Tips for Choosing Right Walking Aids

If you or your loved one is suffering from mobility difficulties due to foot surgery or an accident then it is important to find an appropriate walking aid. Finding an appropriate walking aid can help them in recover fast, maintain proper balance and increase independence. Today, there is a huge selection of walking aid available online such as canes, crutches and walkers but finding the correct walking aid is important. Many of us are in a mind frame that all mobility aids are same and can be used for any purpose. But by ignoring the importance of selecting the correct device results in selecting inappropriate, damaged or wrong height devices.

It is important to understand that getting a correct walking aid helps in faster recovery and gives secure footing. Selecting a correct walking aid is not an easy task as different walking aids cater to different needs. Below I have discussed in detail about Canes and Crutches which can help you in selecting the correct device.


Canes: 

Canes are the widely used walking aid as they support weight and prevent falls. These are used when a person requires limited support or have minor difficulties with balance, instability or weakness in leg. And before purchasing a cane its style and length should be taken in to consideration.
Style: There are various handgrip styles and shapes available and the most common style is single point and quad or three point cane. It is suggested that people who suffer from arthritis should use single point cane while the patients with neurological impairments should use quad cane. But the cane which can be easy to grip and feel comfortable should be selected. Canes with four feet provide better stability than straight canes but they can be heavy or difficult to use and carry.

Crutches: 

Crutches are used when a person has gone under a surgery or injury and is not able to use the legs to support the weight. Crutch transfers the weight from legs to the upper body. They come in two types namely the underarm crutch and the forearm crutch and are suitable for the people with upper body strength. Things to consider while buying crutches are:
Style: An ideal crutch is one which gives comfortable grip and provides proper padding on top.
Length: It is important to select the correct crutch length which will properly fit to the user. An improper fitted crutch will result in muscle pain or nerve damage. A crutch should give enough room to fit 2 to 3 fingers between underarm and top of the crutch which allows user to stand straight comfortably with his elbow bent 15 or 30 degree as the hands rest on handles.

So now don’t let surgery or injury force you to stick to one place or to a wheelchair. Move around freely and heal your problems. Also consult your doctor before choosing a walking aid.

Diabetes Care Tips

“Be stronger than diabetes”
Changing your lifestyle could be a big step towards diabetes prevention and it's never too late to start. Life with diabetes should be full and satisfying.

Consider these 5 simple tips to manage diabetes properly.

1. Exercise Regularly- One of the most powerful antidotes for insulin resistance is exercise. There are many benefits of regular physical activity. Exercise can help you to lose weight, lower your blood sugar, boost your sensitivity to insulin etc. This will help you to keep your blood sugar within a normal range. Research shows that both aerobic exercise and resistance training can help control diabetes, but the greater benefit comes from a fitness program that includes both.
2. Include fiber in your meals- It's rough, it's tough — and it may help you to reduce your risk of diabetes by improving your blood sugar control, lower your risk of heart disease and make you feel energetic. Foods high in fiber are fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts and seeds.
3. Choose healthy oils & fats- The message to limit the unhealthy saturated fats is particularly pertinent and strong for people with diabetes. You have three goals when it comes to oils and fats:
     1.   Limit cheese, butter and sour cream instead use low-fat or fat-free versions of these. Eat small servings of lean protein sources.
     2.   Get more fat from mono- and polyunsaturated sources by using liquid cooking oils from vegetables, nuts, or seeds.
     3.   Cut your fat-gram count to trim daily calories. Thick cream dressing on salad, butter on toast, and sour cream on a baked potato adds extra calories. Counting fat grams is a successful strategy to achieve weight loss in multicenter diabetes studies.
4. Quench your craving- High blood sugar can suppress your sense of thirst, fooling you into thinking you’re hungry when all you really need is a drink. The next time you get a between-meal craving, have a glass of water and wait 20 minutes. If the urge to eat doesn’t subside, you’re legitimately hungry. Have a few apple slices or some other healthy snack. Sip a black tea, either hot or iced. Besides hydrating you, black tea aids in controlling blood sugar.
5. Skip fad diets and just make healthier choices- Low-carb diets or other fad diets may help you lose weight at first, but their effectiveness at preventing diabetes isn't known in long term. Think variety and portion control as part of an overall healthy eating plan. 

A number of health drinks and food are available at Health Vistas to improve insulin sensitivity like Mylife ACV- Apple Cider Vinegar Juice, Aumfresh Sugarherb Herbal Sweetener & more. For more insight into diabetes care tips visit : healthvistas.com

Acupressure Therapy

Acupressure is an age-old practice with origins in China. It applies the same principles as acupuncture to promote relaxation and wellness and to treat diseases. But what exactly is acupressure and how does it work?

The theory of acupressure
Acupressure is an effective form of stimulation used to help relax the muscles. It is an ancient healing art using the fingers to gradually press key healing points, which stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. Using the power and sensitivity of the hand, acupressure therapy is effective in the relief of stress-related ailments. It is ideal for self-treatment and for boosting the immune system. Acupressure releases tension, increases blood circulation, reduces pain, and develops spirituality and vibrant health.

How does acupressure work? 
Acupressure therapy involves the use of fingers, palms, elbows, feet or special devices to apply pressure to acupoints on the body's meridians. Acupressure is often administered by an acupuncturist with the person receiving the acupressure lying on a massage table. Acupressure can also be self-administered, although it's best to consult an acupuncturist for proper instructions. The pressure is often increased for about 30 seconds, held steadily for two minutes and then gradually decreased to 30 seconds. The goal of acupressure is to restore health and balance of the body's channels of energy. It is aimed at regulating the opposing forces of yin (negative energy) and yang (positive energy).

What are the ways to administer acupressure?
There are a number of ways to administer acupressure.

1. Use deep, firm pressure to massage and stimulate each pressure point.
2. When massaging acupoints, try to relax in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and breathe deeply.
3. Repeat the massage as often as you like; there is no limit of the number of times a day.
4. Besides massaging these points on yourself, anyone can also help massage these points for you. 

What are the different acupressure products available for you? 
An exclusive range of acupressure products are available in the market for specific ailments. Choose from a variety of products like Star Health AC-15 Acupressure Slippers, ACS Acu Magnetic Shoe Insoles, ACS Twister Body Weight Reducer-DISC, ACS Deluxe Magnetic Pillow & many more. These help to get rid of excess fat and flabby muscles. In addition to this, acupressure therapy tones up spinal nerves and removes stiffness.
For more information visit our website: healthvistas.com