Occupational Therapy (22.3.07)

22 March 2007

After a long but refreshing 70min ride on #21 (that reminded me of TPJC days), I arrived a little late at TTSH Occupational Therapy Department.

Being my first treatment, the therapist explained what occupational therapy is about. Occupational Therapy is a type of treatment that uses activities to help prevent, reduce or overcome effects of disabilities. The fundamental purpose is to maximize functions and quality of life. She said that through Occupational Therapy, I am able to regain 70% of my grip after 3 months time from removal of cast, and chances of 99% recovery after 6 months time from removal of cast is high. Several activities like playing the piano can be carried out 3 months after the removal of cast, while activities like driving a car, riding a bike and playing of woodwind instruments is only possible after 6 months from removal of cast. Most importantly for now, I must not exert strength on my 3rd finger to prevent twisting, because if this happen, I will not be able to form a normal fist and functions of my left hand will be very limited.

During this session, the therapist teached me several finger exercises. But due to the restriction imposed by the cast, the therapist wants me to try these techniques as much as the cast allows. To reduce swelling, the 1st exercise requires me to elevate my hand above heart level and try to spread my fingers apart, then make a fist. Oedema control can also be done through massaging the fingers with moisturiser towards the body in one direction only.

The next finger exercise requires me to keep my fingers and knuckles straight, and then bend the middle and tip joints of each finger while keeping the large knuckles straight. This exercise was the first from a series of similar exercise to restore flexibility to my left hand.

Results for all exercises are best by elevating my hand above heart level, because gravity enhances fluids flow, thus reduce swelling. It would also be good for me to elevate my left hand above heart level whenever possible, like while sitting or sleeping.

To prevent my left elbows and shoulders to become stiff, an exercise consisting of raising my left hand up straight, touching the back of my neck and touching my shoulder blade is included. All exercises require me to hold the position for 3 seconds. I should do a minimum of 15 repetitions per session and at least 3 sessions per day.

The treatment lasted for slightly less than an hour and it was relaxing. Following the treatment, I had an early lunch at TTSH Kopitiam food court, eating cai fan again. After lunch, I went to shop for a while at Square 2, before proceeding to my much awaited trip to Orchard to replenish my stock of music and books to keep me entertained at home.

Upon arrival at HMV Heeren, Amuro Namie's latest DVD "BEST TOUR "LIVE STYLE 2006"" caught my attention. While listening to Hamasaki Ayumi's best album "A BEST 2 -BLACK-", I saw the huge promotion poster of Nakashima Mika's 4th original album "YES" at the rear, which leads me to search for this highly anticipated release, but to my dismay. The store assistants told me that the OS version of "YES" will only arrive later at 3pm, so I decided to try my luck at Cineleisure Sembawang and Orchard MRT CD-RAMA. After purchasing the "世界那么大" book from Kinokuniya and a stroll in Ngee Ann City, I returned to HMV at 3pm to learn that "YES" will only be released later that day, so I returned home.

That night, I received a call from HMV Heeren that my order for Namie's "Baby Don't Cry" is here. I'm happy and upset at the same time, because my long awaited order has arrived, but if it arrived yesterday, I could collect it when I was in the store this afternoon... The next day, I went to HMV Heeren in the afternoon to collect my copy of "Baby Don't Cry" and also bought a copy of "BEST TOUR "LIVE STYLE 2006"", "YES", Utada Hikaru's "Flavor Of Life" and GLAY's " rare collectives vol.2".

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