Chapter 6: Modern Models

The classic walking stick has been around for centuries, but today’s walking stick can sometimes feature a very modern flair. Many advances in engineering and medicine have identified a number of subtleties that can make certain modern walking sticks more comfortable, more convenient or otherwise more desirable to some users than the more classic models.

One variable that has considerably impacted the number of walking stick models available is the field of ergonomics. As we have come to increasingly define the positions and motions that lead to the best maintenance of health, walking sticks have come into existence that best enable these desirable positions and motions. Ergonomic or “anatomical” walking sticks can be invaluable among arthritis sufferers, Parkinson’s patients or any number of others who find it difficult or uncomfortable to maintain a grip on traditional walking stick handles. Additionally, because anatomical models of walking stick facilitate the grip and decrease the amount of strain on the user’s hand, wrist and arm, they are preferred among those suffering from repetitive motion injuries such as Carpel Tunnel Syndrome or tendonitis. The use of ergonomically correct models among healthy people may decrease the chances that these conditions can occur over time with walking stick use.

Among the ergonomically favorable walking sticks in existence today are walking sticks that are right- or left-handed. These models are designed to position the thumb and forefingers into the most appropriate configurations during the gripping of the handle. Such positioning is important to prevent constriction on the muscles and tendons of the inner wrist; it is this area that, when constricted, can become inflamed and lead to a number of different health maladies over time.

Another feature that can increase the ergonomic design of a walking stick is the type of handle. Models featuring “palm-grip” or “palm” handles are different than other versions in that their handles are much wider. Additionally, they are curved to hug the entire surface of the user’s palm. These models can be very comfortable and easy to grip even by people with compromised hand strength or stamina.

One modern feature that can contribute to both comfort and convenience is flexibility of the walking stick itself. No longer just rigid shafts of wood, many walking sticks today are adjustable. Adjustable models can be lengthened or shortened to adjust to the height of the user. Because proper height is critical to prevent stooping, which can heavily strain a user’s back, adjustable models offer a personalization unavailable with models that only come in one or a few step-wise heights. They can also be useful for a user who is still growing, or conversely, for elderly users whose height and/or posture can become diminished over time.

In addition to adjustability, many models today have a folding feature that enables the user to compress the walking stick into a very small, compact configuration when not in use. These models generally fold in three or four places down the length of the shaft, resulting in a stick that is no more than a foot in length. This feature can be very convenient for storing the walking stick in a small closet or even a drawer.