Thursday, November 21, 2013
Hand & Wrist Exercise & Handmaster Plus
I have been asked to post a brief history as to why I developed Handmaster Plus hand and wrist exercise. Here it is:
Handmaster Plus
Hand & Wrist Exercise & Handmaster Plus. Why?
There is much misinformation and misunderstanding regarding hand muscles and proper balanced hand and finger exercise. To follow is a summary why we have spent the last 13 years researching and developing Handmaster Plus so that proper hand exercise principles can be followed and understood easily. Poor hand exercise and repetitive stress/grip injury (RSI) have been at the root cause of finger, thumb, hand, wrist, carpal tunnel, forearm and elbow imbalance conditions and poor performance for decades - and is especially the case in our current computer, smartphone and video game crazed society.
There is much misinformation and misunderstanding regarding hand muscles and proper balanced hand and finger exercise. To follow is a summary why we have spent the last 13 years researching and developing Handmaster Plus so that proper hand exercise principles can be followed and understood easily. Poor hand exercise and repetitive stress/grip injury (RSI) have been at the root cause of finger, thumb, hand, wrist, carpal tunnel, forearm and elbow imbalance conditions and poor performance for decades - and is especially the case in our current computer, smartphone and video game crazed society.
Here is a recap of hand muscles, Handmaster Plus and
balanced hand exercise applications.
The 9 muscles that close the hand are
located generally on the front of the hand, wrist, forearm and elbow. Equally,
the 9 muscles that open the hand
are generally located on the back of the hand, wrist, forearm and elbow.
Most people have very strong shortened closing (grip) muscles, due to
repetitive gripping, but very weak hand opening muscles. This imbalance
threatens the health and stability of the lower arm and hand. Due to the diversity
of the hand muscles, in order to have strong, healthy fingers,
thumbs, hand, wrist, carpal tunnel, forearm and elbow, the muscles
that open and close the hand must be in balance.
Handmaster Plus™ is unique in
its ability to exercise the hand through full, natural planes and ranges of motion,
through both the opening and closing actions. It
strengthens and balances all 18 hand muscles in one simple continuous exercise.
So Simple. No mess. Nothing to misunderstand. USERS WILL COMPLY!
In practise, when I used to use multiple exercises, multiple balls and elastic bands and putty, very few patients ever followed through consistently. It was just too confusing and really did not properly address true planes and ranges of motion ROM.
Other hand exercise products dictate how and where
the hand must move in an exercise, often only in 2-dimensions and not nearly through
the full range of motion (ROM’s). Not Handmaster Plus™… It
allows the natural 3-dimensional motion of the hand to dictate the motion of
the exercise. The result is optimal muscle strength, balance and flexibility,
as well as comprehensive nerve stimulation and maximum blood flow and
venous/lymphatic drainage to and away from all of the tissues.
Compare the Handmaster Plus™ to other products and
consider:
1.Is the hand moving through all
ranges of motion, both opening & closing?
2.Is the hand moving naturally, in
3 dimensions?
3.Are all peripheral nerves to the
hand being stimulated (median, ulnar & radial nerves)?
The Handmaster Plus™ is an all-around finger, thumb,
hand, wrist, carpal tunnel, forearm & elbow training, rehabilitation and
injury prevention solution.
The product is designed by Dr. Terry P. Zachary,
a health care professional and former professional golfer.
“I originally designed the product to train finger
and thumb extension and abduction for performance enhancement and injury
prevention,” says Dr. Zachary. “It worked out as well as I could have imagined.
As I used it in practice, it also became my perfect final phase protocol for
most finger, thumb, hand, wrist, carpal tunnel, forearm and elbow conditions.”
“Explain the desired exercise to your patient or athlete and send them
on their way. It is so easy to understand and use. Daily use of Handmaster Plus
will improve their muscle strength, balance and stability, as well as improve
blood flow and lymph drainage to all tissues and joint surfaces in the area.
