Feeding Pancho, Weight Training, and Kinesio Tape

Meet Pancho Gonzales. He's a hungry tennis ball, and what he craves most are pennies. At my last hand therapy appointment I was asked to feed him. This required squeezing Pancho so that he opened wide for each bite, one penny at a time. Gradually, his belly filled with pennies and my hand became more and more exhausted.

Pancho lives at the clinic. At home I continue to use the green putty to strengthen my pinch, as well as myriad commonplace activities that serve to strengthen the pinch and grip. I continue to use hand weights to strengthen my wrist: bicep curls and some rotational motions with elbows kept at 90 degrees and close to my sides.

According to Diane, my OT, I do not need any more therapy. My excellent progress will continue as I put my hand through the paces of daily life, plus the exercises. That's good news since I'll be off to the Oregon coast next week. She encouraged me to call the clinic when I return if I feel like I need another visit, so I haven't been completely cut loose.

By the way, check out that scar above in the "Meet Pancho" picture. It looks amazing. There is one place along the scar that is a bit darker and seems to have adhesions beneath, but it's still improving. Kinesio Tape does an amazing job of stimulating healing of the scar area.