Are Canes Healthy or Unhealthy? The Right and Wrong Way to Use a Mobility Aid

December 31, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the CDC, millions of Americans use a cane or walker for mobility support. However, whether a walking cane is healthy or unhealthy depends entirely on its correct selection and use for your specific needs, distinguishing between a helpful tool and a harmful crutch.

Quick Summary

Explore the health benefits and potential drawbacks of using a walking cane. This guide covers how to ensure proper fit, technique, and posture to maximize safety, minimize pain, and enhance mobility for long-term well-being.

Key Points

Balance and Stability: Canes are healthy when used correctly, providing extra stability and reducing the risk of falls for those with balance issues.
Joint Pain Relief: Proper cane use can offload weight from painful joints, like the hips and knees, alleviating discomfort and stress.
Risks of Improper Use: An incorrectly sized or used cane can cause back, neck, and shoulder strain, creating new health problems.
Opposite Side Rule: Always hold the cane on the side opposite your weaker or injured leg for optimal weight distribution and gait.
Professional Guidance is Key: Consulting a physical therapist is crucial for selecting the right cane type, ensuring proper fit, and learning the correct walking technique.
Increased Independence: A cane can significantly improve an individual's confidence and independence, allowing for more activity and social engagement.

A walking cane is a common mobility aid, but its reputation can be confusing. While some see it as a sign of frailty, others view it as a tool for independence. The truth is nuanced: when used correctly, a cane is a highly beneficial health device, but improper usage can lead to a host of problems, including pain and further injury. This guide delves into both sides, outlining how to make the healthiest choice for your mobility needs.

The Health Benefits of Using a Cane

When properly integrated into a person's life, a cane offers numerous physical and emotional advantages. It is more than just a support; it's a tool for active living.

Improved Stability and Fall Prevention

A cane provides a third point of contact with the ground, significantly widening a person's base of support. For individuals with balance issues, weakness, or neurological conditions, this additional contact point is invaluable in preventing dangerous falls. By improving balance, a cane allows users to navigate uneven terrain and crowded spaces with confidence.

Joint Relief and Reduced Pain

One of the most significant benefits is the ability to redistribute body weight. By leaning on a cane, users can offload up to 25% of their body weight from a painful or injured joint, such as the knee, hip, or ankle. This reduction in pressure can greatly alleviate pain and discomfort associated with conditions like arthritis or injury recovery.

Better Posture and Spinal Alignment

Pain and weakness often cause people to develop compensatory gaits, like slouching or limping, which can strain the back and throw off spinal alignment. A properly fitted cane promotes an upright posture, encouraging the user to engage core muscles and walk more naturally, which prevents long-term back and shoulder pain.

Increased Independence and Confidence

Mobility issues can lead to anxiety and social isolation. By providing reliable support, a cane restores a sense of autonomy. Users can walk further, attend social events, and feel more secure in their daily movements, directly improving their quality of life.

The Risks of Improper Cane Use

Despite the benefits, a cane is only as good as its use. Incorrect technique, sizing, or handle type can negate its advantages and introduce new health risks.

Incorrect Height

Using a cane that is either too tall or too short is a primary cause of secondary pain. A cane that is too short forces the user to hunch over, straining the back, while one that is too tall causes shoulder and neck tension. A physiotherapist can help ensure correct sizing.

Holding It on the Wrong Side

A common mistake is holding the cane on the same side as the weak leg. This incorrect technique leads to an unbalanced gait and increases stress on the painful side. The correct method is to hold the cane in the hand opposite the injured or weaker leg.

Over-reliance and Inefficient Gait

Some users lean too heavily on their cane or use a poor walking pattern, which can lead to arm and shoulder strain or cause them to move less efficiently. A physical therapist can teach proper techniques, such as moving the cane in tandem with the weaker leg, to ensure a smoother, more effective gait.

Choosing the Right Cane: A Comparison

Choosing the right type of cane for your specific needs is essential for maximizing benefits and minimizing risks.


Feature	Single-Point Cane	Quad Cane	Offset Handle Cane
Best for	Minor balance issues, minor pain.	Substantial balance issues, recovery from stroke.	Offloading significant weight from a painful joint.
Base of Support	Narrow.	Broadest; offers maximum stability.	Medium; positions hand directly over the shaft.
Weight	Lightest; most portable.	Heaviest; can be cumbersome.	Moderate.
Maneuverability	Highest; best for navigating tight spaces.	Lowest; slower, less agile.	Good; solid balance and movement.
Primary Function	Balance and minimal support.	Stability and strong support.	Stronger weight-bearing support.

Making the Healthiest Choice for Your Mobility

Deciding whether a cane is right for you, or your loved one, comes down to assessing the individual's needs. The first step is acknowledging that needing a mobility aid is not a setback, but a sensible, proactive decision for your health and safety. Always consult a healthcare professional, such as a physical therapist, to determine the appropriate type of cane and learn the correct techniques for your specific condition. A professional can correctly measure and fit the cane to your body, dramatically reducing the risk of strain and injury.

In conclusion, a cane is overwhelmingly a healthy tool for those who need it, provided it is used correctly. The key to ensuring its health benefits and avoiding its risks is proper assessment, fitting, and training. By following expert advice, a cane can be a valuable asset for years of confident and independent mobility. For more information on proper technique, refer to resources like Tips for choosing and using canes.

Frequently Asked Questions

You should always hold the cane in the hand opposite your weaker or injured leg. For example, if you have a sore left hip, you should hold the cane in your right hand. This mimics a normal walking pattern and provides the most effective support.

Yes, if used incorrectly. Back pain can result from using a cane that is the wrong height, as it forces you to adopt an unnatural posture and strain your back muscles. A poorly fitted cane can also cause shoulder and neck tension.

Stand up straight with your arm hanging naturally at your side. The top of the cane's handle should align with the crease of your wrist. When you hold the cane, your elbow should have a slight bend of about 15 to 20 degrees.

The best choice depends on your needs. A single-point cane is for minor balance issues and pain. A quad cane, with its four legs, provides a broader base of support for those needing more significant stability, such as after a stroke, though it is heavier and less nimble.

It's time to consider a cane if you experience balance issues, chronic joint pain, weakness in your leg or trunk, or if you are recovering from a surgery or injury. It can also help if you find yourself unsteady on stairs or uneven ground.

Yes, but with care. When going up, lead with your stronger leg. When going down, lead with your weaker leg and the cane simultaneously. Always use a handrail if one is available.

Yes. A physical therapist can recommend cane-assisted exercises to help improve flexibility, core strength, and balance. Using a cane can help you remain active and mobile, which is beneficial for overall health.