US20070072739A1

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Publication number: US20070072739A1
Application number: US11/533,695
Authority: US
Inventors: Leonard Kaufman
Original assignee: Leonard Kaufman Ltd
Current assignee: Leonard Kaufman Ltd
Priority date: 2005-09-28
Filing date: 2006-09-20
Publication date: 2007-03-29
Also published as: WO2007038334A1; US20070072740A1

Abstract

A therapy device includes a device body having one or more holes to engage the fingers of a first hand. A pulling member coupled with the device body is adapted to be grasped by a second hand and adapted to extend or flex, the first hand.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/238,589, filed Sep. 28, 2005, entitled “HAND THERAPY DEVICE,” the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to devices to treat, prevent, or alleviate problems with hands, wrists, and forearms, and symptoms of a variety of wrist ailments, and more particularly to a device and method to extend and flex the hand at the wrist to exercise and stretch muscles, tendons, and ligaments to aid in relief and recovery as well as prevention of problems of the hands, wrists, and forearms.

BACKGROUND

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) to the wrist, hands and arms may result from various repetitive physical movements including movements made doing, for example, assembly-line work, playing a musical instrument, or using a computer keyboard and computer mouse. Such injuries can be serious and painful and may indicate one or more serious conditions that may be preventable and treatable. RSI may cause damage to tendons, nerves, muscles, and other soft tissues.

Long periods of repetitive physical movement may create cumulative damage to the body, sometimes described as Cumulative Trauma Disorder. Lack of adequate rest, infrequent rests, and improper warming up of wrists, hands and arms before undergoing movements, such as those described, may cause and exasperate the injuries and conditions. A variety of injuries, diseases and/or conditions may occur, including but not limited to: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), Tendonitis, Bursitis, Tenosynovitis/DeQuervain's Syndrome, Tendonitis, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Trigger Finger/Thumb, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, other related conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. To facilitate this description, like reference numerals designate like structural elements. Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a top view illustrating various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a top view illustrating various embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a top view illustrating various embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout, and in which is shown by way of illustration embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made in alternate embodiments. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments in accordance with the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments of the present invention; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent.

The following description may include terms such as inner, outer, under, between, upward, downward, outward, inward, top, bottom, above, below, and the like. Such terms are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting in the description or in the appended claims. That is, these terms are terms that are relative only to a point of reference and are not meant to be interpreted as limitations but are, instead, included in the following description to facilitate understanding of the various aspects of the invention.

For the purposes of the present invention, the phrase “A/B” means A or B. For the purposes of the present invention, the phrase “A and/or B” means “(A), (B), or (A and B).” For the purposes of the present invention, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C” means “(A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C).” For the purposes of the present invention, the phrase “(A)B” means “(B) or (AB),” that is, A is an optional element.

The phrase “in one embodiment,” and/or “in various embodiments may be used repeatedly. The phrases generally do not refer to the same embodiment; however, they may. The terms “comprising,” “having,” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.

One embodiment may provide a therapy device which may be used to stretch, warm up, or exercise muscles, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissues of the hands, fingers, wrists, and arms. One embodiment may include a hand engaging element disposed to engage a hand, and a pulling cord disposed to pull the hand engaging element, and may be used to extend or flex the wrist of a user. One embodiment may include a force redirecting element configured to redirect a pulling force. One embodiment may include a timer, a clock, or an alarm that may be used as a reminder to a user to use the device. One embodiment may include a stiffening device positioned on the back of the hand which may aid in the feel and mechanics of flexing the hand backward. One embodiment may include interlinking devices to enable a user to wear one device on each hand and to flex a hand configured with a first device by pulling a cord attached to a second device. In one embodiment pulling cords are configured to pull a hand from a location above the third knuckle (as counted from the fingertip).

FIG. 1 is a perspective view partially in cross-section, andFIG. 2 is a side view illustrating one embodiment of the present invention. Atherapy device10 may comprise a handengaging element12 which may be configured to engage with, and/or connect to, ahand14, and may be configured to at least partially distribute a force which may be illustrated with anarrow16. At least onepulling cord18, has afirst end20 which may be configured to be connected to thehand engaging element12, and has asecond end22 which may be configured to be pulled as may be illustrated with anarrow24. Aforce redirecting element26 may be configured to be connected to a back of thehand14 or a back of awrist28 as illustrated in this described embodiment, and may be configured to redirect the pulling force exerted on thesecond end22. The redirected pulling force may be illustrated with anarrow30, and may be directed to be able to flex thehand14 indirection32.

In one embodiment the therapy device may include afabric34 configured to fit on ahand14, the hand engaging element and the force redirecting element may be connected to the fabric. In one embodiment thefabric34 may be configured to fit over thehand14 like a glove or a mitten.

One embodiment of the invention may include aforce redirecting element26 which may be a loop made from a resilient material, the at least onecord18 may be configured to pass through the loop which may be configured to stretch as the at least one cord is pulled, or the hand is flexed, or both. Theforce redirecting element26 may be configured to pull with abiasing force36 toward the back of the hand, orwrist28. In one embodiment theforce redirecting element26 may be made from a non-resilient material.

Thesecond end22 of thepulling cord18 may be connected to ahandle38. Thehandle38 may be, for example, a rigid cylinder disposed to be grasped in a hand opposite the hand the therapy device is engaged with. The pulling cord may be configured to be pulled in adirection40 along aforearm42.

The handengaging element12 may be, for example, an elongate board. In one embodiment the hand engaging element may be configured to be selectively connected to, and removed from, the fabric such that the pulling force may be selectively directed to different areas of the hand. In one embodiment, the fingers and the hand engaging element may have mating sides of a loop and hook arrangement, for example with Velcro™, enabling adjustment. In one embodiment adjustment may be made possible with snaps.

In one embodiment the at least one pulling cord may include two or more pullingcords18, for example two pullingcords18 as illustrated inFIG. 1 connected to thehand engaging element12 at two spaced apart locations. The twocords18 may be connected to opposite ends of the elongatehand engaging element12 and may pass through theforce redirecting element26 and be arranged to cross over one another before being attached to the handle by, for example, a loop in the pullingcords18.

In one embodiment thetherapy device10 may include anobject44 configured to be squeezed by the hand when contracted which may provide exercise for the hand, and in conjunction with the stretching therapy, provided by the pullingcords18, may help provide a full range of motion. A timer, for example, aclock46 which may have an alarm that may be used as a reminder to a user to use the device. Theclock46 may be affixed to thefabric34, or it may be removably attachable by, for example, with snaps or a Velcro™ connection.

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating another embodiment of the present invention. Atherapy device110 may comprise ahand engaging element112 which may include a firstelongate board114 configured to be secured at one side of the fingers of ahand116 and a secondelongate board118 configured to be secured to an opposite side of the fingers.Connections120 may be disposed to pass between the fingers and configured to connect the firstelongate board114 with the secondelongate board118. The handengaging element112 may be configured to engage with, and/or connect to thehand116, and may be configured to at least partially distribute a force which may be illustrated with anarrow122. At least one pullingcord124 has afirst end126 which may be configured to be connected to thehand engaging element112, and has asecond end128 which may be configured to be pulled as may be illustrated with an arrow130. Aforce redirecting element132 may be configured to be connected to a back of thehand116 or a back of awrist134, and may be configured to redirect the pulling force exerted on thesecond end128 as illustrated with anarrow136, and may be directed to be able to flex thehand116 indirection138.

Thetherapy device110 may include afabric140 configured to fit on thehand116, thehand engaging element112 and theforce redirecting element132 being connected to thefabric140. In one embodiment thefabric140 may be configured to fit over thehand116 like a glove or a mitten.

Theforce redirecting element132 may include aring142 connected to thefabric140 with a resilient connection, for example, aspring144. The at least one pullingcord124 may be configured to pass through thering142.

The resilient connection may include a resiliency which is adjustable. For example, thespring144 may be replaceable with another spring with a different spring constant, or one or more additional springs may be added. In one embodiment, the resiliency may be adjusted by changing a distance between thering142 and thespring144, for example, with a threaded engagement. In one embodiment, various resilient bands may be used.

