Thanks, Leeneia. My wife is particularly interested in Holly Tannen's ideas (see the first reply to this thread) and she is going to set up a paraffin wax hand bath. Meanwhile, the pain has returned but not so bad. I'll report again on Friday week after my next session with Dr Chen. She also suggested that Dick Miles had the right idea by suggesting that I increase my unaccompanied work and be encouraged by Acorn (see above) and others, so I am working on it.