This will re-establish the efficient supply of oxygen and nutrients and improve
the transport of toxins away from the tissues. Ultimately, the tissues are
brought to an optimal state and the risk of reoccurring injury, adhesions and
scar formation is greatly reduced. The key to the success of the product is how
the body naturally reacts to daily, balanced exercise through full, natural,
3-dimensional planes of motion. The user just opens and closes their hand. So
simple.”
Now Handmaster Plus is changing the way people exercise and rehabilitate their hands worldwide.
Follow hand and wrist exerciser link to get more information on Handmaster Plus
Labels: carpal tunnel, elbow, exerciser, finger, hand, hand and wrist exercise, hand exerciser, Handmaster Plus, thumb, wrist, wrist exerciser
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Finger Exercise for Classical Guitar Carpal Tunnel
I recently ran into a great blog for classical guitarists, for whom I have the utmost respect (and strong hint of jealousy as a wannabe guitarist, especially picker). Classical guitar is beautiful, difficult to learn and can be challenging on the body, especially the hand, carpal tunnel wrist and elbow... all due to repetitive gripping. When I see classical guitarists not understanding the finger exercise application of Handmaster Plus as a MUST-HAVE training aid to keeping them strong, performing well and preventing injury, I have to comment... otherwise carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow will continue to run rampant.
I have been working with repetitive grip injuries for 20+ years. If you play guitar, you WILL develop finger muscle imbalance - it is simply a fact relating to the mechanics of gripping. If your technique is better, the imbalance may be less. Regarding carpal tunnel syndrome, there is a basic muscle imbalance at play here which will be shared by ALL guitarists. Several of the intrinsic finger muscles that contract repetitively in both the cording hand and picking hand are attached to the transverse carpal ligament, the roof of the carpal tunnel. There is nothing to offset the shortening of these small muscles and thus the space within the carpal tunnel changes and pressure within the carpal tunnel increases putting the median nerve at risk. Strengthen the muscles that oppose flexion (grip) and you remain strong, healthy and in balance. It is not an emotional topic to me, just factual. I used to see musicians come in over and over with this same simple muscle imbalance displaying as carpal tunnel syndrome or tennis elbow mostly - and yet no one in the music industry to this day has any idea of what to do except 'treat' the symptoms (rest, ice, cortisone, etc). It appears that no one (other than my group) has worked to understand the imbalance itself. It is not complicated. It is the same imbalance seen in repetitive-grip athletes and workers for over 20 years.
We used to give patients multiple exercises (elastic bands, grippers, etc.). But they would not resist accurately through full ROM's and the patient wouldn't find time or wouldn't remember them. Now since developing Handmaster Plus, the musician will easily be able to exercise all 18 hand muscles (the 9 that close AND the 9 that open the hand) through full natural ROM's in one easy, continuous exercise. Muscle balance couldn't be easier. The only barrier to proper training for the hand, wrist and elbow NOW is the musician or poor advice.
Do not misunderstand, Handmaster Plus is a 'training tool' and a 'rehabilitation tool', not a stand alone treatment tool. It is designed to maintain balance, prevent injury or rehab/rebalance injuries (after proper treatment). If you are have acute pain Handmaster Plus is not meant as a panacea in place of a health care professional. See your doctor for acute treatment - and then advise them about using Handmaster Plus as a complimentary rehab and rebalancing exercise after treatment protocol. In other words, SO IT DOESN'T DEVELOP AGAIN! Most doctors do not understand the mechanics of grip or the cause of carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow. If they did this simple flexor vs extensor muscle tone imbalance would not be such a neglected issue and musicians would understand and act accordingly. When I see musicians say to visit a doctor and not use Handmaster Plus, I find it humorous. Repetitive grip activities CAUSE muscle imbalance. If you do not think for yourself and learn about your body (in this case the interplay between the grip muscles and the hand opening muscles (the grip stabilizers), you will never understand this imbalance and always be chasing your symptoms. You must offset this inherent muscle imbalance if you expect to stay healthy and strong, play well and prevent injuries from classical guitar. Keep in mind the flexor/extensor muscle balance issue is also at the root of most classical guitar elbow, wrist, finger and thumb problems as well - so it is no small subject if you are serious (which I find most classical guitarists are!). Thanks for the opportunity to speak on this most vital muscle imbalance. I hope I can influence classical guitarists toTHINK and train properly BEFORE this conversation so that they likely never enter it. Your performance and injury risk are both at stake. Feel free to ask me any questions at info@doczac.com or visit www.handmasterplus.com for more information.
