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WEDGES
These came out of… not having enough hands. I work very closely on correcting the joint alignment in the fingers, and several years ago, I was trying a lot of ways to keep the spacing between the fingers. After many different attempts, I came up with these. There are many different tensions that are created with a hand injury, and the quicker we can restore balance back to the hand, the faster the recovery. Cutting up the foam blocks and sliding them between the fingers, is an amazing way to help relax and align structures in the hand. They are comfortable for the patient and often instantly reduce pain. They wear them as much as they want, and they move a lot more…. therefore, improving hand function. My goal is that these are standard practice in hand therapy to help reduce pain, increase ROM and restore function. Patent Pending |
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KINESIOTAPING
This treatment modality is the most amazing thing I have ever learned. There are so many reasons to love it. The ability to move and channel fluid, cue muscles and joints for stabilization, mobilize skin and fascia, and eliminate pain is extraordinary. It was invented by Dr. Kenzo Kase over 40 years ago, and works on the concept of “Lift” and decompression. When the tape is applied to the body in strategically placed locations, we have the ability to help restore the system to a homeostatic state. We incorporate a very systematic assessment process to determine how and why to place the tape, with a re-assessment for optimum outcomes.
I have been a Kinesio Taping Instructor for over 9 years but took my first class in 1996. It is the foundation of all my treatments and I am always looking to improve my ability to reduce or eliminate pain.
This treatment modality is the most amazing thing I have ever learned. There are so many reasons to love it. The ability to move and channel fluid, cue muscles and joints for stabilization, mobilize skin and fascia, and eliminate pain is extraordinary. It was invented by Dr. Kenzo Kase over 40 years ago, and works on the concept of “Lift” and decompression. When the tape is applied to the body in strategically placed locations, we have the ability to help restore the system to a homeostatic state. We incorporate a very systematic assessment process to determine how and why to place the tape, with a re-assessment for optimum outcomes.
I have been a Kinesio Taping Instructor for over 9 years but took my first class in 1996. It is the foundation of all my treatments and I am always looking to improve my ability to reduce or eliminate pain.
IASTM -HAWKS GRIPS
I am lucky enough to be associated with Hawks Grips and they allow me to use their tools when I teach. I love them!!
I use a lot of other things however, like tongue depressors, Gua Sha tools and a “crochet hook" that was given to me from my friend from France- Beatrice Allanic (see below). This is my favorite tool for scar tissue especially around a boney prominence.
The IASTM tools allow you to work and concentrate on fascia and connective tissue. The fascia is the “matrix” of the body and when impaired it will limit motion and increase pain. STM with your hands and tools care is completely different. The metal tools allow us to target the fascial and skin adhesions and helps control and direct treatment.
Hawks Grip discount : TAYLOR15
I am lucky enough to be associated with Hawks Grips and they allow me to use their tools when I teach. I love them!!
I use a lot of other things however, like tongue depressors, Gua Sha tools and a “crochet hook" that was given to me from my friend from France- Beatrice Allanic (see below). This is my favorite tool for scar tissue especially around a boney prominence.
The IASTM tools allow you to work and concentrate on fascia and connective tissue. The fascia is the “matrix” of the body and when impaired it will limit motion and increase pain. STM with your hands and tools care is completely different. The metal tools allow us to target the fascial and skin adhesions and helps control and direct treatment.
Hawks Grip discount : TAYLOR15
CROCHET HOOK
I love this. I was teaching in Dublin and a new friend, Beatric Alllanic PT/OT, from Nice, France, attended. She gave me this as a gift and I love it. It allows you to get under and around scar tissue, especially behind the elbow.
It performs differently to tongue depressor and even heavier weighted tool. I use mine on every treatment and find an amazing benefit in the palm of the hand, tips of the fingers for "scraping" and dorsal hand.
I love this. I was teaching in Dublin and a new friend, Beatric Alllanic PT/OT, from Nice, France, attended. She gave me this as a gift and I love it. It allows you to get under and around scar tissue, especially behind the elbow.
It performs differently to tongue depressor and even heavier weighted tool. I use mine on every treatment and find an amazing benefit in the palm of the hand, tips of the fingers for "scraping" and dorsal hand.
TUNING FORKS
I was first introduced to this amazing modality by my Kinesio colleagues- Elizabeth Geiger Harvey PT and Judee Macias-Harris, SLP. After that I was hooked and started experimenting and researching them. I have found them to be essential in my treatment for mobilizing and remodeling scar tissue as well as moving fluid. I am currently using the 72hz and 128 Hz weighted. The relaxation to the neural system and the ability to soften tissue to amazing in the hand and upper limb. The research targets fascia and collagen remodeling. This in turn allows more neural mobilization, reduces pain and improves mobility. This ia a unique opportunity to reduce pain, since the pain is in the sensory system. "Pain is a nervous system phenomenon, not a muscle phenomenon". Diane Jacobs, PT.