A pullingring146 disposed to be grasped in a hand opposite the hand the therapy device may be engaged with, or pulled by another person such as a therapist. In one embodiment, thetherapy device110 may include an interlocking element disposed to be attached to a similarly configured therapy device arranged on an opposite hand such that the pullingcord128 of thefirst device110 may be pulled by moving an interlocked other device. For example, in one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 3 a

hook

148 may be attached to a bottom of the device which may fit into the pullingring146 of asimilar therapy device110. Such an interlockable arrangement may be useful in cases where the dexterity on one or both hands is compromised and grasping is difficult, or impossible. One embodiment may include astiffening device150 positioned on the back of the hand which may aid in the feel and mechanics of tilting and/or flexing the hand backward, which may be housed in, for example, a pocket152.

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating another embodiment of the present invention. Atherapy device210 may comprise ahand engaging element212 which may include anelongate board214 which may be configured to engage with, and/or connect to ahand216, and may be configured to at least partially distribute a force which may be illustrated with anarrow218. At least one pullingcord220 has afirst end222 which may be configured to be connected to thehand engaging element212, and has asecond end224 which may be configured to be pulled as may be illustrated with anarrow226.

Aforce redirecting element228 may include alever arm230 configured to pivot about anaxis232 at, or near, the back of thewrist233, thesecond end224 of the at least one pullingcord220 may be configured to be connected to the lever arm230 afirst distance234 from theaxis232. Thelever arm230 may be configured to be pulled on by asecond cord236 connected to thelever arm230 at asecond distance238. The second cord may be connected to ahandle240. One or both of thefirst distance234, and thesecond distance238, may be adjustable by, for example, providing a number of different connections on the pivot arm, or providing connections on the pivot arm configured to adjustably move along the pivot arm. Thefirst distance234 may be configured to be greater than, or less than, thesecond distance238. In one embodiment a gauge may be included to indicate to a user how hard the cord is being pulled which may be disposed to indicate whether or not the pulling force is within a recommended range. In one embodiment, thelever arm230 may be grabbed directly with an opposite hand, or by another person, such as a therapist, and pulled back in order to flex the hand of the wearer in thedirection241.

In one embodiment asupport242 may be provided support configured to support the hand at, or near, the wrist while typing or mousing.

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating another embodiment of the present invention. Atherapy device310 may comprise ahand engaging element312 which may include one or more finger engaging elements, for example, rings314 configured to fit on one ormore fingers316 each connected to afirst end318 of at least one pullingcord320. For example, as shown in the embodiment illustrated, fourrings314 may be fitted on each of fourfingers316 of ahand322. Four pullingcords320 may be connected to each of the four rings314. The four pullingcords320 may be disposed to pass through aforce redirecting element326 which may be configured to be connected at, or near, a back of awrist328 as illustrated in this described embodiment, and may be configured to redirect a pullingforce330 exerted on asecond end332 of each of the pulling cords. In one embodiment each of fourcords320 may be connected to a single additional cord, or to a handle, configured to be pulled. The redirected pulling force may be illustrated with anarrow334, and may be directed to be able to flex thehand319 indirection334.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the present invention. Atherapy device410 may include afabric411 configured to be fitted on ahand412. Thefabric411 may be a resilient material, for example, elastic. A hand engaging element may be in the form of reinforcedfingers414, for example a non-resilient fabric which may be added to, or made integral with, thefabric411 and which may be made from a sturdy material. A first pullingcord416 may be configured to be connected at afirst end417 thereof to the respective four reinforcedfingers414 with aconnection418 which may be adjustable. Theconnection418 may include one ormore hooks420 attached to the reinforcedfingers414, which may be connectable with mating ends on the first ends417 of the first pullingcords416. Each mating end may include acatch424 arranged to attach to thehooks420. Each of thecatches424 may be removably attachable to the correspondinghooks420 on each of therespective fingers414, and may be left unconnected, or connected to other hooks that may be located higher up or lower down on the fingers. Each of the first pullingcords416 may be joined at a junction; for example, they may be connected at asecond end428 to aring430. A second pullingcord432 may be connected to an opposite side of thering430 at afirst end434 thereof. Asecond end436 of the second pullingcord432 may be configured to be connected to ahandle438. Aforce redirecting element440 may be attached to thefabric411 of thetherapy device410. The second pullingcord432 may be arranged to pass underneath theforce redirecting element440. A number of adjustingelements442 may be arranged on each of the first pullingcords416 to adjust the length thereof.

