Early in 2024, I noticed I was losing the feeling in my hands and arms. I started to attend therapy at the Hawthorn Clinic in Kentville, Nova Scotia. I didn't need a referral, so I went in to book acupuncture, massage therapy, and chiropractic. Daniel had been going there as he tripped on a PuppiDawg hole on the grounds and hurt his shoulder.
Duncan, Rachel, and Sarah have been overseeing my progress, and I am much better than I was before. One of the exercises I was assigned was to get a squeeze stress ball to put into my hands to fiddle with.
My friend Karen bought me a stress ball to manipulate.
The act of just closing your hand with some tension is really interesting. Though at first you feel like a gym queen, it's actually pretty tough.
Rolling the ball in my hand and squeezing feels interesting. The point is to stretch your hand and fingers in the act of playing with it as you tend to be moving your hand and fingers in a different motion.
I'm not a doctor but it's a great tool to have. So if you are stuck in a conversation that is long-winded, grab your ball and pretend to be choking the crap out of someone as they speak to you. Just tell them your exercising. If you break a sweat doing this, you may be doing it too rough! Just saying!
Rea Winton says
This is a brief yet informative and entertaining article. I have started to notice pins and needles in my fingers and hands lately when crocheting a lot. I will find a stress ball and try this out. I know a few people who have been trying to push my buttons, so I will think, "I'm crushing your head," while doing my exercises around them.