By Linda Buch, InsideBayArea.com

Neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease affect both balance and posture. This means that when people suffering from this disease go out walking for exercise or even to perform some errands at a store, they run the risk of falling, which usually exacerbates what is already a difficult situation. Therefore, many forego exercise altogether.

A. William Menzin, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, former consultant to the World Health Organization, notes that people with Parkinson's walk with what is known as a "festinating gait," as if being pushed from behind.

"Balance is a major problem in the U.S. in general," says Menzin. "Walking (particularly barefoot) increases the proprioceptors (nerve endings which provide a sense of your body's position" in the feet, which sends messages to the brain, which improves balance. The important thing is to exercise and keep exercising."

Many people with Parkinson's become frustrated and/or embarrassed out in public. Avoiding activity is not only physically unhealthy, but the feeling of isolation can bring on emotional problems such as depression. Yes, there are walkers, canes and other devices but the stigma they carry — of feebleness and helplessness — makes people reluctant to use them.

Walking poles, on the other hand, evoke a sporty, energetic feeling and give people with Parkinson's an emotional boost and a more positive kinetic experience. In addition to offering proper propulsion, the poles also help with posture. And because poles require the user to engage the muscles of the torso, arms, shoulders and back muscles, their overall benefit is amplified.

Jayah Faye Paley is a personal trainer and owner of Adventure Buddies, Inc. She conducts seminars all over the country to help people get the right poles, learn how to use them, adjust them and enjoy them.

"Setting the length of the pole to facilitate good posture is critical for people with (Parkinson's)," explains Paley. "Their bodies seem to sigh in relief at the bilateral stability." She has found poles are more empowering than a cane, which means people are more likely to use them.

Paley brings plenty of poles to her free Parkinson's clinics (caregivers are encouraged to attend as well). She demonstrates how trekking poles can be used to facilitate a more upright posture and teaches the user how to navigate turns, curbs and stairs. These are the same poles hikers use to help improve endurance going uphill and support for joints on the downhill. Paley found that with minimal instruction, folks whose balance is challenged quickly feel more stable and start to walk quite naturally with two poles. Also, the poles have rubber tips, which make them a good choice for pavement and indoor practice.