One of the least time-consuming and most fun ways of rehabilitating hand and arm muscles comes in the form of an item that most children are familiar with--putty. Stretching, squeezing, folding and gripping the putty provides a resistance that slowly and gently strengthens the muscles of the hand and arm, as well as providing other beneficial outcomes, such as increasing circulation and stimulating the lymphatic system. Therapeutic putty is not often covered by health care providers, and making it at home costs little in time and materials.
Supplies
The ingredients you will need to create homemade putty are common household items that you might already have or that are easily available from most grocery stores. White glue makes up the largest part of the putty. Approximately 2 tablespoons are needed for this project. One tablespoon of liquid starch is also needed. If you would like to add some fun to your putty, you can also throw in additives such as a drop or two of food coloring or glitter. One tablespoon or less of water completes the recipe.
You will also need a cup and utensil to mix the putty and a sheet of wax paper to dry it on.
Creation
Pour the glue into the cup and add the water. Stir the mixture vigorously until the glue and water are well blended. As you continue to stir, add in the liquid starch a small bit at a time. Continue to stir the mixture until it is well blended. If you are adding food coloring or glitter, do so after you have mixed in the liquid starch. Allow the concoction to sit for up to five minutes in the cup. It should begin to thicken and take shape.
Grasp the lump of putty and squeeze it firmly, wringing out excess liquid over the cup. The putty should feel slimy and may ooze between your fingers. If you are uncomfortable with the sensation, powder your hands with a small amount of cornstarch before handling the half-formed putty. After squeezing, set the putty to dry on a sheet of wax paper. The putty should rest there for about five more minutes.
To create a different resistance, play with the amounts of water, white glue and starch. Less water and more starch will make a putty that's easier to manipulate. More white glue and water will create a more resistant piece of putty.
Care
Use your putty for exercises that were prescribed by your therapist. Therapy putty can also be used to relieve social anxiety and can be played with to keep focus during meetings, appointments or uncomfortable situations.
Store the putty it in an airtight container away from extreme temperatures and sunlight. If your putty hardens or begins to crack, add a small amount of water and knead the putty until it begins to soften in your hands.
If you have added food coloring to the putty, the color may bleed onto your hands for a period of time after you have created it, depending upon how often it is played with and how much food coloring was added. Scrub your hands with soap and water after each use of putty, even if leaking dye is not an issue.
The putty will become discolored over time due to your skin's own natural oils. This is normal. Please be aware that homemade putty, much like commercially available putty, can stain clothing, fabrics and finished surfaces. Keep putty away from surfaces it may damage, and do not allow children or pets to ingest the putty.
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