Question: A friend told me that canes could be used as a natural solution for addressing arthritis pain in my knees and hips. Is that true?

Answer: If you're having pain, you should always consult a doctor to discuss why you're having the pain and what effective treatment would include. That being said, many people do find canes helpful as a non-pharmaceutical, non-surgical method for keeping arthritis at bay or supplementing medications prescribed by their doctor. The best people to consult about using a cane effectively are your family physician or physical therapist.

Canes can help alleviate the pain that many rheumatoid arthritis patients feel in their hips, ankles and knees when they stand or walk. As soon as you start experiencing these symptoms, a cane might be helpful. Even if the pain is not severe, taking a little of the weight off of your painful joints can go a long way.

Not everyone is ready to start carrying a cane with them all the time when they start experiencing discomfort in their joints-and that's okay. Talk to you doctor about practical solutions and consider using a cane sometimes-maybe just at home or at times when you'll be walking for an extended period of time, like shopping or visiting museums. Something as simple as keeping a cane in the car in case you need to walk somewhere for assistance or have a particularly stiff joint after a long car ride can provide peace of mind and a back-up plan for days when you do feel that you need an assistive device.

If you are planning to use a cane, it's important to schedule and appointment with someone who can help you choose the right design-there are different types of grips and canes that are better suited for different individuals-and who will be able to help you learn how to use your new cane. Also consider whether you have arthritis symptoms in your hands, wrists, elbows or shoulders and talk to your specialist about how to avoid worsening symptoms in these areas when you start using a cane.