Are you experiencing pain in your hands and wrists? Do everyday tasks like typing, cooking, or even brushing your teeth feel difficult to accomplish? Hand therapy may be just the solution. Specializing in the rehabilitation of the upper extremities, a hand therapist evaluates movement and sensation problems associated with tendon injuries, fractures and sprains. From occupational therapists to physical therapists trained specifically for hand injury care – this blog post will explore all the ways that hand therapy can help improve mobility and decrease pain so that you can enjoy doing activities without worrying about discomfort. Read on to learn more about making sure your hands are at their best!
Hand therapy is a form of rehabilitation that uses physical and occupational therapies to provide non-operative interventions for hand injuries. Therapists evaluate the injury and develop an individualized treatment plan that includes therapeutic exercises, splinting, manual therapy techniques, wound care, activity modifications and other treatments. Through this approach, therapists can help restore strength and range of motion in the joints and muscles affected by the injury as well as improve fine motor skills. The goal of hand therapy is to reduce pain, restore function, prevent re-injury and facilitate overall healing.
Hand therapy can provide relief for a variety of conditions, from carpal tunnel syndrome to tendinitis. Working one-on-one with an experienced therapist, you can expect treatments such as therapeutic exercises and stretching, manual therapy techniques and joint mobilization, to name just a few. All these treatments focus on improving the range of motion in the joints and muscles affected by your injury.
Hand therapy is a valuable tool for those who have suffered hand-related injuries as it helps to reduce pain and improve mobility and functionality in the affected area. It also serves as an important source of support for patients and their families as they work through the rehabilitation process. By providing non-operative interventions, hand therapy often helps avoid surgical intervention or delay surgery until other treatments have been exhausted. Ultimately, this means that people can get back to activities of daily living sooner when using hand therapy treatments, which leads to improved quality of life down the road.
In addition to pain management, hand therapy helps promote healing through wound care and scar management; this includes cleaning wounds or ulcers as well as developing methods to diminish the visibility of scars over time. Your therapist will also be able to suggest ways that you can modify activities to help reduce symptoms and avoid further irritation or discomfort. For instance, they may recommend using an ergonomic keyboard or specific tools to help you perform tasks with minimal risk of injury.
During hand therapy sessions, therapists typically assess the range of motion and strength of the affected extremity, as well as observe for swelling or scarring. They also evaluate how well the patient can move their fingers, hands, and wrists. After careful evaluation, a therapist will develop an individualized treatment plan to help the patient reach their goals. This may include therapeutic exercises that focus on restoring motion and improving grip strength; manual therapy techniques such as joint mobilization and soft tissue massage; modalities like ultrasound or electrical stimulation to reduce pain; and the use of assistive devices such as splints.
Hand therapy is beneficial in many ways, not only providing relief from pain and improving functionality but also providing support throughout the rehabilitation process. Your therapist will be there to provide guidance and answer any questions you may have as you work toward recovery. Ultimately, hand therapy can help patients regain their independence and improve their overall quality of life. If your hands are affecting your daily activities, let us know at Dynamic Rehab, Inc.! We will help you move forward with a customized therapy program tailored to tackle all the issues currently affecting your hands. Don’t wait – contact us today for an appointment!
