In hand therapy practices or rehab clinics, the AnyHand creates more therapy time. Additional time for movement therapy has been experienced by Annette herself. Annette was one of the first patients of Beate's hand therapy practice to train with the AnyHand from the beginning and tells her story here.
Annette in therapy practice with the AnyHand Dear Anette, we are already curious about what you will tell us today. How did you end up in the hand therapy practice?
In my case, the whole thing started with a shoulder operation, after which I had to immobilize my right arm for six weeks. When I started to move my arm again, I felt that something was wrong with my hand.
What exactly did you feel?
My hand felt like a lump. I could hardly move it and it was very swollen. After a few visits to the doctor, CRPS was [1] My symptoms were somewhat atypical, as I had no pain, but everything else pointed to CRPS.
How was CRPS treated?
I was prescribed occupational therapy and then came to Beate Jung's practice in Munich, which specializes in hand therapy.
And when did the AnyHand come along?
I have actually been using the AnyHand from my first appointment so about 4 months ago. In the beginning, I was mostly before the therapy with the therapist on the AnyHand to warm up and loosen up the hand. Later on we started with the manual therapy and afterwards I continued to train on the AnyHand for 20-30 minutes. In general, I usually went to therapy once or twice a week. From time to time I could also come by to just sit at the AnyHand and let my hand move through. Then I sat at the AnyHand for 20-30 minutes and could jet off again with my loosened hand, which was great.
How did that affect your hand?
It was just the right thing to start therapy with, because I just got my fingers moving without my own strength. I think that was exactly what I needed: My hand felt that my fingers could move. So it was also a head thing and I had the feeling that the training with AnyHand was helping me with that. This steady, very gentle and quiet movement did me a lot of good.
We're glad to hear that you found it enjoyable. Then you've been training with the AnyHand for quite a while. Has anything changed over time?
Absolutely. I was able to close my hand more and more into a fist again, and as I progressed, we also increased the degrees, i.e. how far AnyHand opens and closes the hand. Each time after the therapy, I immediately felt that the hand felt looser for some time after moving through, probably also because the movement removed the accumulated fluid.
This then also helped the swelling to become weaker?
Yes exactly. The swelling went down after a while. In addition to the pleasant feeling, the AnyHand thus also contributed to mobility. So later it was more about increasing the range of motion and getting the hand used to the fact that more and more is possible.
So you were quite pleased with the supportive therapy provided by AnyHand?
For me it was great! It was the combination I really needed, i.e. manual therapy with the therapist and the training with AnyHand.
How is your hand today?
Of course, much better than at the beginning of the therapy. I can almost completely close my hand into a fist and straighten it again. However, fine motor activities such as writing with a pen are still very challenging. Also the swelling has not completely disappeared yet, unfortunately my rings do not fit yet. That's why I continue to receive therapy, also on the AnyHand.
Thank you for the interview. We wish you every success in your therapy!
[1] Complex regional pain syndrome is a neurological pain disorder that can occur after bodily injuries resulting from fractures or surgery and can cause various nonspecific symptoms.