I have been working with repetitive grip injuries for 20+ years. If you play guitar, you WILL develop finger muscle imbalance - it is simply a fact relating to the mechanics of gripping. If your technique is better, the imbalance may be less. Regarding carpal tunnel syndrome, there is a basic muscle imbalance at play here which will be shared by ALL guitarists. Several of the intrinsic finger muscles that contract repetitively in both the cording hand and picking hand are attached to the transverse carpal ligament, the roof of the carpal tunnel. There is nothing to offset the shortening of these small muscles and thus the space within the carpal tunnel changes and pressure within the carpal tunnel increases putting the median nerve at risk. Strengthen the muscles that oppose flexion (grip) and you remain strong, healthy and in balance. It is not an emotional topic to me, just factual. I used to see musicians come in over and over with this same simple muscle imbalance displaying as carpal tunnel syndrome or tennis elbow mostly - and yet no one in the music industry to this day has any idea of what to do except 'treat' the symptoms (rest, ice, cortisone, etc). It appears that no one (other than my group) has worked to understand the imbalance itself. It is not complicated. It is the same imbalance seen in repetitive-grip athletes and workers for over 20 years.
We used to give patients multiple exercises (elastic bands, grippers, etc.). But they would not resist accurately through full ROM's and the patient wouldn't find time or wouldn't remember them. Now since developing Handmaster Plus, the musician will easily be able to exercise all 18 hand muscles (the 9 that close AND the 9 that open the hand) through full natural ROM's in one easy, continuous exercise. Muscle balance couldn't be easier. The only barrier to proper training for the hand, wrist and elbow NOW is the musician or poor advice.
Do not misunderstand, Handmaster Plus is a 'training tool' and a 'rehabilitation tool', not a stand alone treatment tool. It is designed to maintain balance, prevent injury or rehab/rebalance injuries (after proper treatment). If you are have acute pain Handmaster Plus is not meant as a panacea in place of a health care professional. See your doctor for acute treatment - and then advise them about using Handmaster Plus as a complimentary rehab and rebalancing exercise after treatment protocol. In other words, SO IT DOESN'T DEVELOP AGAIN! Most doctors do not understand the mechanics of grip or the cause of carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow. If they did this simple flexor vs extensor muscle tone imbalance would not be such a neglected issue and musicians would understand and act accordingly. When I see musicians say to visit a doctor and not use Handmaster Plus, I find it humorous. Repetitive grip activities CAUSE muscle imbalance. If you do not think for yourself and learn about your body (in this case the interplay between the grip muscles and the hand opening muscles (the grip stabilizers), you will never understand this imbalance and always be chasing your symptoms. You must offset this inherent muscle imbalance if you expect to stay healthy and strong, play well and prevent injuries from classical guitar. Keep in mind the flexor/extensor muscle balance issue is also at the root of most classical guitar elbow, wrist, finger and thumb problems as well - so it is no small subject if you are serious (which I find most classical guitarists are!). Thanks for the opportunity to speak on this most vital muscle imbalance. I hope I can influence classical guitarists toTHINK and train properly BEFORE this conversation so that they likely never enter it. Your performance and injury risk are both at stake. Feel free to ask me any questions at info@doczac.com or visit www.handmasterplus.com for more information.
Labels: carpal tunnel, classical guitar, finger exercise, Handmaster Plus, repetitive grip, tennis elbow
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Hand and Finger Exercise In 2013 - Why Handmaster Plus is a Must Have
There is much misinformation and misunderstanding regarding hand muscles and proper balanced hand and finger exercise. To follow is a summary why we have spent the last 13 years researching and developing Handmaster Plus so that proper hand exercise principles could be followed and understood easily. Poor hand exercise and repetitive grip (RSI) has been the root cause of finger, thumb, hand, wrist, carpal tunnel and elbow imbalance conditions and poor performance for decades - and is especially the case in our current computer, smartphone and video game crazy society.
