Hand classes

Hey guys, was wondering if anybody could help. I have recently taken over the running of a hand class, but have found the class to be lacking. Patients are coming in and tend to have more of a mothers meeting then a class session! I find this frustrating as they all then moan that they're not getting better!
Main problems seen in class and various fractures and RA. Does anybody run a similar class and do you have any ideas for how I can make this more dynamic and fun for both the patients and myself?? Any info greatly recieved!

Thank you
Rich

Hi Rich

I dont run a hand class as such but teach Clinical Pilates as part of being a physio. I got interested reading your "problem" - (I'm a new mum and ran a couple of classes with new mums and I know what we can be like!).

Anyway, not sure what functional level your group is at, but wondering if you have tried the following:

UL weight-bearing exercises: eg wall pushups, kneeling on fours, - gives a more "challenging" objective like a pushup and makes them feel like they have "exercised"

Sitting on Swiss Ball (SB) and pulling on Theraband's (TB) - try sitting forwards on SB with feet and knees together on ground and pulling on TB. As a further challenge, get them to lift their heels off the ground while holding onto tension in the TB.

Kneading dough, making cookies, making pasta etc etc for strengthening fingers. Knitting, sewing etc for their kids or to sell to fund raise for charity.

Good luck!

Elin

I started laughing reading this one and the last response (I'm a new mom too and ya...we do tend go on!!), so I thought I should at least add my two bits!
Have worked with people in a return to work setting (mostly men...the difference is they talked about hunting instead of babies) and had some of the same issues.
My advise would be to be creative with exercises as noted in the last response. Do the typical "physio exercises" but add in elements of pilates, yoga etc. Lots of education too - get them talking about something else. And probably the most important (as far as I'm concerned) is goal setting. Make them accountable for their progress. Make them aware of what they are doing and why. In almost every group, there is usually at least one person that will switch from moaning to encouraging & motivating not only themselves but the people around them (yes, even women!!!).

Great question, I was also laughing...., and, yes, I am a mum, too.
The suggestions are good, I specifically like the idea of goal setting.
At the end of each class, get your group to discuss for 5 min which specific goal they would like to attack in the next class. This also gives you some time to prepare.
I have once used a session with warm water. Organised big washing bowls (are you in a public hospital), filled them up with warm water and did exercises in there. For the children's class, I added a drop of food colouring. Got a bit messy, but was fun anyhow.
The cooking class thing is also nice, it could led to sharing the food after the class (if you have got some space available for this) and finally give them time to do the chatting...
Have you got an OT in your team? They have also really good functional "toys and games".
Cheers,
Fyzzio