This year, Occupational Therapist Jen Cave-Ayland came along with us to the Naidex National exhibition. She says –
There was a fantastic atmosphere at Naidex this year with barely a quiet minute on the Dycem stand during any of the three days. We had many familiar faces saying “I’ve used your product for years” and singing Dycem’s praises. There were also some new faces, particularly from Occupational Therapy and Health & Social Care courses. The students were intrigued by Dycem’s versatility. “What do you use it for?” was a popular question to which we replied “What don’t you use it for?!”
Naidex attracted a mix of public and professional and trade visitors, who let us know the different ways they use their Dycem. Popular uses this year were securing motorcycle panniers, helping undo screw caps on wine bottles, putting on stockings and gripping things to the fridge.
Thanks to everyone who came along and gave us useful ideas and feedback. See you next time!
Dycem non-slip material is the ideal solution to getting and staying in the most comfortable sitting position. Occupational Therapist Jen agrees! Read about how she solves this problem in practice –
Achieving the perfect sitting position is never easy and difficult to maintain for long periods. It is important that we sit in a good position to avoid pain, deformities and problems with breathing and digestion. Gravity, fidgeting, tiredness, muscle tone and fabric texture are all contributing factors to someone moving out of their optimum position.
Many of us can adjust our position independently and return to sitting comfortably, but there are some of us who can’t. For those who can’t move themselves back independently, there is a continuous search for a product that stops them moving into awkward, uncomfortable positions.
One solution is to use Dycem. It can be a real asset in helping to overcome the challenge of slipping cushions, supports and body parts! Dycem can be placed under, between or on top of cushions, on armrests, backrests and footrests to stabilise either the cushion or body part. It can also be positioned on the floor to stop feet slipping.
Dycem reel material or netting can be cut to the required size and therefore used discreetly if needed. There are a variety of colour options to either contrast or blend in with the furniture depending on the individual’s need. Both the reel and netting can be washed, repositioned and reused, making them a cost effective solution to seating problems.
Being able to sit comfortably is vitally important for social, psychological and physical reasons and Dycem can help in being able to achieve the optimum sitting position.
The Christmas holidays can put a lot of stress on arthritis patients. Occupational therapist Jen discusses her patients who find that their symptoms become worse during the cold winter months.
Stories of being able to predict a change in the weather by an increase in joint pain and stiffness is not uncommon. You could describe it as a human barometer! There are many theories, but little clinical evidence to say that there is a link between bad weather and exacerbation of arthritic symptoms. However, this does not mean it is any less real for those people describing these changes in symptoms.
We can’t alter the British weather and moving to warmer climes isn’t always a practical or guaranteed solution so we need to have strategies available to minimise the joint pain.
Sometimes even the smallest of gadgets can be a big help. Using non-slip jar and bottle openers to help is a simple option. The Dycem non-slip material enables jars and bottles to be opened by using less physical effort and therefore reducing the amount of pain caused. The openers are not only useful in the kitchen, but also in the bathroom for pill bottles and cleaning materials.
They aren’t going to solve all problems, but they do make a huge difference to a lot of people.
With a little help from Dycem products, and the wide range of assistive products available on the market, we hope arthritis patients are able to enjoy the festive season with minimal joint pain.
What are your tips for getting through the winter season?
This week, we chatted to Chartered Physiotherapist Adam Page about how he uses Dycem products in his line of work –
As a physiotherapist within the stroke setting I have used Dycem’s Non-Slip products with great clinical effectiveness. From dense hemiplegic strokes to mild alterations in an individual’s strength or grip, the non-slip products have been functional to all my patients.
Recently I have been using the Dycem Non-Slip mats during treatment of a 57 year old gentleman whom had suffered a stroke resulting in moderate left sided weakness and mild cognitive changes.
Having been previously very active and mobile, our therapy goal was to maximise his rehabilitation potential by having him up and mobilising with assistance within 7 days of admission. Such an ambitious goal would by many be considered unrealistic, even unsafe when considering the limited staffing on our wards. However, through the use of Dycem Non-Slip we were able to achieve it.
Maximising the mats bright colour to inform visual attention we placed a number of them on floor as a cue for the patient to place his feet during mobilisation. Whilst two of us supported the patient’s upper limb, the lower limb was secured with use of the non-slip mat. Secondary to reduced strength, a patient’s affected leg will often slip from under them during sit to stand and mobilisation, unless secured by another member of staff. However by simply placing the Dycem non-slip ‘Nose-Over-Toes’ mat under the effected foot, a secure lower limb resulted.
By using a number of mats the affected leg was supported from slipping over the entire distance mobilised. Whilst a number of different coloured mats ensured easy instruction by the therapist for foot position, the alternative texture with its roughened boarder helped to inform sensory feedback during movement.
Easily wiped clean and reused, these non-slip products are of an absolute necessity to any physiotherapist wanting to maximise the rehab potential of their patients.
Are there any other Physiotherapists out there who use Dycem?