Here is a recap of hand muscles, Handmaster Plus and balanced hand exercise applications.
The 9 muscles that close the
hand are located generally on the front of the hand, wrist, forearm and
elbow. The 9 muscles that open the hand
are generally located on the back of the hand, wrist, forearm and elbow.
Most people have very strong closing (grip) muscles, due to repetitive
gripping, but very weak hand opening muscles. This imbalance threatens the
health of the lower arm and hand. Due to the diversity of the hand muscles, in order to have strong, healthy hands,
wrists, carpal tunnels, forearms and elbows, the muscles that open and
close the hand must be in balance.
Handmaster Plus™ is unique due to its ability to
exercise the hand through full, natural planes of motion, through both the opening
and closing actions. It strengthens and balances all 18 hand muscles in one exercise.
Other products dictate how and where the hand must move
in an exercise, often only in 2-dimensions and not through the full range of
motion. Not Handmaster Plus™… It allows the natural motion of the
hand to dictate the motion of the exercise. The result is optimal muscle
strength, balance and flexibility, as well as comprehensive nerve stimulation,
blood flow and venous/lymphatic drainage to and away from the area.
Compare the Handmaster Plus™ to other products and
consider:
- Is
the hand moving through all ranges of motion, both opening & closing?
- Is
the hand moving naturally, in 3 dimensions?
- Are
all peripheral nerves to the hand being stimulated (median, ulnar &
radial)?
The Handmaster Plus™ is an all-around hand, wrist, carpal
tunnel, forearm & elbow training, rehabilitation and injury prevention
solution.
The product is designed by Dr. Terry P. Zachary, a
health care professional and former professional golfer.
“I originally designed the product to train finger and thumb
extension and abduction for performance enhancement and injury prevention”,
says Dr. Zachary. “It worked out as well as I could have ever imagined. As I
used it in practice, it also became my perfect final phase protocol for most
hand, wrist, carpal tunnel, forearm and elbow conditions.”
“Explain the desired exercise to your patient and send them
on their way. Daily use of the product will improve their muscle strength,
balance and stability, as well as improve blood flow and lymph drainage to all
tissues and joint surfaces in the area. This will re-establish the efficient
supply of oxygen and nutrients and improve the transport of toxins away from
the tissue. Ultimately, the tissue is brought to an optimal situation and the
risk of reoccurring adhesions and scar formation is greatly reduced. The key to
the success of the product is how the body naturally reacts to daily, balanced
exercise through full, natural planes of motion. The user just opens and closes
their hand. So simple.”
Handmaster Plus™ Practice Applications:
(**Use 1-3 times/day until comfortable fatigue.
Practitioner determines strength of product used.)
Summary
|
Why Handmaster Plus?
|
|
1. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
|
Repetitive
flexion activity resulting in shortened and/or inflamed flexor tendons is
most often causative. Bone & joint alignment are affected. Muscular
imbalance and/or swelling precipitate a decrease in the space of the carpal
tunnel. Median nerve pathology results.
|
1.
Equalizes the ratio between flexor and extensor muscle strength.
2.
Strengthens finger and thumb abduction.
3.
Increases blood flow and lymph drainage through the CT.
4.
Exercises muscles through full, natural planes of motion.
|
2. Lateral Epicondylitis
(Tennis Elbow)
|
Overuse
or direct injury occurs to the tendon(s) of a finger and/or wrist extensor
muscle at its origin, the lateral epicondyle (of the humerus). Weakness and/or tendon pathology (usually avascularity) is
often causative.
|
1.
Strengthens all finger extensor AND wrist extensor muscles (see tennis elbow
exercise).
2.
Equalizes the ratio between flexor and extensor muscle strength.
3.
Increases blood flow and lymph drainage.
4.
Exercises muscles through full, natural planes of motion.
|
3. Medial Epicondylitis
(Golfer’s Elbow)
|
Overuse
or direct injury occurs to the tendon(s) of a finger and/or wrist flexor
muscle(s) at its origin, the medial epicondyle (of the humerus). Weakness
and/or tendon pathology (usually
avascularity) is often causative.
|
1.
