Why was Helping Hands created?
Helping Hands was created to help people knit. Unable to find a knitting aid that would simply hold the needles and give aid, designer David Hill began to engineer a solution. Initially designed for suffers of rheumatoid arthritis although throughout it's design and development in conjunction with occupational therapists, physiotherapists and long term knitters the outcome is one that is suitable for any knitter who is experiencing difficulty.
How was it created?
During it's two year development over 100 concepts and prototypes were created and tested. Occupational therapists, physio-therapists and long term knitters all helped in the knitting aids creation. Helping Hands was subsequently short listed for the North England Arthritis Care Award 2007.
The design was continuosly refined and made simpler for ease of use with the final solution made from varnished birch ply and reflects knitting's hobby craft roots and only needing two simple steps to set up.
Introducing Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive and disabling auto-immune disease, meaning that RA causes the body’s own immune system to attack the joints, causing swelling and damaging the cartilage. It is an incredibly painful condition, often resulting in severe disability and joint disfigurement. Although RA can attack any joint it is the hands, feet, shoulders, elbows and wrists that are more commonly affected.
RA affects 0.8 per cent of the UK adult population, it also affects approximately three times more women than men and over 12,000 children under the age of sixteen. (Prof. Panayi 2006)
Due to the high ratio of women to men affected it was declared in 1996 that RA was a women’s health issue (Callahan, 1996) As a result of this it has also been cited that “gender-sensitive treatment is necessary.” (Chrysler and Parrot, 1995)
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Exercise.
Recent research carried out by the Arthritis Foundation is bringing new light to the idea that people with arthritis should not exercise for fear of exacerbating joint damage. In fact research is now indicating that “exercise is an essential tool in managing arthritis.” (Arthritis Foundation 2007)
The Arthritis Foundation also cites the benefits of regular, moderate exercise for the reduction of joint pain and stiffness and increased flexibility and endurance. More importantly that it also promotes overall health and fitness by “giving you more energy, helping you sleep better, decreasing depression and giving you more self-esteem.” (Arthritis Foundation 2007)
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Knitting.
A project named Stitchlinks is run by ex-physiotherapist Betsan Corkhill and is looking into the effectiveness of knitting as a therapy.
“There is the obvious hand exercise it (knitting) provides, but the most exciting discovery was the number of people who use knitting to deal with problems such as stress, depression and pain relief.” (Corkhill, 2007)
Corkhill cites her “research in 2004, proved with the help of MRI scans, that the brain’s attention can be diverted away from interpreting pain. It is now known that the intensity and unpleasantness of pain can be greatly affected by the amount of attention paid to it. The concentration required to focus in on a knitting pattern is having a similar effect. It appears to be breaking the vicious cycle of pain, disability, depression and stress that it is so easy to fall in to.”
RA, Knitting and Self Esteem.
The amount of positive testimonies regarding knitting boosting self confidence which can be found in knitting forums is endless:
“My Therapist said that knitting is good for relieving stress and good for self-confidence when knitting for the benefit of others… it is a great stress reliever for me and it gives me a sense of self confidence”
Tonya Stewert (www.ukhandknitting.com)
“My friend said to find something constructive, creative and relaxing and I did. I’m so pleased that I found knitting again.”
Mandy (www.ukhandknitting.com)
“I have found that knitting is such a relaxing sedative hobby. I love to start a new project and see it completed… not to mention compliments which boost self-esteem.”
Nicky Luke, Cornwall (www.ukhandknitting.com)
About heartdesign Limited.
heartdesign Limited is commited to designing and developing solutions for the every day problems that less-abled body people face. Visit www.heartdesign.co.uk for more information and a list of recent projects.
Helping Hands was created to help people knit. Unable to find a knitting aid that would simply hold the needles and give aid, designer David Hill began to engineer a solution. Initially designed for suffers of rheumatoid arthritis although throughout it's design and development in conjunction with occupational therapists, physiotherapists and long term knitters the outcome is one that is suitable for any knitter who is experiencing difficulty.
How was it created?
During it's two year development over 100 concepts and prototypes were created and tested. Occupational therapists, physio-therapists and long term knitters all helped in the knitting aids creation. Helping Hands was subsequently short listed for the North England Arthritis Care Award 2007.
The design was continuosly refined and made simpler for ease of use with the final solution made from varnished birch ply and reflects knitting's hobby craft roots and only needing two simple steps to set up.
Introducing Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive and disabling auto-immune disease, meaning that RA causes the body’s own immune system to attack the joints, causing swelling and damaging the cartilage. It is an incredibly painful condition, often resulting in severe disability and joint disfigurement. Although RA can attack any joint it is the hands, feet, shoulders, elbows and wrists that are more commonly affected.
RA affects 0.8 per cent of the UK adult population, it also affects approximately three times more women than men and over 12,000 children under the age of sixteen. (Prof. Panayi 2006)
Due to the high ratio of women to men affected it was declared in 1996 that RA was a women’s health issue (Callahan, 1996) As a result of this it has also been cited that “gender-sensitive treatment is necessary.” (Chrysler and Parrot, 1995)
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Exercise.
Recent research carried out by the Arthritis Foundation is bringing new light to the idea that people with arthritis should not exercise for fear of exacerbating joint damage. In fact research is now indicating that “exercise is an essential tool in managing arthritis.” (Arthritis Foundation 2007)
The Arthritis Foundation also cites the benefits of regular, moderate exercise for the reduction of joint pain and stiffness and increased flexibility and endurance. More importantly that it also promotes overall health and fitness by “giving you more energy, helping you sleep better, decreasing depression and giving you more self-esteem.” (Arthritis Foundation 2007)
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Knitting.
A project named Stitchlinks is run by ex-physiotherapist Betsan Corkhill and is looking into the effectiveness of knitting as a therapy.
“There is the obvious hand exercise it (knitting) provides, but the most exciting discovery was the number of people who use knitting to deal with problems such as stress, depression and pain relief.” (Corkhill, 2007)
Corkhill cites her “research in 2004, proved with the help of MRI scans, that the brain’s attention can be diverted away from interpreting pain. It is now known that the intensity and unpleasantness of pain can be greatly affected by the amount of attention paid to it. The concentration required to focus in on a knitting pattern is having a similar effect. It appears to be breaking the vicious cycle of pain, disability, depression and stress that it is so easy to fall in to.”
RA, Knitting and Self Esteem.
The amount of positive testimonies regarding knitting boosting self confidence which can be found in knitting forums is endless:
“My Therapist said that knitting is good for relieving stress and good for self-confidence when knitting for the benefit of others… it is a great stress reliever for me and it gives me a sense of self confidence”
Tonya Stewert (www.ukhandknitting.com)
“My friend said to find something constructive, creative and relaxing and I did. I’m so pleased that I found knitting again.”
Mandy (www.ukhandknitting.com)
“I have found that knitting is such a relaxing sedative hobby. I love to start a new project and see it completed… not to mention compliments which boost self-esteem.”
Nicky Luke, Cornwall (www.ukhandknitting.com)
About heartdesign Limited.
heartdesign Limited is commited to designing and developing solutions for the every day problems that less-abled body people face. Visit www.heartdesign.co.uk for more information and a list of recent projects.
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The Knitting and Stitching Show 2008
OCTOBER 2008
9 Oct - 12 Oct
Alexandra Palace London
NOVEMBER 2008
20 Nov - 23 Nov
International Centre
Harrogate
OCTOBER 2008
9 Oct - 12 Oct
Alexandra Palace London
NOVEMBER 2008
20 Nov - 23 Nov
International Centre
Harrogate
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Aug. 2008
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Aug. 2008
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