Do your hands, wrists, or forearms ache on a daily basis, even when completing simple tasks? Are your daily activities, such as typing or writing, harsh on those areas? Do you tend to feel painful stings with arm, hand, or wrist movement? If so, you may be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome.
Living Hands for
SPECIALTY EXPERTISE For Shoulders, Arms, and Hands
NEWSLETTER
GiveYour Hands aBreak when Returning to School
www.handsforliving.com
Living Hands for
SPECIALTY EXPERTISE For Shoulders, Arms, and Hands
NEWSLETTER
Give Your Hands a Break when Returning to School
Tips for Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Do your hands, wrists, or forearms ache on a daily basis, even when completing simple tasks? Are your daily activities, such as typing or writing, harsh on those areas? Do you tend to feel painful stings with arm, hand, or wrist movement? If so, you may be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition for students to experience when participating in excessive typing or writing for theirclasses. It isaconditionthatcancausenumbness,stiffness, or pain that can radiate through your fingers, hands, wrists, or forearms.This happens when toomuch pressure is put onyour median nerve, located at the base of your palm. Your carpal tunnel is a narrow channel, about the width of your thumb, located on your wrist under the palm. It protects the median nerve, as well as the tendons you use to bend
your fingers. When excessive pressure is put on the median nerve, it causes crowding and irritation of the nerve, making it difficult for it to do its job. This, eventually, is what leads to carpal tunnel syndrome. Many people will correct this condition with surgery; however, our Certified Hand Therapists (CHTs) have proven to be just as successful (if not more so!) in treating this condition. At Hands for Living, we will safely and comfortably treat your carpal tunnel symptoms so you can have a comfortable and successful school year. For more information about how we can help restore your hands and life to pain-free living, call our office today at 425-368-7943 or visit us online at www.handsforliving.com.
www.handsforliving.com
Finding the Cause and the Solution for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Essentially, any excessive use of the fingers, wrists, hands, or forearms can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. This is why students so frequently experience it, because classroom activities involve constant use of the hands and wrists. It is a very common condition, affecting approximately 1 out of every 20 Americans. Some health conditions can also lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, such as: • Previous injury to the wrist, including strains, sprains, dislocations, and fractures. • Fluid retention, typically during pregnancy. • Use of medication, typically steroids. • Hormone or metabolic changes, including thyroid imbalances, pregnancy, and menopause. • Degenerative and rheumatoid arthritis. • Diabetes. How Can I Tell If I Need Surgery? In some severe cases, surgery may be a necessary step in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. However, inmost cases, hand therapy alone is enough to treat the condition completely. In fact, in a study published by the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, the effects of the two methods of treatment were thoroughly tested.
Based on the known side effects and risks associated with surgery, in addition to the knowledge that over 1/3 of patients are unable to return to school or work within 8 weeks after receiving their operation, researchers decided to test whether more conservative treatments could be used in replacement of surgical procedures. The results were overwhelmingly positive. 100 women with carpal tunnel syndrome were studied; 50 had received surgery, and 50 had received hand therapy. The hand therapy patients were treated with manual therapy techniques, focusing on the median nerve, in addition to stretching exercises given by their therapists. After one month, these patients had much better function during their daily activities than the surgery patients, and demonstrated stronger grip strength overall. At 3, 6, and 12 months, patients in bothgroupsshowedsimilar improvements with function and grip strength. What Can I Do on My Own? Fortunately, there are some precautions you can take to make sure you don’t develop carpal tunnel syndrome when you return to school. If you notice pain in your fingers, hands, wrists, or forearms, you can purchase a brace to ease tension while you type and write. Additional exercises you can do to prevent these areas from becoming stiff and/or provide
pain relief include: • Spiders Doing Push-ups: Begin with your hands clasped together in prayer position.Then spread your fingers apart as far as they can go. Next, create a triangle shape by separating your palms, but keeping your fingers together still. • Shake It Off: Shake out your hands, as if you have just washed themand you’re trying to air dry them. • Deep Wrist Stretch: Begin with your arm stretched straight in front of you, elbow locked, and fingers pointing downward. Spread your fingers slightly and use your other hand to press down and apply gentle pressure to your wrist and fingers, slowly pushing them as far as they’ll go. When you’ve reached maximum flexibility, hold this position for 20 seconds. When you’re finished, repeat with your other hand. Hands for Living is dedicated toward helping you achieve a pain-free life, with the least amount of discomfort possible. If you have been noticing pain in your upper extremities from schoolwork, the best decision is to contact us as soon as possible to set up a consultation with one of our CHTs. Contact us today to find out how we can relieve your carpal tunnel pains! Call us at 425- 368-7943 or visit us online at www.handsforliving.com.