Strengthens the finger flexor muscles.
2.
Equalizes the ratio between flexor and extensor muscle strength.
3.
Increases blood flow and lymph drainage.
4.
Exercises muscles through full, natural planes of motion.
|
4. Osteoarthritis
|
Many
varying causative factors for joint inflammation including overuse,
traumatic, metabolic & genetic origins. Painful swelling, nodules &
reduced ROM are common physical findings.
|
1.
Increases blood flow and lymph drainage to/from cartilage.
2.
Improves range of motion. 3.
Exercises muscles through full, natural planes of motion.
*Begin
by using soft product & progress as indicated. If patient cannot perform
basic exercises with soft product, discontinue.
|
5. Osteoporosis
|
Decrease
bone density resulting from factors such as metabolic factors, sedentary
lifestyle, aging and poor diet. Fracture potential resulting from minor
trauma is greatly increased.
|
1. Resistive exercises stimulate increased Ca+/element
absorption and bone formation ,Wolfe’s Law
2.
Increases blood flow (O2 & nutrients) and lymph drainage.
4.
Exercises muscles through full, natural planes of motion.
|
6. Circulation/ Post-mastectomy, / Reflex Sympathetic
Dystrophy/ Raynaud’s Disease
|
General
group of conditions resulting in a reduction of normal blood flow to the
hand, wrist and forearm.
|
1.
Stimulates an increase of blood flow and lymph drainage to the area.
|
Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI’s)
|
Repetitive,
imbalanced daily actions result in overuse, tissue imbalance and/or injury.
Ergonomic and wellness exercise principles are generally ignored. Workers are
physically not prepared for their workload.
|
1.
Equalizes the ratio between flexor and extensor muscle strength (strength
& balance).
2.
Increases blood flow and lymph drainage to the area.
3.
Exercises muscles through full, natural planes of motion.
4.
It is a complete, convenient and cost-effective workplace injury solution.
Everyone happy.
|
Neuropathy/ Stroke Rehabilitation/ Nerve Palsies/
Spinal Cord Injury/Intention Tremor/ Parkinson’s Disease
|
Many
causative factors result in an interruption in the conduction or coordination
of nerve messages to cells, tissues (especially muscle) & organs.
|
1.
Classically, putty or sponge balls are used in rehabilitation. The radial
nerve is not stimulated unless extension & abductor muscles are used.
Handmaster Plus™ stimulates ALL peripheral nerve roots. *Begin by using soft
product & progress as indicated.
|
Injury, Sprain & Fracture
Rehabilitation/Post-Surgery Rehabilitation
|
Sprains
& fractures are generally not rehabilitated and instead left to heal
without thought of scar formation & ROM recovery. Post-surgery cases
usually include very little or no follow-up exercise program. Any post
injury/surgery exercise is usually limited to putty or a squeeze ball.
|
1.
Exercises muscles through full, natural planes of motion.
2.
Ensures blood flow and lymph drainage for prevention of chronic adhesion.
3.
Equalizes the ratio between flexor and extensor muscle strength, ensuring
optimal ROM & recovery.
|
Athletic Performance Enhancement & Injury
Prevention
|
Generally
accepted principles in athletic training involve strengthening reciprocal
muscle groups and preparing the body completely for competition. Any edge
that can be given to the athlete increases the chance of success. Many sports
are based on daily repetitive gripping in competition, practice and training.
|
1.
The only product to strengthen finger/thumb extension and abduction (7
muscles previously neglected). Increase speed, control & stamina of
muscles that open and spread the hand.
2.
Equalizes the ratio between flexor and extensor muscle strength, ensuring
optimal performance and injury prevention.
|
Musician Performance Enhancement & Injury
Prevention
|
Stamina,
coordination, range of motion and injury prevention are all important for
musical performance and longevity. Many musical pursuits are based on daily
repetitive gripping in competition, practice and training.
|
1.
