Facilitation Technique Category: Therapeutic Use of Magic

Title: The Jumping Rubber Band

Source: Bedini, L. A. (n.d.). Therapeutic Use of Magic. In Facilitation Techniques in
Therapeutic Recreation (3rd ed., pp. 439-455). Venture Publishing.
Equipment: One rubber band or soft ponytail holder that is purchased in bulk
Activity Description:
Magic has a long and rich history. For centuries it has been captivating peoples attention
across a vast population of individuals of different cultures ("Healing of Magic"). Particularly,
magic has been found to be beneficial when used as a therapeutic intervention. The purpose of
providing magic as a therapeutic intervention is to provide an innovative way to address myriad
treatment outcomes in all domains [and] bring the elements of intrigue and wonder that serve
to motivate and engage a wide variety of participants in increasing motivational levels and selfesteem. Therapeutic magic is the individuals learning how to perform magic tricks while
developing a repertoire of tricks to specifically address participant treatment goals (Bedini,
"Therapeutic Use of Magic"). The tricks participants choose will work to improve performance
on tasks identified as important by the individuals, their families, and all other relevant people.
The Jumping Rubber Band trick works fine motor skills.
The first step of the performer is to tell inform the audience that you have a magic rubber
band that can magically jump from one set of fingers to the other, explaining that the rubber band
is a normal rubber band and that nothing is being concealed in the other hand, presenting both
hands. The magician will then distract the audience with questions or pleasant banter, making
eye contact with the audience while chatting to keep them from looking at his/her hand. When
the magician has the rubber band in position over the finger tips the magician focuses attention
on the magic that is about to occur. The magician can use his/her free hand to wave it over the
fist and say a magical phrase and complete the steps of the trick. First, hold up your nondominant hand as if in a wave, but with all 5 fingers separated and facing the audience, next
place the rubber band over the index and middle fingers of that hand. Then, using your dominant
hand, stretch the rubber band on the palm side away from the hand and show the audience both
sides of your hand. The fourth step is to place the back of your hand facing the audience and the
palm of your hand to be facing you. You should still be holding the stretched rubber band away
from your palm. Next, keeping the rubber band around the lowest art of your fingers closest to
your hand, as opposed to fingertips pull the rubber band with the side facing you wide enough to
lower all four fingers, not including your thumb, into the hold created by the stretched out rubber
band. Then, bring your fingers that remain extended together with no spaces between them and
then lower them into the space provided by the rubber band. Carefully release the rubber band
against your fingertips. The rubber band should be resting on or just above the nails of your four
fingers. Then, open your hand and the rubber band should have jumped from your index and
middle fingers to your ring and pinky fingers (Bedini, "Therapeutic Use of Magic"). This trick
can be taught in a 1:1 to a 1:4 participants to facilitator ratio and then performed in front of up to
a 1:15 participant to audience ratio, unless there are more people interested in viewing.
Leadership considerations:

A CTRS can be the facilitator of this activity. Regardless of the title, the facilitator should
have some foundational knowledge on the therapeutic use of magic with different populations.
The facilitator should know the population he/she will be working with in order to make
appropriate adaptations to the activity before implementing the activity. The facilitator should
also understand the benefits of utilizing this technique, such as addressing goals associated with
increasing the ability to grasp, manually extend and flex, rotate wrist, sequence and time of steps,
communicate, and to improve self-esteem once the trick is performed successfully. It is
important for the facilitator to express and demonstrate the importance of practicing the
technique a few times before demonstrating it to other individuals to ensure its success and
discuss possible feelings and alternative solutions with the individuals in the event that the trick
does not go as planned. As noted in the text, To assure success, TR specialists must be willing to
invest time and energy to conduct task analyses to match participant goals to selected tricks.
Adaptations:
Participants who have had an amputation or have prosthesis:
An amputation is the complete loss of all limb elements below a certain point. A person
may have an amputation due to a variety of reasons including, limb disease, trauma, or a
congenital malformation. There are different types of lower and upper extremity amputations,
characterized by the location of the amputation. Where a prosthesis is an artificial replacement
of a part of the body. One adaptation to this activity includes pairing the participant with
another participant or a staff member to conduct the trick; one person can be responsible for each
hand. The CTRS can adapt the size of the rubber band to appropriately fit the individual. As well
as provide the individual with a comfortable chair to sit in, instead of standing to perform the
trick. With a lower limb amputation, the residual limb should be straight, not propped up on
pillows, to prevent hip contractures. Allow for periods of breaks, such as intermissions.
Participants who have Fibromyalgia:
Fibromyalgia is a soft-tissue rheumatism in adults that is characterized by widespread
pain for at least three months and pain and tenderness in at least seven of the 19 body areas.
This may cause significant pain and fatigue. Due to this, it is important to allow for flexible
scheduling with individuals, as some days may be better than other. If practice schedules need to
be shorter in time one day, allow for this. Provide the individual with a tennis ball or other firm
object that he/she may utilize to massage painful areas. Provide rubber mats for the individual to
stand on when he/she is standing, and have a chair handy in case he/she needs to sit down.
Remind the participant to wear comfortable shoes with padding and support. Have temperature
treatments available, such as heat and cold treatments. As heat can be utilized for reducing pain
that results from muscle tension. The warmth increases blood flow, producing relaxation and a
reduction of stiffness and pain. While cold treatments decrease inflammation by reducing blood
flow to an area.
Adaptation References:
-

Porter, H. R. (2015). 14. Fibromyalgia and Juvenile Fibromyalgia.

In Recreational Therapy for Specific Diagnoses and Conditions
(pp.153-159). Enumclaw, WA: Idyll Arbor.
Porter, H. R. (2015). 1. Amputation and Prosthesis.

In Recreational Therapy for Specific Diagnoses and

Conditions (pp. 5-15). Enumclaw, WA: Idyll Arbor.
Healing of Magic. (n.d.). Retrieved October 26, 2016, from http://www.magictherapy.com/
Fibromyalgia Numbness: Causes and Coping - NewLifeOutlook. (n.d.). Retrieved October
27, 2016, from http://fibromyalgia.newlifeoutlook.com/fibromyalgia-numbness/
Bedini, L. A. (n.d.). Therapeutic Use of Magic. In Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic
Recreation (3rd ed., pp. 439-455). Venture Publishing.