In one embodiment finger cots may be disposed to fit over the tips of the fingers and may be disposed to have pulling cords connected to them.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The method includes:

pulling a cord at a second end with a pulling force in a direction substantially along an arm, the cord having a first end connected to a hand engaging element,500;

redirecting the pulling force by passing the cord through a force redirecting element such that the pulling force is directed to have a component toward a wrist, the force redirecting element being connected to a back of the hand or a back of a wrist,502; and flexing the hand backward with the pulling force,504.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the present invention. Atherapy device600 may include adevice body602 having a number ofholes604 at afirst end606 of thedevice body602, adapted to engage the fingers of a hand. Various embodiments may have four holes. Various embodiments may have fewer holes to engage fewer fingers for different effect. A pullingmember608 may be adapted to be connected at asecond end610 of thedevice body602. The pullingmember608 may be made from a flexible material, for example a fabric. In various embodiments, the material may be substantially nonstretchable, and may be for example, a woven nylon. In other embodiments, all or part of the material may be stretchable to a certain degree. The pullingmember608 may include ahandle612. The handle may include arigid cylinder614. In various embodiments therigid cylinder614 may be enclosed or wrapped completely or partially in the fabric of the pullingmember608. The pullingmember608 may include an elongatedmiddle portion616 which may have anopening620 adapted to fit one or more fingers of a second hand, for example, the opposite hand of a user, or the hand of a therapist, for example, which may aid in the gripability of the pullingmember608. The finger or fingers in the hole may be able to at least partially curve around the handle. Themiddle portion616 of the pullingmember608 may havesides622 which extend inwardly toward adevice center line623 providing a tapered shape which may provideclearance624 on opposite ends of thehandle612 which may enable a user to position fingers thereon to aid in the grasping and pulling of thehandle612.

Thedevice body602 may be made from a compliant, pliable, or soft material which may be comfortable to the touch and may be made from, for example, leather or vinyl. Other materials may be used, for example, nylon or cotton. The finger holes604 may be reinforced or secured around all or part of the annulus of the holes with stitching, for example, with asurge stitch626 which may add to the durability of thetherapy device600, and to the comfort of a user. Other types of stitching may be used.

Thetherapy device600 may be used by slipping the fingers through thetherapy device600 of a first hand and pulling with the opposite or a second hand at thehandle612 to extend, flex, stretch, and/or exercise the hand in thedevice600. The hand in thedevice600 may be in a relaxed state while being stretched. It can be appreciated that a variety of handles or other graspable members may be used to enable the user to pull with the second hand.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the present invention wherein atherapy device700 includes adevice body702 having four holes at afirst end706 of thedevice body702 adapted to fit over the fingers of one hand of a user and a pullingmember708 connected to asecond end710 of thedevice body702. The pullingmembers708 may include astrap728 connected to a cylindrically shapedhandle712. Thedevice700 may include aclearance724 on opposite sides of thestrap728, such that two fingers may be positioned on either side of thestrap728 when holding or pulling thehandle712.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the present invention. Atherapy device800 may include adevice body802 havingholes804 adapted to engage the fingers of one hand at afirst end806 thereof. Thedevice body802 may have a pullinghole821 at asecond end810 thereof adapted to receive one or more fingers of a second or, an opposite, hand disposed such that the opposite hand may grip ahandle812 and also position one or more fingers into the pullinghole821. The pullinghole821 may aid in the grasp ability and pullability of the handle aiding in the flexing and exercising of the hand in the device.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the present invention. Ahand therapy device900 may includefinger engaging elements930 in the form of cylindrical elements which may be made from a fabric. Thefinger engaging elements930 may aid in the positioning of the device at different or at predetermined locations along the fingers and may provide possible adjustment and different pulling angles and different pulling leverages when using the device. In one embodiment thedevice body902 may be fixed relative to thefinger engaging elements930 and in other various embodiments thedevice body902 may be adjustable relative to thefinger engaging elements930.

