In 1981 Dr. Neureuther proved that “ski poles” reduced the pressure or strain on the opposite leg by about 20%. A 1999 study in the Journal of Sports Medicine showed trekking poles can reduce the compressive force on your knees by up to 25%.

Now, before you go out and buy a hiking stick, consider this perspective. Dr. Chris Powers, a phenomenal physiotherapist and researcher at USC, has found that simply bowing forward at the hips when squatting, lunging, climbing stairs, hiking, or running reduces forces on the knee by as much as 25%.

Do you see the connection? It’s not the hiking stick, but the forward posture that makes the difference!