ACTIVATOR ℗ poles – and how we use them

WHAT ARE ACTIVATOR POLES?

ACTIVATOR ℗ poles are walking poles adapted by Occupational Therapist and Gerontologist, Mandy Shintani, in Canada. These are adapted from typical nordic walking poles that are used when hiking. Nordic walking has recently been shown to be a whole body physical activity as it requires you to use your upper body and core muscles as well. Research has shown that nordic walking is a great way to increase your cardiovascular fitness and quality of life. The ACTIVATOR ℗ poles have been modified to improve their safety and support, making it an effective and safe mobility aid for elderly and neurological populations.

The ACTIVATOR ℗ poles allows a neutral wrist position so it reduces strain on your wrists and hands even if walking for long periods of time. The ledge on the handle when pushed down with each step provides balance and helps offload weight, which is especially important for people recovering from injuries or surgeries. Unlike the common walking cane or wheeled walkers, its design allows for more upright posture, and even weight distribution between the two sides of the body. This helps to promote more symmetrical body movements, swinging both arms, and normal walking patterns. It can support up to 90kg of weight per pole (maximum user weight of 113-147kg), and adjustable to user heights of 182-193cm. It also has built in anti-vibration features to protect your joints.

HOW WE USE IT

We use ACTIVATOR ℗ poles in the clinic with many of our clients, and a wide variety of conditions. Please consult a professional if you have any of the below conditions and would like to trial ACTIVATOR ℗ poles

Stroke

For our clients with a stroke background, we use the poles to aim for symmetrical movements and to draw more attention to their affected side. By providing more stability with 4 points of contact and an upright posture, this allows them to walk for longer distances, increase the length of each step and also increasing the speed of their walking.

Parkinson’s

For our clients with Parkinson’s disease, the ACTIVATOR ℗ poles can be used to create large scale movements and incorporated into our movement training exercises. Walking with the poles also help reduce the shuffling pattern when walking and prevents the person stooping into a hunched posture.

Seniors/Elderly

The ACTIVATOR ℗ poles are also a great tool to prevent progressions to more conventional walking aids such as the walking canes or 4 wheeled walkers as these may promote asymmetrical walking patterns, stooped postures or stiff arm movements, all of which are not deemed functional movement patterns. The poles are also a useful tool within a structured falls prevention program to keep people mobile, independent, and free of falls.

Using poles to provide more stability during a balance activity with 4 points of contact. Overall, these mobility equipments help build up the confidence of the individual and thus allowing people to expand on their opportunities and increase self-efficacy.