The only product to strengthen finger/thumb extension and abduction (7
muscles). 2. Equalizes
the ratio between flexor and extensor muscle strength, ensuring optimal
performance and injury prevention.
|
DeQuervain’s Syndrome
|
Caused by repetitive motion where the thumb is constantly being
required to move up and down - such as when using a computer keyboard or
typewriter.
|
1.
Equalizes the ratio between flexor and extensor muscles.
2.
Increases blood flow and lymph drainage to the area.
3.
Strengthens thumb extensor and abductor muscles.
|
Labels: carpal tunnel, finger exercise, hand exercise, hand strength, Handmaster Plus, lateral epicondylitis, tennis elbow
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Hand & Finger Grip Strength Exercises & Bad Posture to the Hand Wrist & Elbow
I can't say I know how it happened, but hand muscle strengthening and grip strength exercises have been poorly misinterpreted in our society for decades. And the resultant problems are rampant. Yet health experts claim that the cause of hand, wrist, carpal tunnel & elbow imbalance is mostly unknown. The anatomy has been there in clear site in Grey's Anatomy since 1858!
Think of what you have been told over the years regarding hand strength exercises. Were you given or told to get a tennis ball, a racquetball, a coiled gripper, a spring-loaded gripper or a stress ball to squeeze repetitively to help you with your hand strength? I was. And It may have felt as though you were getting stronger in the short-term using these items, but in the long term these 'grip-only' items promote imbalance to the hand, wrist, carpal tunnel & elbow. On their own they are inefficient at best... harmful at worst.
We know so much more about hand muscles and hand & finger strength exercises today. There are nine muscles that close the hand (that are generally located on the front of the hand, wrist, forearm and elbow) as well as nine muscles that open the hand (that are generally located on the back of the hand, wrist, forearm and elbow). They work in unison to make each key peck, flex, grab and grip that we do every day. And yet we do such a poor job of taking care of them. Why would we ever think it is a good exercise to only address the nine muscles that close the hand? Because this is what tradition has led us to believe. Our consumer culture provides what we ask for... and we don't know the difference - until now!
And, inevitably, this same imbalance is at the core of so many mysterious finger, thumb, hand, wrist, carpal tunnel, forearm and elbow injuries, yet our ignorance of hand muscle anatomy & balance leaves us clueless as to the cause. Instead we mostly focus on managing the symptoms of the resulting imbalance condition. This is always an inadequate approach. Even experts in computers, smartphones, gaming, sports, music and workplace ergonomics are still adhering to this archaic 'grip-only' advice in strengthening this area. It is the blind leading the blind. There can be no way to accomplish strength, balance and stability with this hand strength exercise approach.
Handmaster Plus combines multiple complicated exercises into very few balanced exercises that allow the user to train through full balanced natural ranges of motion. Great for users, trainers and therapists. People understand the concept of hand muscle balance exercises affecting the stability of the hand, wrist, carpal tunnel & elbow once they hear it. The problem is the dense traditional belief system that society has created about 'grip-only' hand exercise (i.e. the acceptance of coiled grippers, spring-loaded grippers & stress balls, tennis balls, etc.) or no exercise.
We are educating 100's per day and we appreciate your assistance in spreading the word. These are very preventable conditions if we just recognize the imbalance that occurs from regular gripping. Repetitive gripping is much the same concept as bad posture. We would never strengthen the 'flexing' muscles of the core to correct bad posture. Yet this is just what we do in hand muscle balance every day... we keep advancing the flexion imbalance and thus we keep seeing hand, wrist, carpal tunnel and elbow instability... let's address hand muscle balance exercises from the start and stabilize these vitally key muscles & joints!
The other key factor of complete balanced exercise is that we stimulate maximum blood flow. Blood flow is how we get vital oxygen & nutrients to our tissues. Why would anyone only use a small range of any muscle. Move as fully as you are safely able for optimum tissue health. It applies everywhere in your body, not just the hand, wrist & elbow....
For more information on Handmaster Plus or to purchase, click the following link: hand finger strength exercise
Labels: carpal tunnel, exerciser, finger, finger exercises, grip strength, hand, hand exercises, Handmaster Plus, wrist
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