HAND-MIRROR

Myofunktional Exercise  Collect ion

Application:

This chapter does not contain the description of an exercise but rather what might be called a method associated with certain exercises, a device without which some exercises just could not succeed. The hand mirror will always then be employed when the target area lies within the visually accessible part of the system.

Contents:

The method primarily has an instructive but moreover an additional motivative character. As instruction aids the therapist mostly does not have no other option at his disposal to demonstrate the (incorrect) muscle action.

On one hand the elements of an erroneous action to be corrected are demonstrated, on the other hand by the comparison of the reflection  of the own face with the face of the demonstrating therapist (or of a pattern like the picture added here ) the correct way will be worked out and later on monitored in its carry-out.

Materials:

Plane mirror of saucer size with handle or a small shaving mirror.

Procedure:

Exercise specific. The use of the hand-mirror is prescribed under the three named options:

-1Point out the mistake,

-2 School the correct movement,

-3 Monitor the exercise carry-out.

-Timing: The use of the mirror is situated mostly in the initial stage of the respective exercise ( see “Remarks”)

Characteristics:

Motivation, Instruction. Visually: Information, Coordination, Orientation, Feed-back.

Remarks:

The use of the mirror should be seen limited and only as a start aid.

Later on the own sensitivity ability to orientation should be sufficiently trained to take over the control function.

Discussion:

In the sense of a function oriented carry-out of the therapy, during which manipulation and device should be avoided as far as possible the use of the hand mirror should as well be viewed critically. The explanation is plausible: The correctness of a muscle action will ultimately have to be sensed. Matter-of-factly the renounce of the mirror and all other optical measures might bear disadvantages not only for the therapeutic progress (with a greater deal of time needed) but also for the fashioning of the liquidation.

The modern office at the time this description was drawn up surely will possess a digital camera with which the pictures of the outer visible state of the musculature or motion processes can be recorded and immediately presented.

Instructions: