injury or weakness. This may appear counter-intuitive, but this allows the cane to be used for stability in a way that lets the user shift much of their weight onto the cane and away from their weaker side as they walk.

So just because your Doctor says you need a walking cane, try to think of it as a “fashion accessory.” When you carry a unique cane, you will be surprised how many people will stop you and ask, “where did you get it?” The reason for their question is the fact there are so very few retail stores that carry high-fashion walking canes. Most medical supply stores offer only the medicinal looking aluminum canes, which are not very attractive.
The next time you need a little “boost” in the mobility assistance department, why not carry a “Mad Hatter” or a “Rapper”…..carrying a walking cane “does not mean looking old” but rather you are with today’s styles!
So go ahead! Look smart while walking. Visit www.thewalkingcanestore.com
to see hundreds of stylish walking canes with low prices. And always, “Walk with Style!”