Living with chronic pain can be a daily challenge that affects every aspect of your life. One of the most difficult consequences of chronic pain is decreased mobility. Pain can make it hard to move around and do the things you need to do, like shopping, cooking, or even just walking around the house. Fortunately, there are mobility aids and products that can help you manage your pain and improve your quality of life.
Considerations for Using a Mobility Device for Chronic Pain
- Everybody is different and has their own pain tolerance and lifestyle. However, here a few considerations you may want to take into account when deciding if it’s time to choose a mobility device for pain.
- Mobility needs. Before choosing a mobility device, it’s important to assess your mobility needs and limitations. This can help you determine the type of device that would be most beneficial for you.
- Physical ability:.It’s important to consider your physical abilities and limitations before using a mobility device.
- Home environment: Consider the layout of your home and whether a mobility device would be practical. For example, if you have narrow doorways or tight spaces, a larger device like a wheelchair or scooter might not be a good fit.
- Lifestyle: Think about your lifestyle and how a mobility device might fit into it. For example, if you enjoy spending time outdoors, a scooter or powerchair might be a good choice.
Types of Mobility Devices
When your pain becomes an impairment on your life and limits your mobility, it may be time to consider using a mobility device. Mobility devices can help you maintain your independence and improve your quality of life. Here are some types of mobility devices that might be helpful for chronic pain sufferers.
Knee Walkers or Knee Scooters
Knee walkers or knee scooters are mobility aids that can be helpful for people experiencing chronic pain in one leg below the knee or ankle. When you use a knee walker, you rest your injured leg on a padded platform and use your other leg to push the scooter forward. This helps you keep an upright posture while allowing you to move around without putting weight on the injured leg.
Knee walkers can be especially useful for people who have just undergone surgery on their foot or ankle or have a fracture or sprain that requires them to stay off their feet. They can help with mobility and independence while still allowing the affected area to heal. Knee walkers are also useful for people who have arthritis or other chronic conditions that make it painful to put weight on their lower legs and feet.
Using a knee walker can help reduce pain by taking the weight and pressure off the injured area. This can also help prevent further damage or strain to the affected area by reducing the amount of stress placed on it. Additionally, knee walkers are designed to allow you to move around easily and comfortably, making it easier to perform daily activities and maintain a sense of independence. Many knee walkers also come with baskets to help you carry items.
Canes
A cane can be a good option for a mobility aid if one side of the body is weaker than the other. Using a cane can provide stability and promote balance. It can help reduce the strain on the weaker side of the body and improve posture. A cane can also help relieve pain and pressure on the joints by redistributing the weight of the body. Additionally, canes are relatively inexpensive and easy to use, making them a convenient option for people with chronic pain who need some assistance with mobility.
Here is a further breakdown of how a cane can help with chronic pain:
- Reduces pressure on the joints: Using a cane can help redistribute the weight of the body and reduce the pressure on the joints, which can be especially beneficial for people with arthritis or other joint-related chronic pain.
- Provides stability: A cane can provide stability and support, helping to prevent falls and reducing the risk of injury.
- Improves posture: By providing support and stability, a cane can help improve posture, reducing strain on the neck, shoulders, and back.
- Increases mobility: With the help of a cane, people with chronic pain can move around more comfortably and confidently, which can improve overall mobility and independence.
- Decreases pain: By reducing pressure on the joints and improving posture, using a cane can also help decrease pain associated with chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis or sciatica.
Overall, using a cane can be a simple but effective way to manage chronic pain and improve mobility. It is important to choose the right cane that is the correct height and weight for your body and to use it correctly to get the most benefit.
Walkers
Walkers can help with chronic pain by providing additional support and stability for individuals who require more assistance than a cane can provide. Walkers come in various types, including traditional walkers, walkers with wheels, and walkers with seats. These mobility aids can improve balance and help reduce the risk of falls for individuals with chronic pain who may struggle with mobility.
Walkers also offer additional support for individuals who have trouble standing or walking for extended periods due to chronic pain in their legs or back. The adjustable height of most walkers means that they can be customized to fit the user’s height, providing maximum comfort and support.
Additionally, walkers can be equipped with accessories such as baskets or trays, making it easier for individuals to carry items with them as they move around. Finally, most walkers can be folded for easy storage and transportation, making them a convenient option for individuals who need assistance both inside and outside of their homes.
Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs can help with chronic pain by providing a means of mobility when standing or walking is too painful or not possible. By sitting in a wheelchair, the user can conserve their energy and reduce the amount of weight-bearing on their lower extremities. This can be particularly helpful for individuals with chronic pain in their legs or hips. Wheelchairs also come in a variety of sizes and types, which can be customized to fit the specific needs of the user. For example, some wheelchairs are designed for outdoor use, while others are designed for indoor use only. Some wheelchairs have reclining features or adjustable leg rests to provide more comfort for the user. Additionally, wheelchairs can provide greater independence and freedom for individuals with chronic pain, allowing them to participate in activities and go places that may have been difficult or impossible without assistance. Another consideration is if you are going to spend a lot of time in the wheelchair, finding one with a good seat width and cushion is a good idea. At Bayshore Medical Supply, our transport wheelchairs are super lightweight (only 14 pounds) and can be folded down for easy transportation.
Powerchairs and Scooters
Chronic pain can cause fatigue. Though a wheelchair may be great for helping you keep a sense of independence, a powerchair or scooter may help you save energy and time. It is also a less taxing option on the arms if you have limited arm strength or pain in the arms. Mobility scooters are available in 3- and 4-wheel models. They also come with a variety of accessories like a basket to help you carry things around. If this sounds like an option for you, you will want to consider things like home usage, usage outside the home, and comfortability in choosing the right powerchair or scooter. If this is a consideration of yours and you are in the Pasadena TX or Southeast Houston area, come on by or call us at Bayshore Medical Supply, and we will be happy to help you in deciding which mobility scooter is right for you.
Chronic pain can be debilitating, but there are medical devices to make your mobility easier. if you live in Pasadena, Channelview, Baytown, League City or Southeast Houston, we here at Bayshore Medical Supply can help find the right solution for you to help ease your life and get you mobile again. Feel free to stop by at 4205 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, TX 77504, or call (713) 472-8585.
