Professional Care PT. Occupational Therapy

HAND THERAPY: WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Hand therapy is a form of occupational therapy. While the title only specifies hands, this form of therapy focuses on the upper extremity as a whole, which also includes the wrist, forearm, elbow, arm, and shoulder. Hand therapists will treat injuries and ailments that affect the upper extremity and work toward returning the affected area to its highest level of function. At Professional Care Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, occupational therapy is important to us. We are happy to announce that our newest occupational therapist, Amanda Loevner, is also a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) who will be able to aid you in the recovery and rehabilitation of any upper extremity injury you may experience. If you are suffering from pain in the upper extremity, or if you have been living with a chronic condition that has been affecting the upper extremity, don’t hesitate to call us today! We will schedule an appointment for you and figure out the best steps for your treatment plan. Benefits Of Hand Therapy Hand therapy can treat a vast variety of conditions. Some of the most common include: • Strains • Sprains • Impingement • Tendinitis • Arthritis • Bursitis • Carpal tunnelsyndrome • Cubitaltunnelsyndrome The upper extremity is used multiple times throughout the day. Just think of your morning routine: you get out of bed, brush your teeth, shower, get dressed, make breakfast, and commute to work. In just that small portion of the day, you have already used your hands, wrists, forearms, elbows, arms, and shoulders hundreds of times. If you are suffering from one of the above conditions, or from a generalized pain that you can’t figure out, it can make completing even simple activities (such as your morning routine) difficult.

Hand therapy can help with that. It can relieve pain and get you back to comfortably performing your daily activities. In fact, according to the American Physical Therapy Association, conservative treatments have worked even better than surgical treatments for the correction of certain conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. But How Exactly Does It Work? A hand therapist typically uses manual techniques to manipulate the affected area, in order to release tension, swelling, and pain. Through the use of massage and hands-on treatments, patients can find significant improvement - sometimes after just one session! In some cases, additional techniques, such as ice and heat therapies, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation may also be used as part of your treatment plan, in order to enhance the healing process. Perhaps one of the biggest roles of a hand therapist, however, is prescribing targeted stretches and exercises. These will be dependent upon your diagnosis and will focus on improving your range of motion, strength, and overall function, so you can safely and comfortably perform your daily activities once again. A large part of hand therapy is helping patients regain their independence in day-to-day tasks and improving their quality of life. What Now? If you have been suffering from upper extremity pain, contact Professional Care Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation. We’ll help you schedule a consultation with Amanda so she can evaluate the extent of your condition and create a personalized hand therapy treatment plan for you. Your upper extremities are important aspects of your everyday life – find relief for them today.

Professional Care Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter