Urban Poling: Benefits and How It Helps Parkinson’s Patients Improve Movement?
Urban poling is a type of walking exercise designed to improve the balance and posture in
patients with Parkinson’s. Urban Poling uses patented Activator poles designed to reduce the weight on the lower back and knees thus encouraging good posture and providing better
stability. It is also known as Nordic walking or pole walking. Pole walking mimics the motion of cross-country skiing with the specially designed activator poles. Since Parkinson’s progressive nature leads to stooped posture and slow walking, the use of pole walking is increased to create a steady pace thus encouraging the patient to take longer strides.
What does the Activator pole include
Urban poling uses patented activator poles that include-:
- Ergonomic patented coregrip
This allows effective application of force for strengthening the core and off-loading weight.
- It supports the wrist in neutral position
By supporting the wrist in neutral position, it reduces the strain on the wrist
- Bell shaped tip
It is made of high-grade rubber with treads for shock absorption and stability.
The wider bell base provides greater stability and good weight bearing.
- A secure button locking system to adjust the height makes the pole an easy use.
- Straps are replaced by Wide ledge to reduce the risk of injury.
- Carbide steel tip to walk in trails and snowy places
Benefits of Activator poles
Urban poling has gained a great attention and activator poles are revolutionizing rehabilitation used widely across physical healthcare. The several health benefits offered by the activator poles used in urban poling include-:
- Improved exercise capacity
- Maximal oxygen consumption and improved lung capacity
- Positive effects on blood pressure and resting heart rate.
- These activator poles do not support rounding of the back.
Why Urban Poling
Urban poling is a bilateral activity meaning it has two contact points. It encourages functional walking patterns in adults who have shuffling gait. With poles, adults with kyphosis stand straight, have a proper swing phase with heel to toe gait pattern and feel more confident than before. The confidence is because of the four-point contact created along with the poles that takes on weight bearing.
Who needs urban poling
Before beginning any new physical activity consult your healthcare provider with the symptoms you are facing. A physical therapist or occupational therapist might help you with better treatment protocols. Urban poling can be done with individuals facing issues such as
- Feeling unsteady when on feet trying to get out of the bathtub
- Using walls or furniture for support to walk inside the house
- Feeling of weakness or shakiness in legs when trying to stand up from chair
- Individuals facing balance problems due to Parkinson’s, stroke or any neurological disorders
- When you don’t feel confident using a cane
Urban poling at Balanced Gait PT
At Balanced Gait PT we aim to provide and design exercises that best suit our patient abilities. Pole walking is a exercise with specifically designed walking poles that uses your upper body and lower body. We guide you from basics on why you want to use walking poles, the type of pole features you want and create an exercise plan based on your poles.
References
1.https://issuu.com/shellpointwm/docs/sp-life-2023-05/s/23496783
2.https://urbanpoling.com/activator-poles-vs-other-devices/
3.https://urbanpoling.com/activator-poles-vs-other-devices/