Hand therapy is the non-surgical treatment of hand illnesses and injuries that utilizes physical procedures such as exercise, splinting, and wound care. Hand physical therapy can address a variety of upper limb conditions – and not only those that directly impact the hand.
Some hand therapists also diagnose and treat common hand illnesses, such as arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, which may include administering injections and obtaining and interpreting x-rays.
Hand therapy integrates aspects of occupational therapy as well as physical therapy. In addition to assisting with the restoration of hand function, hand physical therapy may also provide support on an emotional and psychological level.
What injuries and illnesses does hand therapy treat?
Hand therapy plays an essential part in the rehabilitation process after injuries sustained to the hand or wrist, as well as surgical procedures performed on the hands. Some of the injuries hand physical therapy relieves include the following:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Tingling or numbness in the hand or arm, produced by a compressed nerve, is a symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Pinched nerves in the hand or arm may produce extreme pain, tingling, muscular weakness, or numbness. This condition is known as cubital tunnel syndrome.
Ganglion Cyst
Ganglion cysts are benign lumps that may form on the joints or tendons of the hand or wrist with an unknown cause.
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is characterized by discomfort, soreness, or swelling in the outer elbow, forearm, or wrist. This condition is brought on by the repeated motion of the arm and can be alleviated by hand therapy in Berkeley Heights, NJ.
Pain in the Hand
Discomfort in the hand occurs while moving the fingers or rotating the wrist.
Repetitive Motion Disorder
Overuse and repeated motion are the root causes of repetitive motion disorder, which may affect any area of the upper extremities and manifest as joint stiffness, tingling, pain, or muscle weakness.
Tendonitis
An inflamed tendon causes clicking, popping, stiffness, or discomfort in the finger, which is known medically as a trigger finger. This condition causes the finger to become permanently bent.
Golfer’s Elbow
Golfer’s elbow is a condition that may affect the hand, fingers, wrist, or elbow and is characterized by tingling, pain, or stiffness. This condition is brought on by repeated, strong stress to a region.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
Tenderness, soreness, or swelling in the wrist is caused by De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, which is produced by repeated movements.
Dupuytren’s Contracture
Dupuytren’s Contracture is characterized by a bowed finger or a lump that develops in the palm. This condition is brought on by a tightening and thickening of the tissues in the hand.
Swelling or Soreness
Any portion of the upper extremity may experience discomfort, swelling, or soreness as a result of trauma to the body. Sprains, dislocations, and fractures fall into this category.
Burns or Wounds
Any area of the upper extremity may be affected by burns and wounds, which manifest as redness, discomfort, peeling, or blistering as a result of injury to the skin or tissue. Contact FYZICAL Berkeley Heights clinic to get the best treatment.
Amputations
Amputations are the medical term for the removal of any portion of the upper extremity, whether it be a limb or an appendage, due to trauma, sickness, or disease.
Motor Function Deficit
Deficits in fine motor skills may affect the hands or fingers and can be the result of coordination issues or a weakening of the muscles. Fine motor skill deficiencies can be caused by dyspraxia, strokes, and other conditions.
Arthritis
Any area of the upper extremity may be affected by arthritis, which is characterized by intermittent or intense pain, swelling, stiffness, or a restricted range of motion. This condition can be brought on by infections, natural wear and tear, and certain disorders.
What to Expect During Hand Physical Therapy
Your hand therapist at Berkeley Heights physical therapy will want to monitor your progress at each session to ensure that you are making headway toward achieving your objectives.
In order to accomplish this goal, the therapist will conduct assessments of your range of motion, strength, posture, or nerve sensitivity at each and every session – based on your specific requirements.
In addition, your therapist will go through certain exercises with you that you may do in the comfort of your own home to speed up the recovery process. Your rehabilitation will proceed more quickly as a result of these activities than it would with simply treatment visits alone.
Take Away
Hand treatment is intended to alleviate pain rather than intensify it. Having said that, it is possible for exercising muscles to result in pain after the treatment has been completed.
Stretching may occasionally cause discomfort, although any soreness or sensitivity experienced often disappears within a day. It is the responsibility of your hand therapist to ensure that you are comfortable during your session. Pushing your body beyond its limits may make injuries much worse.