Occupational therapists have patients perform bilateral sanding exercises to encourage extremity rehabilitation.
When a person has sustained an injury to muscles or nerves in the arm or shoulder, occupational therapists encourage recovery to normal function by having the patient perform a variety of repetitive tasks. Bilateral sanding is one tool of many that may redevelop motor activity.
About
The patient holds in her hand a block of wood wrapped in a coarse material designed to produce friction. Professional models may use felt and carpet or a similar combination to provide resistance without actually sanding wood. The patient then pushes and pulls the block across a surface, alternating arms at regular intervals.
Benefits
The key benefit to the patient lies in the resistance and gross motor movement of sanding in both linear and circular patterns. Pushing and pulling exercises the deltoid muscles, while the medial (inward) and lateral (outward) pulling of circular motions build up the triceps.
Conclusion
The idea to use a sanding motion for rehabilitation of upper extremity movement was first introduced in 1986. Since then, patients have shown improved outcomes in achieving muscular function. Electromyographic studies have supported the evidence that bilateral sanding is a potent therapeutic tool.
Tags: bilateral sanding
