초록

Hand therapy methods and hand therapy exercise tools used with graded resistance putty to simulate fine/gross motor skills to improve hand/digit/forearm conditions.

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1. A hand/forearm therapy method, comprising the steps of: providing a first therapeutic putty having a first predetermined resistance;providing a first predetermined hand/forearm therapy exercise tool;inserting a first predetermined portion of said tool directly into said first putty so that said f

1. A hand/forearm therapy method, comprising the steps of: providing a first therapeutic putty having a first predetermined resistance;providing a first predetermined hand/forearm therapy exercise tool;inserting a first predetermined portion of said tool directly into said first putty so that said first predetermined portion touches and is immersed in said first putty;moving said tool to move a first predetermined trajectory within and relative to said first putty;removing said tool from said first putty;providing a second therapeutic putty having a second predetermined resistance which is greater than said first predetermined resistance;inserting said first predetermined portion of said tool directly into said second putty so that said first predetermined portion touches and is immersed in said second putty; andmoving said tool to move a second predetermined trajectory within and relative to said second putty. 2. A method according to claim 1, including the step of: selecting said second predetermined portion of the tool from a group consisting of a shape of a bolt, a nut, a bottle cap, a key, a door knob, a peg, a digit extension loop, a pro/sup wheel, a crank, a plank, a “T” bar, and an “L” bar to permit the user to strengthen one or more muscles associated with the hand/forearm of the user, and/or to increase radial and ulnar deviation and forearm pronation and supination. 3. A method according to claim 1, including the step of: selecting said second predetermined portion of the tool from a group consisting of a shape of a bolt, a nut, a bottle cap, a key, a door knob, a peg, a digit extension loop, a pro/sup wheel, a crank, a plank, a “T” bar, and an “L” bar to permit the user to mimic a functional task, such as turning a door knob, opening a bottle cap, inserting and turning a key, turning and tightening a nut, and turning and tightening a bolt. 4. A hand/forearm therapy method, comprising the steps of: providing a first therapeutic putty having a first predetermined resistance;providing a first predetermined hand/forearm therapy exercise tool;inserting a first predetermined portion of said tool into said first putty;moving said tool to move a first predetermined trajectory within and relative to said first putty;removing said tool from said first putty;providing a second therapeutic putty having a second predetermined resistance which is greater than said first predetermined resistance;inserting said first predetermined portion of said tool into said second putty;moving said tool to move a second predetermined trajectory within and relative to said second putty;after the user has caused said tool to move said second predetermined trajectory within and relative to said second putty, removing said tool from said second putty;providing a third therapeutic putty having a third predetermined resistance which is greater than said second predetermined resistance;inserting said first predetermined portion of said tool into said third putty; andmoving said tool to move a third predetermined trajectory within and relative to said third putty. 5. A method according to claim 4, wherein after the user first places the tool into the first putty and moves it a predetermined trajectory, then places the tool into the second putty and moves it a predetermined trajectory, and then repeats the steps and this time progressively increases the depth of insertion. 6. A method according to claim 4, wherein after the user first places the tool into the first putty and moves it a predetermined trajectory, then places the tool into the second putty and moves it a predetermined trajectory, then places the tool into the third putty and moves it a predetermined trajectory, and then repeats the steps and this time progressively increases the depth of insertion. 7. A method according to claim 4, wherein after the user first places the tool into the first putty and moves it a predetermined trajectory, the user then progressively increases the depth of insertion, and then places the tool into the second putty and moves it a predetermined trajectory, and then progressively increases the depth of insertion. 8. A method according to claim 4, wherein after the user first places the tool into the first putty and moves it a predetermined trajectory, the user then progressively increases the depth of insertion, and then places the tool into the second putty and moves it a predetermined trajectory, and then progressively increases the depth of insertion; and then places the tool into the third putty and moves it a predetermined trajectory, and then progressively increases the depth of insertion. 9. A method according to claim 4, including the step of: selecting said second predetermined portion of the tool from a group consisting of a shape of a bolt, a nut, a bottle cap, a key, a door knob, a peg, a digit extension loop, a pro/sup wheel, a crank, a plank, a “T” bar, and an “L” bar to permit the user to strengthen one or more muscles associated with the hand/forearm of the user, and/or to increase radial and ulnar deviation and forearm pronation and supination. 