Healthy Hands: Mindful in practice

Dear Physiotherapist…are you mindful-in-practice?

Taking in the therapist-position next to plinth and client, this is where I have experienced a wide variety of emotions.  From being inspired by the human interaction, always asking questions and wanting to know more about my clients, to being in awe at how wonderfully connected and complex the human body is.  Following a client assessment, my hands automatically start rubbing together, the brain-hand connection imprinted through 16 years of repetition.

It is also next to the plinth, where I have experienced tiredness of hands, a full day of performing manual therapy to relieve pain and stiffness…Hands perform many tasks in the recovery process; hands allow us to experience the ‘superpower’ to practically feels, sense, analyse, press, hold, massage, release and mobilise.

Suddenly my brain becomes aware of an uncomfortable sensation in the right thumb.  The treatment session has only started, stopping is not an option, taking a step back and quitting is not in my vocabulary.  Changing my hand position is unfamiliar and not the correct method I was instructed in!

Occupational injuries can be prevented by increasing your knowledge in mindful practice while using your hands, modification of certain techniques and looking after your hands.

Push on or make a change?  What do you think?

To be able to perform your craft pain free, this is my intent and wish for you…

Much love,

Monique Keller

Chairperson of The Helping Hand Amplified Team