Look at the research tab for supporting research.
I get my tuning fork 128HZ from Biosonics with the crystal foot attachment. This allows smooth sliding of the fork, and gives you a longer shaft to hold to manipulate the fork. Plus the crystal is designed to amplify the vibration
I got a 72 HZ from Kinesiotape International. We will be teaching classes on this in the future. Please stay tuned.
See below video.
I was first introduced to this amazing modality by my Kinesio colleagues- Elizabeth Geiger Harvey PT and Judee Macias-Harris, SLP. After that I was hooked and started experimenting and researching them. I have found them to be essential in my treatment for mobilizing and remodeling scar tissue as well as moving fluid. I am currently using the 72hz and 128 Hz weighted. The relaxation to the neural system and the ability to soften tissue to amazing in the hand and upper limb. The research targets fascia and collagen remodeling. This in turn allows more neural mobilization, reduces pain and improves mobility. This ia a unique opportunity to reduce pain, since the pain is in the sensory system. "Pain is a nervous system phenomenon, not a muscle phenomenon". Diane Jacobs, PT.
Look at the research tab for supporting research.
I get my tuning fork 128HZ from Biosonics with the crystal foot attachment. This allows smooth sliding of the fork, and gives you a longer shaft to hold to manipulate the fork. Plus the crystal is designed to amplify the vibration
I got a 72 HZ from Kinesiotape International. We will be teaching classes on this in the future. Please stay tuned.
See below video.
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CUPPING
I have been cupping for around four years. I love everything about this. My brain functions in skin and fascia and the concept of “lift” is Kinesio all the way. By mobilizing tissues in different directions and decompressing areas of “stagnation” we have given the body a way to start healing itself. Scar and fascia that is dysfunctional needs to be remodeled, and unless we move the tissue and various directions, then things will vary rarely change. Cupping gives us this unique ability. Lifting the skin, we can help channel fluid into areas previously blocked by scar or adhesions. This is safe modality and I touch on the concepts of cupping in the “Treating without Pain” course. |
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POLYPELLETS
I have been using poly pellets for over 20 years. Originally it was only used for nerve injury. But I discovered over time that everyone had impairment in the neural system. The superficial benefits of the plastic texture are supported by the pain concepts of Melzack and Wall (1965). In summary the attention of the brain on the superficial sensory system will essentially close the pain gate. So I have all my patient exercise and complete HEP in the pellets. I have found greater compliance since exercise is now less painful. The beautiful thing is that they can be cleaned and stored in the fridge. The cool temperature of the plastic as well and the soothing textural effects, result in a beautiful benefit for the patient.
I have been using poly pellets for over 20 years. Originally it was only used for nerve injury. But I discovered over time that everyone had impairment in the neural system. The superficial benefits of the plastic texture are supported by the pain concepts of Melzack and Wall (1965). In summary the attention of the brain on the superficial sensory system will essentially close the pain gate. So I have all my patient exercise and complete HEP in the pellets. I have found greater compliance since exercise is now less painful. The beautiful thing is that they can be cleaned and stored in the fridge. The cool temperature of the plastic as well and the soothing textural effects, result in a beautiful benefit for the patient.
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CLX BANDS
These are the newest version of therabands. Much safer than regular bands, since if they snap they should not result in injury. The beauty is that they can be modified and used for small finger exercises, thumb, hand, elbow, and shoulder. |
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CHIP CLIPS
I first was introduced to these but Pam Tutten (CHT- GA) who sent me the CMC research by Virginia O'Brien. In one of the articles (see Research page), she used them to relax the 1st dorsal interossei. So I started playing with them, and found that they worked great to manipulate the superficial sensory system as well. Primarily the SBRN. I use them everyday to see if I need to glide the tissue distally, to help lengthen the neural system and allow movement. The clips are vital with diagnosing neural adherence and helping to reduce pain. Place them on the 5th metacarpal shaft to help the ulnar nerve as well. |
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The MOBILE ARM (Giant Swizzle Stick)
This is an amazing invention from Sheri Roberts OT/CHT, which has at least a hundred different uses. I use it for wrist, elbow and shoulder motion and dynamic activities. Videos will be posted soon. Also, look under Affiliates for website info. Hand in Mind website has everything hand therapy. |