Groundbreaking new text book
This book is the first of its kind on the subject of people with connective tissue disorders. Scientific evidence from many professionals and management techniques are presented. I’m delighted to be able to include my chapters here on the website, and thank the publishers for allowing me to do so.
Physiotherapy and occupational therapy in the hypermobile adult – Chapter 9
Regional complications in joint hypermobility syndrome – the hand – Chapter 12
Neurology of Music
I am delighted to announce that Neurology of Music has just been published and includes my chapter on Focal Hand Dystonia Affecting Musicians. My work presents the latest research on how to effectively treat this often debilitating condition.
The publishers have kindly allowed me to post this here:
Richmond practice opens!
We are very excited to announce that we have opened a clinic in Richmond. The rooms are at a really great practice called Richmond Physiotherapy. They offer first rate physio, sports massage, Pilates and strengthening programmes. London Hand Therapy will compliment this service with a specialist hand therapy focus, and we look forward to growing the practice in this beautiful part of London.
Hypermobility and exercise
I found this interesting article about Pilates and exercise for hypermobile people. I agree that people who may be hypermobile should be careful how they exercise and not re-enforce their hypermobile range.
At London Hand Therapy we focus on strengthening the muscles surrounding the hypermobile joints to maintain a neutral joint position. Splints can be made specially at the clinic to limit hypermobile range and decrease pain and swelling. Therapeutic putty exercises are a useful way of specifically strengthening particular muscles in the hand and forearm.
Summer lectures
I’ve been busy this summer with a number of lectures. I really hope we can promote awareness of injury prevention for musicians and, where appropriate, use the musical instrument as a rehabilitative tool.
14 Sep 2010 – Injury Prevention for the Music Student, Trinity College of Music, London, Orientation Week Lecture
24 Aug 2010 – Hand Therapy for the Musician, Sammy Margo Physiotherapy, Finchley Rd
24 Aug 2010 – Treatment and Assessment Principles for the Performing Artist, St. Georges NHS, Tooting
3 Aug 2010 – Hand Therapy for the Musician, Chelsea and Westminster Hand Unit
22 Jun 2010 – Treatment and Assessment Principles for the Performing Artist, Marylebone Physiotherapy
15 Jun 2010 – Focal Hand Dystonia Affecting Musicians, The London Hand and Wrist Unit, Wellington Hospital
‘Healing cascade’: hand operation shows how the body will heal itself
I was alerted to this really interesting article in the Telegraph by a dear friend and colleague Dr Kit Wynn Parry. In the article Ian Winspur gives invaluable advice about how to operate on a musician who is struggling to play the piano due to pain.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/7822322/Hand-operation-shows-how-the-body-will-heal-itself.html
Acupuncture works!
A recent article in The Guardian was forwarded to me by my lovely photographer Eric Richmond, and I thought you would all like to read it.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/may/30/acupuncture-pain-relief-adenosine-mice
Assisting Music Students in need
As we work in partnership with BAPAM, Catherine was able to benefit from the help of one of the UK’s leading hand therapists, Katherine Butler, who specialises in work with musicians. Her approach is holistic and where possible, she assesses musicians with their instruments, as often the cause of the problem only then becomes apparent. Catherine had regular physiotherapy and was back on the concert stage within six months.
Catherine is also a recipient of a Postgraduate Performance Award. Financial support with study fees enabled her to study at the Royal College of Music and her career is really beginning to take off. She works with many orchestras and chamber music groups. These include Camerata Ireland, London Irish Symphony Orchestra, Charities Philharmonia, Wind Quintet Etesian Winds and Flute and Guitar Duo, Alma Nueva.
“ Without your help I simply would not have been able to afford my treatment or my course and I would have missed out on so much valuable teaching that I received whilst at the RCM.”
Catherine also has a keen interest in Music Outreach, as she has been on the Live Music Now (LMN) Scheme since 2005. LMN are supported by the Musicians Benevolent Fund and their concerts reach many of our older beneficiaries.
Publications added
We have added a wide range of publications to our “Publications” page (well, we like to keep things simple)
Please feel free to download these to read at your leisure.
Lectures, tutorials and master classes
Katherine Butler lectures in a wide variety of subjects and has been the invited speaker at many international and national conferences and workshops. A full list of lecture topics can be emailed upon request.
Tutorials on splinting, assessing and treating many conditions of the hand and upper limb and workshops on Musicians Medicine with respect to Focal Hand Dystonia, early return to playing and assessment on and off the musical instrument can all be arranged for individuals, departments or organisations.
Katherine started an exciting new initiative in 2009 with the idea of Musicians Medicine Master Classes. The focus of the study days is preventive medicine as well as treatment and assessment techniques for musicians. Musicians are assessed in front of an audience, both on and off their instruments and relevant diagnosis, treatment techniques and home exercises were discussed. The beauty of these sessions is that many musicians, medical practitioners and allied health workers can attend the study days. They widen their knowledge of preventive measures and relevant paths to take when they themselves, a colleague or music student present with a medical condition. An exciting aspect of these study days is increasing the awareness of the need to seek appropriate relevant medical attention early, to gain a correct diagnosis and treatment plan and to reintroduce the musician to playing their musical instrument as soon as is physically possible. If conditions are treated quickly, thoroughly and appropriately then the musician can often gain a better outcome with less intervention and fewer other inconveniences such as financial and emotional strains.
London Hand Therapy:
- Injury prevention
- Hand and upper limb assessment and treatment
- Postoperative management