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Greg
Irwin |
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Hand Health Unlimited is dedicated to helping hands work and feel
better. We maximize the physical capabilities of your hands! |
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The
Beginning:
The idea of Finger Fitness was conceived in 1980, with our founder,
Greg Irwin, at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. While Greg was
earning his bachelor’s degree in music education, he was
tested on his ability to play every instrument - every instrument.
Though Greg was naturally talented, he had difficulty operating
the pieces that required a higher level of physical ability, like
the piano and the xylophone.
Ever the competitive perfectionist, Greg knew there had to be
a better way to physically train himself to perform at a higher
level. Three special skills were needed in order to excel in music:
auditory (the capability of the ear), mental (the ability to process
rhythms, harmony, and melody), and physical (strength, dexterity,
and coordination). The first two were adequately trained in formal
coursework, but training the physical skill of playing an instrument
was noticeably absent.
Logical deduction showed the primary contact with every instrument
is the hand. Greg reasoned that in order to play his best, his
hands had to function optimally. Initially, he did simple splitting
and bending exercises with his fingers, and these simple activities
noticeably enhanced the quality of performance.
Greg worked the next few years as a musician (this was the early
80’s) and a teacher. Though he developed his exercises into
a full repertoire of hand and finger movements, besides improved
personal performance, these exercises had no other creative purpose.
That is, until Greg performed some of his exercises in front of
a local doctor, who saw great rehabilitation potential in the
movements.
With motivation behind him, Greg conducted his own market research.
After talking to hand surgeons, physical and occupational therapists,
as well as sports medicine professionals, Greg found that, although
there were programs for rehabilitation for the hand, there were
none for advancing the ordinary hand to a higher level of strength
and coordination.
HandHealth Unlimited was born.
Products
and Exercises
Hand Health Unlimited has designed a series of products and exercises
to work within the individual's daily routine. They are safe and
effective for people of all ages.*
Our goals in designing and marketing our products are:
PREVENTION: We believe the best medicine is prevention. Proper
hand care is essential to healthy hand functioning, flexibility,
and strength. We believe that the key to reducing injury, stress,
and fatigue of the hands is to improve their strength, flexibility,
and mobility.
IMPROVEMENT: Medical research continually confirms that exercise
is essential to maintaining overall body health. The same is true
of the hands. Our programs and products are designed to condition
hands and fingers by increasing strength, coordination, flexibility,
and finger independence‹all of which are extremely beneficial
to those who would like to maintain or improve the overall skill
level of their hands.
REHABILITATION: An increasing number of physical and occupational
therapists include hand and finger exercise in the rehabilitation
of certain hand conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome,
repetitive motion syndrome, tendonitis, and cumulative trauma.
Our products and programs have been developed in conjunction with
a certified hand therapist, and have been used to help prevent
the recurrence of some hand injuries.
*It is important that those who have experienced any pain or
health problems with their hands consult with their doctor or
therapist before using any Hand Health Unlimited products or programs.
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Read what certified hand therapists and others have to say about
Hand Health Unlimited and the Finger
Fitness™ program.
Hand Therapy and Healthcare Professionals
" If our patients could perform the majority of the
exercises in [the Finger Fitness™ program], they probably
would not need our services."
Randi L. Schatz, OTR, CHT
Journal of Hand Therapy (Jan/Mar 1995)
" Finger Fitness™ enables an individual to control
the intricate workings of a powerful tool‹the hand. By
mastering Finger Fitness™ techniques, one can improve
not only physical dexterity, but overall reflexive responses,
enabling him to perform with peak skill and accuracy."
Meg Robinson, OTR/L
Certified Hand Therapist
" Another school of thought believes that exercises,
like those used in rehabilitation of repetitive strain disorders,
can also be preventative.... Greg Irwin [of Hand Health Unlimited]
has developed such a program."
Margaret Varnell, RN, RRT
ADVANCE for Health Information Professionals (Oct. 21, 1996)
" I have just borrowed your book and video from a
good friend of mine.... As I focus more on the care and healing
of the hands in my personal reflexology practice, I see how
important exercises such as these can be."
Lisa Chan
Reflexologist
Musicians
" The amount of finger control you gain through its
Finger Fitness™ exercises is invaluable to any guitarist,
bassist, or keyboardist."
Tom Mulhearn
Guitar Player (June, 1989)
" I began to notice a difference right away in my
agility and finger control, which, as a drummer and an artist,
are two very important qualities to poses."
Randy Schimpf
Percussionist/ Web Designer
www.six8design.com
Typists
" I've done the Finger Fitness™ exercises for
three weeks and have improved my typing speed from 55 wpm to
70 wpm, and hope to get it up to 100 wpm."
Greg Yasko
Student
" As a professional writer, my hands are very important
to me. Only recently have I begun to notice limitations in their
range of motion, and some stiffness when I've been sitting at
the keyboard for a long stretch. Since I began doing Finger
Fitness™, I've noticed an increased range of motion, and
my fingers aren't so stiff after a long day of typing."
Kate Brauer
Copywriter
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