10. A method according to claim 4, including the step of: selecting said second predetermined portion of the tool from a group consisting of a shape of a bolt, a nut, a bottle cap, a key, a door knob, a peg, a digit extension loop, a pro/sup wheel, a crank, a plank, a “T” bar, and an “L” bar to permit the user to mimic a functional task, such as turning a door knob, opening a bottle cap, inserting and turning a key, turning and tightening a nut, and turning and tightening a bolt. 11. A method according to claim 5, including the step of: selecting said second predetermined portion of the tool from a group consisting of a shape of a bolt, a nut, a bottle cap, a key, a door knob, a peg, a digit extension loop, a pro/sup wheel, a crank, a plank, a “T” bar, and an “L” bar to permit the user to strengthen one or more muscles associated with the hand/forearm of the user, and/or to increase radial and ulnar deviation and forearm pronation and supination. 12. A method according to claim 5, including the step of: selecting said second predetermined portion of the tool from a group consisting of a shape of a bolt, a nut, a bottle cap, a key, a door knob, a peg, a digit extension loop, a pro/sup wheel, a crank, a plank, a “T” bar, and an “L” bar to permit the user to mimic a functional task, such as turning a door knob, opening a bottle cap, inserting and turning a key, turning and tightening a nut, and turning and tightening a bolt. 13. A method according to claim 6, including the step of: selecting said second predetermined portion of the tool from a group consisting of a shape of a bolt, a nut, a bottle cap, a key, a door knob, a peg, a digit extension loop, a pro/sup wheel, a crank, a plank, a “T” bar, and an “L” bar to permit the user to strengthen one or more muscles associated with the hand/forearm of the user, and/or to increase radial and ulnar deviation and forearm pronation and supination. 14. A method according to claim 6, including the step of: selecting said second predetermined portion of the tool from a group consisting of a shape of a bolt, a nut, a bottle cap, a key, a door knob, a peg, a digit extension loop, a pro/sup wheel, a crank, a plank, a “T” bar, and an “L” bar to permit the user to mimic a functional task, such as turning a door knob, opening a bottle cap, inserting and turning a key, turning and tightening a nut, and turning and tightening a bolt. 15. A hand/forearm therapy method, comprising the steps of: providing a first therapeutic putty having a first predetermined resistance;providing a first predetermined hand/forearm therapy exercise tool;inserting a first predetermined portion of said tool into said first putty;moving said tool to move a first predetermined trajectory within and relative to said first putty;removing said tool from said first putty;providing a second therapeutic putty having a second predetermined resistance which is greater than said first predetermined resistance;inserting said first predetermined portion of said tool into said second putty;moving said tool to move a second predetermined trajectory within and relative to said second putty;wherein after the user first places the tool into the first putty and moves it a predetermined trajectory, then places the tool into the second putty and moves it a predetermined trajectory, and then repeats the steps and this time progressively increases the depth of insertion. 16. A method according to claim 15, including the step of: selecting said second predetermined portion of the tool from a group consisting of a shape of a bolt, a nut, a bottle cap, a key, a door knob, a peg, a digit extension loop, a pro/sup wheel, a crank, a plank, a “T” bar, and an “L” bar to permit the user to strengthen one or more muscles associated with the hand/forearm of the user, and/or to increase radial and ulnar deviation and forearm pronation and supination. 17. A method according to claim 15, including the step of: selecting said second predetermined portion of the tool from a group consisting of a shape of a bolt, a nut, a bottle cap, a key, a door knob, a peg, a digit extension loop, a pro/sup wheel, a crank, a plank, a “T” bar, and an “L” bar to permit the user to mimic a functional task, such as turning a door knob, opening a bottle cap, inserting and turning a key, turning and tightening a nut, and turning and tightening a bolt. 18. A hand/forearm therapy method, comprising the steps of: providing a first therapeutic putty having a first predetermined resistance;providing a first predetermined hand/forearm therapy exercise tool;inserting a first predetermined portion of said tool into said first putty;moving said tool to move a first predetermined trajectory within and relative to said first putty;removing said tool from said first putty;providing a second therapeutic putty having a second predetermined resistance which is greater than said first predetermined resistance;inserting said first predetermined portion of said tool into said second putty;moving said tool to move second predetermined trajectory within and relative to said second putty;wherein after the user first places the tool into the first putty and moves it a predetermined trajectory, the user then progressively increases the depth of insertion, and then places the tool into the second putty and moves it a predetermined trajectory, and then progressively increases the depth of insertion. 