You've given your walking cane the good ol' college try, but you're just not getting anywhere. You know it's an effective tool, so you keep trying to use it to help your balance and gain better footing, but all you're achieving is more and more falls and torn-up shins.

Walking canes are tools used by people who can walk but sometimes need some added support or guidance. You can do Cane-assisted exercise at any time or place, but it is most effective while walking, which means you will probably want to carry your cane with you wherever you go.

Use a one-piece cane.

If you use a one-piece cane, it's simple: hold the tip and grip the shaft. You can also find two- and three-piece canes that use similar methods for holding the cane in place, but only one piece should be used while walking. One-piece canes are traditional and slightly more attractive than others, so if you are looking for an elegant walking stick, consider this option instead of what is shown in this section.

Hold your cane with both hands while walking.

You may have told you that you should only hold onto a walking cane with one hand, but that is a very limiting piece of advice for people who want a full range of motion. Holding your cane with both hands will give you more control over your walking patterns and allow you to use the cane as a brace for turning and balancing.

Swing it from side to side as you walk.

When walking with your cane, remember that you are not just walking towards one destination — but rather moving forward in various directions. Swinging the tip of the walking cane from side to side is an effective way to gain better control over where you are going. Also, if you're using a two-piece cane, holding the tip and shaft together will help you achieve better balance and be more stable as well.

Hold your cane with both hands and balance on the shaft only.

When walking, many people use the cane as a brace to hold themselves up. But canes are designed to always support weight by both the tip and shaft, so if you use only the tip, you'll find that your walk is very awkward and unstable because it will be harder for you to keep your balance. Holding your cane with both hands and balancing on the shaft will allow you to maintain better control of yourself.

Twist from side to side as you walk.

Twisting from side to side as you walk is an effective way to exercise your core and legs. As you twist, all of your muscles will be used and activated, and your blood circulation will increase as well. This movement also gives you the ability to use the cane as a brace for balance, which allows for even more movement options.

Final Thoughts

There you have it: 5 easy ways to make the most of your walking cane. Now, there are dozens upon dozens of other useful techniques and positions you can use while walking. Still, we've found that these five simple tips add a lot of extra functionality and exercise potential to your entire body.

If you're ready to get in shape, add some cane-assisted exercise into your daily routine! You'll be amazed by how much more freedom you have in your activities when you move without the aid of crutches or a wheelchair.