Hands for
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Relieving Arthritic Pains in Your Hands
Your therapist will also work with you on strategies and modifications that help you function better. Teaching you about your pain and how to manage it can help you get over the hump and regain your independence in day-to-day tasks and
A therapist typically uses manual techniques to manipulate the affected arthritic area to release tension, swelling, and pain. Through massage and hands-on treatments, patients can find significant improvement — sometimes after just one session! In some cases, additional techniques, such as heat therapies, ultrasound, or paraffin wax therapy may also be used as part of your treatment plan to manage your pain and keep symptoms at bay. However, one of the most significant roles of a therapist is prescribing targeted mobility and strengthening exercises to help you restore the use of your hands. These will be dependent upon the type and severity of your arthritis. Sometimes splints are needed to help you, especially at night.
pathology and provide appropriate treatment to optimize your outcomes. Your treatments will aim to relieve pain, promote healing, and relearn or modify
activities to make daily life easier. Call Today to Make an Appointment
improve the quality of your life. What to Expect at Your Hand Therapy Visit
A large part of therapy for your hand is helping you improve your range of motion, strength, and overall function so you can safely and comfortably perform your daily activities once again. At Hands for Living and Hand Therapy Northwest, our team will work closely with you to determine which course of treatment will be best for your specific needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to learn more about how hand therapy can relieve your upper extremity arthritis.
Your therapist will provide you with the necessary stretches and exercises to keep up with the progress you made during your sessions. It is crucial to make sure you complete these stretches and exercises independently so your arthritis doesn’t worsen. By combining findings from your exam, our therapists can determine the underlying
Sources: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0894113017302818; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32365314/; https://academic.oup.com/ rheumatology/article/45/5/577/1788575
Kari Ketner, Certified Hand Therapist As a Certified Hand Therapist, Kari is an occupational therapist specializing in hand and upper extremity conditions. Her professional interests include fractures, cumulative trauma injuries, post-surgical management, and fabrication of custom splints. Although she focuses on the upper extremity, her clinical practice has evolved to be more holistic. Through education, she has come to realize the importance of assessing posture and creating balance within the system. She assesses each client and creates an individualized treatment plan drawing from a variety of skills. Her skills include manual therapy, Bowenwork, L.I.F.T., ergonomics, postural re-education, stretching/ROM exercises, Astym, and customized home exercise programs. Kari believes that patient education regarding their condition and how to manage their health is essential to recovery.
“I love working with my patients and am dedicated to providing them compassionate care that helps them return to full activity in their daily lives.“ — Kari
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