FIG. 12 is a top view illustrating various embodiments of the present invention. Ahand therapy device1000 may include adevice body1002 which may have, for example, fourholes1004 in thedevice body1002 adapted to engage the fingers of a hand. In this example embodiment a pullingmember1008 may include ahandle1012 and astrap1028 which may be similar to the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 9. Theholes1004 may be aligned along aline1032 which may be substantially parallel to acenter line1034 of ahandle1012.

By way of comparison,FIG. 13 is a top view illustrating various other embodiments of the present invention wherein a number ofholes1104 may be aligned along aline1132 which makes anangle1136 with acenter line1134 of ahandle1112. The non-parallel or angled relationship between theline1132 ofholes1104 and thecenter line1134 may provide variation and improved stretching of the hand when using thetherapy device1100. Thedevice1100 may be used in a reversible way to alternate the angled variation on different finger combinations.

FIGS. 12 and 13 also illustrate various embodiments wherein the

handle

1012,1112 may comprise a

cylindrical element

1014,1114 wrapped in a

covering

1040,1140 which may be passed through a

loop

1042,1142 in the

strap

1028,1128 of each of the

respective therapy devices

1000,1100.

Various embodiments may include various numbers of holes in the pulling element or in the device body disposed to receive various numbers of fingers of a pulling hand. Various embodiments similar to those described and illustrated inFIGS. 8 through 13 may include various features described, and illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 7. As one possible example among many, various embodiments may include a device body the same or similar to embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 8 through 13 with a handle the same or similar to thehandle438 illustrated inFIG. 6.

FIG. 14 is a top view illustrating another embodiment of the present invention. Ahand therapy device1200 may include afirst device body1202 having a first set of one ormore holes1204, for example, four holes, adapted to engage one or more fingers of a first hand. A pullingmember1208 may be, or may include asecond device body1202′ having a second set of one ormore holes1204′ adapted to engage the fingers of a second hand. Thefirst device body1202 may be adapted to be grasped and pulled by a second hand and adapted to be pulled in order to extend or flex the first hand, and thesecond device body1202′ may be adapted to be grasped and pulled by the second hand in order to extend or flex the first hand. The respective first and

second device bodies

1202,1202′ may be adapted to be alternately pulled and may be effective to extend or flex the respective opposite hands.

In various embodiments, acoupling member1240 may be adapted to couple thefirst device body1202 with thesecond device body1202′. Thecoupling member1240 may be adapted to twist, while the respective first and

second device bodies

1202,1202′ are alternately pulled to extend or flex the opposite hand. Thecoupling member1240 may be made from a flexible material. In one example it may be made from woven nylon. Various embodiments may include a coupling member adapted to count the number of repetitions of alternating hand extensions or flexes. For example, a ratcheting mechanism adapted to increment a counter. Various embodiments may not include a coupling member and a first device body may be directly coupled to the second device body.

In various embodiments, theholes1204, in thefirst device body1202 may be in afirst line1234 andholes1204′, in thesecond device body1202′. Thefirst line1234 and thesecond line1234′ may be parallel, or they may form an angle with one another. The holes in first and second device bodies may be reinforced with stitching. In various embodiments the holes may be reinforced with a serge stitch.

Various embodiments may provide a method including:

slipping a first set ofholes1204 of afirst device body1202 over the fingers of a first hand and engaging the fingers of the first hand;

slipping a second set ofholes1204′ of asecond device body1202′ over the fingers of a second hand and engaging the fingers of the second hand, thesecond device body1202′ being coupled with thefirst device body1202;

alternately grasping and pulling each of thefirst device body1202 and thesecond device body1202′; and

respectively extending or flexing the second hand and the first hand in an alternating fashion.

Various embodiments may provide an apparatus including a first device body having holes adapted to fit over the fingers of a first hand; and

a handle coupled with the device body and adapted to be pulled and to flex the first hand, wherein the handle is a second device body configured similar to the first device body having additional holes adapted to fit over the fingers of the second hand.

Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and described herein for purposes of description of the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent embodiments or implementations calculated to achieve the same purposes may be substituted for the embodiments shown and described. Those with skill in the art will readily appreciate that embodiments in accordance with the present invention may be implemented in a very wide variety of ways. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that embodiments in accordance with the present invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A wrist therapy device comprising:

a first device body having a first set of one or more holes adapted to engage one or more fingers of a first hand; and

a pulling member coupled with the first device body adapted to be grasped and pulled by a second hand in order to extend or flex the first hand generally in the region of a first wrist.

2. The wrist therapy device according toclaim 1 wherein the pulling member includes a handle.

3. The wrist therapy device ofclaim 1 wherein the pulling member includes a second device body having a second set of one or more holes adapted to engage the fingers of the second hand, and wherein the first device body is adapted to be grasped and pulled by the first hand in order to extend or flex the second hand generally in the region of a second wrist.

4. The wrist therapy device ofclaim 1 wherein the pulling member includes an opening adapted to fit one or more fingers of the second hand.

5. The wrist therapy device ofclaim 1 wherein the pulling member includes a middle portion having sides adapted to taper inwardly toward a device center line.

6. The wrist therapy device ofclaim 1 wherein the device body includes a pulling hole adapted to fit one or more fingers of the second hand.

7. The wrist therapy device ofclaim 1 further comprising stitching disposed on all or part of an annulus of the holes.

8. The wrist therapy device ofclaim 3 further comprising a coupling member adapted to couple the first device body with the second device body.

9. The wrist therapy device ofclaim 8 wherein the coupling member is adapted to twist, and the respective first and second device bodies are adapted to be alternately pulled and effective to extend or flex the respective second and first wrist.

10. The wrist therapy device ofclaim 9 wherein the coupling member is adapted to count the number of alternating repetitions conducted by a user of the device.

11. The wrist therapy device ofclaim 1 wherein the one or more holes are four holes in a line, the line forming an angle with a center line of the handle.

12. The wrist therapy device ofclaim 2 wherein the pulling member is at east partially made from a flexible material.

13. The wrist therapy device ofclaim 12 wherein the handle includes a rigid cylinder completely or partially enclosed in the flexible material.

14. The wrist therapy device ofclaim 1 wherein the device body is made from a flexible material.

15. The wrist therapy device ofclaim 1 wherein the pulling member includes a strap connected to a handle, a clearance on opposite sides of the strap adapted to position fingers of the second hand.

16. The wrist therapy device ofclaim 1 further comprising finger engaging elements adapted to fit over the fingers in the first hand, the one or more holes adapted to fit over the finger engaging elements.

17. A method comprising:

slipping a first set of holes of a first device body over the fingers of a first hand and engaging the fingers of the first hand;

grasping a pulling member with a second hand, the pulling member coupled with the device body; and

extending and/or flexing the first hand by pulling the pulling member.

18. The method ofclaim 17 further comprising positioning one or more fingers in an opening in one of the pulling member or the device body while grasping the handle.

19. The method ofclaim 17 further comprising:

slipping a second set of holes of a second device body over the fingers of the second hand and engaging the fingers of the second hand, the second device body being coupled with the first device body;

alternately grasping and pulling each of the first device body and the second device body; and

respectively extending and/or flexing either the first hand or the second hand by pulling with the opposite hand.

20. An apparatus comprising:

a first device body having holes adapted to fit over the fingers of a first hand; and

a handle coupled with the device body and adapted to be pulled and to extend and/or flex the first hand.

21. The apparatus ofclaim 20 wherein the handle is part of a pulling member, the pulling member having an opening disposed to receive one or more fingers of a second hand while pulling the handle.

22. The apparatus ofclaim 20 wherein the first device body has a pulling hole disposed to receive one or more fingers of a second hand while pulling the handle.

23. The apparatus ofclaim 20 wherein the handle is a second device body configured similar to the first device body having additional holes adapted to fit over the fingers of the second hand.

24. The apparatus ofclaim 20 wherein the holes in the device body are reinforced with stitching.