If you’ve noticed that walking feels a little harder than it used to — perhaps your hips or knees ache after a short distance, your balance feels less certain, or you’re simply not covering the ground you once did — you’re not alone. This is one of the most common concerns we hear at Thorpes Physiotherapy, particularly from patients in their 50s, 60s, and beyond who are noticing early changes in their joints.
One of the simplest, most effective tools we recommend for many of these patients? Nordic walking poles.
They’re often overlooked, sometimes dismissed as something only serious hikers use, but the reality is that Nordic walking poles can make a genuine difference to comfort, confidence, and distance walked — especially for people managing early arthritic changes or general joint stiffness.
A Personal Example Close to Home
I often think of my own mum when I explain the benefits of walking poles to patients. She was struggling with hip arthritis — that dull, nagging ache that made longer walks increasingly unappealing. Simple outings that used to be enjoyable had become something she dreaded.
When she started using a pair of Nordic walking poles, the difference was noticeable almost immediately. She found she could walk roughly twice as far as before, with considerably less discomfort. The poles gave her more confidence, better support, and — perhaps most importantly — the motivation to keep moving rather than avoiding walking altogether.
This is a pattern we see time and again in clinic, and it’s why walking poles are frequently part of the conversation when patients tell us walking has become harder.
Why Walking Poles Can Help
Nordic walking poles aren’t just for uphill hiking trails. For someone managing early joint pain, stiffness, or mild instability, they offer several practical benefits:
They reduce load through the lower limbs. By transferring some of your bodyweight through your arms and the poles, you reduce the amount of force travelling through your hips, knees, and ankles with every step. For someone with early arthritis, this can mean less pain and less fatigue over a longer distance.
They improve stability and confidence. Two points of ground contact (rather than relying solely on your legs) can make uneven terrain, kerbs, and longer walks feel far more secure — which often means people are willing to walk further and more often.
They encourage better posture and gait. Many people who are struggling with pain begin to walk with a stoop or a shortened stride without realising it. Poles encourage a more upright posture and a more natural walking rhythm, engaging the arms and upper body as part of the movement.
They keep you active. This is perhaps the most important point. When early arthritis or joint pain makes walking uncomfortable, the natural response is often to do less. Unfortunately, reduced activity tends to lead to more stiffness, more deconditioning, and often more pain — a frustrating cycle. Walking poles can help break this cycle by making movement more comfortable and sustainable, so you can stay active rather than withdrawing from it.
When a Stick or Crutch Might Be More Appropriate
While walking poles are excellent for many people with early joint changes, it’s important to recognise their limits. Nordic walking poles are designed to provide light support and rhythm during walking — they are not designed to bear significant weight.
If your walking problem has progressed — for example, if you’ve developed a noticeable limp, significant weakness, or pain that’s affecting your ability to weight-bear safely — a single walking stick or crutch is likely to be more appropriate. These are designed to take more load through the arm and offer more substantial support on the affected side.
This is exactly why we always recommend getting a proper assessment before choosing (or continuing with) any walking aid. Using the wrong tool for your stage of a condition could mean you’re either not getting enough support, or you’re missing the chance to address the underlying issue properly.
Why Walking Poles and Physiotherapy Go Hand in Hand
Walking poles can be a brilliant tool — but they work best as part of a wider plan, not a replacement for one. At Thorpes Physiotherapy, our priority is always to first understand why walking has become harder. Is it early hip or knee arthritis? Muscle weakness? A balance issue? A nerve-related symptom?
Once we’ve identified the source of the problem, we can build a treatment plan around it — which might include targeted strengthening, mobility work, load management strategies, and yes, practical advice on tools like walking poles to support you in the meantime.
If you’ve noticed walking has become more difficult, this is worth exploring properly rather than guessing. Book a free discovery visit and we’ll help you understand what’s going on and what your options are.
Getting the Height Right
If you do decide to try Nordic walking poles, correct sizing matters — poles that are too long or too short can affect your posture and reduce the benefits.
A simple guide: stand upright in your normal walking shoes, hold the pole with your arm relaxed by your side, and bend your elbow to roughly a 90-degree angle. The top of the pole (or the handle) should sit at approximately this elbow height. Many adjustable poles make this easy to fine-tune once you’re holding them.
Where to Buy Them
While many people assume walking poles are only available online, several high street sporting goods retailers and outdoor equipment shops do stock them — which is ideal if you’d like to try holding a pair and checking the fit before purchasing. Independent outdoor and walking shops are often particularly helpful, as staff can usually offer guidance on sizing and adjustable options in person.
Take the Next Step
If walking has become uncomfortable, slower, or something you’re avoiding, it’s worth understanding why — rather than simply working around the problem. A structured assessment can help identify the cause and guide you toward the right combination of treatment and support tools.
Book your free discovery visit today and let’s create a clear plan to help you move more comfortably and confidently.
If you know that you need to book in for some treatment, you can call 01276 37670 or alternately you can book online by clicking the button below
I hope this has been interesting and of value to you.
Warm regards
Jonathan Smith (MSc BSc FSOMM MCSP SRP)
Director of Thorpes Physiotherapy
For more information about my background, please click here