19. A method according to claim 18, including the step of: selecting said second predetermined portion of the tool from a group consisting of a shape of a bolt, a nut, a bottle cap, a key, a door knob, a peg, a digit extension loop, a pro/sup wheel, a crank, a plank, a “T” bar, and an “L” bar to permit the user to strengthen one or more muscles associated with the hand/forearm of the user, and/or to increase radial and ulnar deviation and forearm pronation and supination. 20. A method according to claim 18, including the step of: selecting said second predetermined portion of the tool from a group consisting of a shape of a bolt, a nut, a bottle cap, a key, a door knob, a peg, a digit extension loop, a pro/sup wheel, a crank, a plank, a “T” bar, and an “L” bar to permit the user to mimic a functional task, such as turning a door knob, opening a bottle cap, inserting and turning a key, turning and tightening a nut, and turning and tightening a bolt. 21. A hand/forearm therapy method to provide an exercise for a patient by a treating therapist, comprising the steps of: providing a first therapeutic putty having a first predetermined resistance;providing a first predetermined hand/forearm therapy exercise tool;inserting a first predetermined portion of said tool into said first putty;moving said tool to move a first predetermined trajectory within and relative to said first putty;removing said tool from said first putty;reinserting the tool into the first putty at various times to continue increasing the resistance to moving the tool therein;providing a second therapeutic putty having a second predetermined resistance which is greater than said first predetermined resistance;inserting said first predetermined portion of said tool into said second putty;moving said tool to move a second predetermined trajectory within and relative to said second putty;removing the tool from said second putty; andreinserting the tool into the second putty at various times to continue increasing the resistance to moving the tool therein. 22. A method according to claim 21, wherein: after the patient has caused said tool to move said second predetermined trajectory within and relative to said second putty, removing said tool from said second putty;providing a third therapeutic putty having a third predetermined resistance which is greater than said second predetermined resistance;inserting said first predetermined portion of said tool into said third putty; andmoving said tool to move a third predetermined trajectory within and relative to said third putty. 23. A method according to claim 22, including the steps of: removing the tool from said third putty; andreinserting the tool into the third putty at various times to continue increasing the resistance to moving the tool therein. 24. A method according to claim 21, including the step of: mimicking a functional task, such as turning a door knob, opening a bottle cap, inserting and turning a key, turning and tightening a nut, and turning and tightening a bolt. 25. A method according to claim 21, wherein: exercise time, resistance, and form of exercise is determined by the treating therapist. 26. A method according to claim 21, wherein: the type of said predetermined hand/forearm therapy exercise tool is determined by the treating therapist. 27. A method according to claim 21, including the step of: selecting said second predetermined portion of the tool from a group consisting of a shape of a bolt, a nut, a bottle cap, a key, a door knob, a peg, a digit extension loop, a pro/sup wheel, a crank, a plank, a “T” bar, and an “L” bar to permit the user to strengthen one or more muscles associated with the hand/forearm of the user, and/or to increase radial and ulnar deviation and forearm pronation and supination. 28. A method according to claim 21, including the step of: selecting said second predetermined portion of the tool from a group consisting of a shape of a bolt, a nut, a bottle cap, a key, a door knob, a peg, a digit extension loop, a pro/sup wheel, a crank, a plank, a “T” bar, and an “L” bar to permit the user to mimic a functional task, such as turning a door knob, opening a bottle cap, inserting and turning a key, turning and tightening a nut, and turning and tightening a bolt. 29. A hand/forearm therapy method, comprising the steps of: providing a first therapeutic putty having a first predetermined resistance;providing a first predetermined hand/forearm therapy exercise tool having a first predetermined portion having a first predetermined shape and configuration for insertion into said first therapeutic putty, and a second predetermined portion having a second predetermined shape and configuration enabling the user to manipulate the tool to cause said tool to move in a predetermined trajectory within and relative to said putty, and said first predetermined shape and configuration of said first portion providing a predetermined resistance to movement of said tool within and relative to said first putty;inserting said first predetermined portion of said tool into said first putty;moving said tool to move a first predetermined trajectory within and relative to said first puttyremoving said tool from said first putty;providing a second therapeutic putty having a second predetermined resistance which is greater than said first predetermined resistance;inserting said first predetermined portion of said tool into said second putty; andmoving said tool to move a second predetermined trajectory within and relative to said second putty.