Supporting Wrist Fracture Rehabilitation with Functional Juggling Tools¶

Inspirál Circus Center - Budapest, Hungary**
Written by Gallyas Veronika

Introduction¶

This case study explores the use of Functional Juggling to support the rehabilitation process of a 70-year-old woman recovering from a wrist fracture. The work was carried out over a three-month period in Budapest, Hungary, as a collaboration between the patient and a juggling educator trained in adaptive circus arts. The aim was to use juggling-inspired tasks to increase mobility, reduce frustration, and create enjoyable, repetitive motion-based exercises that complemented physiotherapy goals.

Background and Approach¶

Wrist fractures, particularly of the carpal bones, are common in older adults due to falls. Recovery is often slow—regaining fine motor control can take six months or more. As a juggling educator with almost 30 years of experience and formal circus training, I was intrigued by the challenge of adapting circus tools to support this kind of rehabilitation.

I began by reviewing the physiotherapist’s diagnosis and recommended exercises. My goal was to “dress” these tasks in playful and engaging formats—what I call “putting them in juggling clothes.” At the same time, I wanted to introduce original movement sequences drawn from my years of experience teaching Functional Juggling.

Methodology and Tools¶

The work started while the client was still wearing a cast, using soft objects to encourage gentle finger movements. Later, we progressed to more complex tools and dynamic activities. I brought a wide range of props to each 1:1 session, selecting tools that could stimulate wrist motion without overloading it.

Key tools included:

Soft balls: rotating two balls in the palm stimulated finger mobility, both during and after the cast phase.
Poi: used for multi-directional wrist movement and micro-corrections in later stages of recovery.
Juggle Board: allowed for open-state sequences and adaptations like rolling with palms facing upward to stimulate wrist rotation.
Floating stick: ideal in the early phase due to limited mobility; it offered a sense of success and gentle stimulation.

All tools were left with the client between sessions to encourage daily practice.

Creative Strategies¶

Inspired by social circus methodologies, I introduced a mini-performance element. Together we choreographed a piece titled “Flea Circus”, set to music, where two fingers portrayed elephants balancing on a ball. This playful framing increased repetition, sparked imagination, and made the practice more emotionally rewarding.

The sessions were hosted at the client’s home, though we recognized the value of the Inspirál Circus Center’s group setting, where community presence and varied stimuli can be highly motivating.

Key Observations¶

Several factors contributed to the success of this process:

The therapeutic power of conversation: being able to share frustrations and triumphs proved emotionally supportive.
Bilateral engagement: we worked with both hands, even though only one was injured. This created opportunities for comparison and cross-lateral activation.
Video documentation of sessions boosted motivation by visibly tracking progress.
The juggling tasks helped identify and undo compensatory movement patterns, such as initiating wrist motions from the shoulder instead of the forearm.
The poi tool initially caused frustration—its difficulty and occasional contact with the body challenged the client. We adapted by switching to a poi with finger loops for better control.

Challenges and Reflections¶

One major challenge was my limited anatomical knowledge—while I could design effective movement sequences, I lacked a full understanding of the complex musculoskeletal architecture of the wrist. This at times made me feel uncertain.

For the client, the biggest challenge was not performing the tasks well. Yet the sense of joy and purpose she felt through ball manipulation—where success was tangible—offered a powerful emotional counterbalance.

An important element of our process was exploring the personal significance of injury. We discussed how the fracture might symbolically reflect boundaries, pace, or life redirection. This brought meaningful depth to our work beyond physical recovery.

Conclusion¶

This collaboration demonstrates how Functional Juggling can effectively support rehabilitation in a flexible, adaptive, and emotionally resonant way. It’s not a substitute for clinical care, but a vital complement—inviting joy, story, and play into the healing process. The client now continues her progress independently with her own poi and soft balls, having discovered new motivation and creative tools for self-care.

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