Last year, due to an uncoordinated move in a corral, I hurt
my right hand. I’m right-handed, so I
was concerned that the little bone chip was going to cause me ongoing
pain. Then I met Krista Keiper, an
occupational therapist, who works at Teton Medical Center and other facilities
throughout the Golden Triangle area.
Through therapy and exercises, Krista and I were able to make remarkable
improvement to the injured area. Because
of my experience, I got a little shot of empathy for those experiencing pain as
they try to use their hands.
Some of us have very specific hobbies that bring enjoyment
to our lives, but that rely heavily on hand function and dexterity. I think of those who quilt, knit, crochet,
embroider, bead, tie flies, and play musical instruments. So many of the tasks hobbyists perform
require small postures and hand movements. Hand movements do not happen in
isolation. Hand function is connected to
shoulder function, and many of these movements are repetitive, which can add to
our hand habits. It would make sense to
give your hands, and all the other parts they connect to, a hand by learning
about exercises and therapies you can perform yourself.
When Krista Keiper, OTR/L, offered to share from her 36
years of professional experience, I was not going to be a fool and miss the
opportunity. On April 1, Keiper will
discuss hand care and functioning, from 10-11 a.m. at the Alice Gleason Room of
the Choteau Public Library. The class
will be held in conjunction with Teton Quilting Friends and MSU Teton County
Extension. The class is free of charge
and open to the public, but a registration is requested by contacting the
Extension Office.
Don’t miss this April Fools’ Day event. You’d be a fool to underestimate how
important hand care is.
To register for class, email me at jwolery@montana.edu
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