www.handsforliving.com
STAFF SPOTLIGHT Welcome Emily Damon! EMILY DAMON
FEATURED SERVICE Custom Orthoses
OccupationalTherapy Assistant Emily was introduced to hand therapy through one of her clinical rotations and discovered a passion for helping people return to their activities of daily living using one of themost utilized parts of the body. She is furthering her education and specialization inhandtherapy to include the use of custom hand supports, scar release therapy, and active release techniques. Emilycontinuestoadvanceherhandtherapyandoccupational therapy assistant skills through continuing education and working closely with Certified Hand Therapists to provide the best care to all her patients. When not working, Emily enjoys spending time with her husband, kids and pets at home or binging her favorite show, West Wing.
At Hands for Living, we can create a custom orthoses specifically for your needs. Our Lynnwood hand therapists will design a personalized treatment plan dependant on your diagnosis and mobility level,aswellascustomorthosesthatwillhelprelievepain, improve your range of motion, and increase strength. Dependingontheseverityofyourcondition,thereareamultitude of different braces that may help in making daily activities easier to perform. Custom braces can help with the alignment of joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, allowing for optimum healing. By working closely with one of our highly trained Lynnwood hand therapists, you can be confident that you have the proper brace forfacilitatinghealingandprotectingyourupperextremityduring your recovery. To find out if CustomOrthoses could benefityou, call us today at 425-368-7943.
www.handsforliving.com
Hand Exercise Helps with Flexibility
Patient Spotlight
WRIST FLEXOR STRETCH
“You all have been so amazing, taking care of my hand so I’m able to get back to work.” “ Thank you ladies, especially Hilary my amazing therapist, for making my experience here at Hands for Living the best. You all have been so amazing, taking care of my hand so I’m able to get back to work. It’s been a blast. I can’t thank you enough. I’ll definitely be back to visit again. I recommend going here if you need it. Big hugs.” - J. T.
www.simpleset.net
Use your unaffected hand to bend the affected wrist up as shown. Keep the elbow straight on the affected side the entire time.
A ONE DAY SPECIAL OFFER FOR ALL PRESENT AND PAST PATIENTS OF Hands for Living
Dear Valued Client, This October marks the return of therapist Helen Reillyfromher maternity leave after the birth of her beautiful baby boy! We want to do something special to celebrate! This is our BIG THANK YOU for allowing us to serve you. To thank you, our valued clients, we are having a day of completely Free Exams for:
•All past clients who have not been seen in therapy in more than 3 months •All present clients who have another problem currently not being treated
•All loved ones, family, friends, neighbors and co-workers of our past and present patients If you are a past or present patient, then call 425-368-7943 to schedule your Free Exam. If you are referring a friend or family member, give them the certificate included in this letter and have them call 425-368-7943 to schedule their Free Exam. The day of Free Exams will be on: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH FROM 11:00 AM TO 3:00 PM The Free Exam consists of a 30-minute one-on-one appointment with one of our Hand Therapists. The therapist will talk with you about the history of your problem. They will take measurements to test how well you are moving and to test your strength. After a thorough exam, they will give you a written copy of: 1. The cause of your pain or problem. 2. A plan for successful treatment. The appointments are free but are limited as each OT only has 8 available spots. Call 425-368-7943 now to schedule your Free Exam.
The Free Exam is ideal for people suffering with:
• Motor Vehicle Accidents
• Hand and Wrist Pain • Elbow Pain • Work Injuries
• Shoulder Pain • Arthritis • Tendonitis
If you are having pain or problems with day to day activities such as cooking, dressing, opening bottles/ jars, sleeping, work hobbies or sports, then this is an excellent opportunity to see one of our world-class therapists and find out the cause of your problem.
Call 425-368-7943 to schedule your Free Exam for November 6th.
Sincerely, JoAnn Keller, Occupational Therapist, Certified Hand Therapist
PhotoBy:AmyEnderle
Living Hands for
SPECIALTY EXPERTISE For Shoulders, Arms, and Hands (425)-368-7943
A Day of Completely FREE Exams • C E R T I F I C A T E •
• WHATYOU GET: Free 30-Minute One-on-One Appointment with One of Our Hand Therapists • WHEN: Wednesday, November 6th 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM • WHY: Help You Enjoy Life Again Pain-Free! • WHATYOU NEED TO DO: Call 425-368-7943 This coupon may be given to friends & family!
Living Hands for
Now Is The Time To Get Back to a Pain-Free Life!
SPECIALTY EXPERTISE For Shoulders, Arms, and Hands 19221 36th Ave W, Suite 213
Lynnwood, WA 98036 (425)-368-7943
www.handsforliving.com
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