Physical therapy is no more an unheard word in modern hospital treatment. But people might be heard less about hand therapy. Physical therapy and hand therapy are kind of similar but there is a little difference between these two.
Our hands are the most used body part and need extra care when injured. Not only the hand but also other body parts of our upper extremity needs proper care to live a normal life.
Let’s know everything about this therapy, hand therapist, and how this therapy is beneficial for you. We will also help you find the best hand therapist in the town. Stay tuned until the end of the article and share your thoughts with us.
What is Hand Therapy?
Most people often get confused about hand therapy and misinterpret it with physical therapy. Physical therapy treats body parts like the knee, hip, back, neck, shoulders, and feet whereas hand therapy treats specifically from shoulder to hand with all muscles and joints in between. This kind of therapy is the art of treating various health conditions and injuries of the hand and upper extremity. The treatment covers the arm, forearm, elbow, wrist, hand, and shoulder. Hand therapy can help the patient to return to a higher level of function.
What illness does hand therapy treat?
Hand therapy aims to treat many health conditions – both pre and post-operations. It helps lessen the pain and provides maximum flexibility and functionality to the patient. This kind of therapy works positively in the following conditions but is not limited to:
- Arthritis
- Amputation
- Burns and wounds
- Dislocation, fractures, and sprains
- Trigger finger
- Repetitive motion disorder
- Pain in hand
- Golfer’s elbow
- Tennis elbow
- Ganglion cyst in hand or wrist
- Cubital tunnel syndrome
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
- Fine motor skill deficiency
Some standard hand therapy types
Hand therapy is used in rehabilitation treatments that are non-operative. A certified hand therapist understands your condition and provides the treatment program that is suitable for you. This therapy is also used in treating post-surgical conditions. Here are some of the types of This therapy that therapists follow to treat any condition.
- Occupational conditioning
- Movement of joints
- Range of motion activities
- Strength exercise
- Scar management
- Pain management
- Taping
- Cold and hot pack
- Whirlpool
- Soft tissue procedure
- Dexterity training
- Electrical stimulation
- Injury avoidance education
- Iontophoresis
What does hand therapy provide?
Hand therapy is bliss for patients who suffer from health issues in hand and any part of the upper extremity. Here are some of the benefits of this therapy:
- Helps ease long-lasting or recent pain
- Nerve related problems can be reduced
- Treats many conditions without operation
- Helps to get back to work, sports and pursue hobbies
- Helps in after surgery recovery
- Special tools can help to learn everyday activities
- Helps with movement and strengthen with home exercise
- Helps and prevents stiffness
- Treats injured bone
- Prevents infection and scar treatment
What is a Hand therapist?
A hand therapist is an occupational therapist (OT) or physical therapist (PT) with expertise in physical therapies. Hand therapists are trained to treat any health issue in hand and other parts of the upper extremity. Specialized in treating various conditions, hand therapists are professionals with years of experience with proper knowledge and skills. After years of practice, they become Certified Hand Therapists (CHT). When the therapist finds the problem associated with the pain, they start treating the cause, and with regular therapy, you feel better and recover from the health problems.
Who is eligible for hand therapy and who is not?
Hand therapy is for patients who suffer from fractures, tendinitis, lacerations (lesion), wear and tear, sprain, trauma, wounds, hyper or hyposensitivity. Amputation of finger, arthrosis, and arthritis patients can also get benefits from hand therapy.
But there are instances where patients are having injury or trauma in any other specific body parts like leg, back, and abdomen. In such cases, this therapy can’t provide relief because it is limited to treating the peripheral area of the hand and shoulder. In that case, physical therapy can help.
Are there any side effects of hand therapy?
There are no known side effects of this therapy till now. But sometimes due to improper treatment and unprofessional therapy sessions, people may face problems. In such cases consult a doctor immediately. There are certain symptoms a patient may experience that lead to uncomfortable and raise in pain.
- Swelling and pain
- Sensation
- Muscles soreness
- Hostility
- Chest pain
The above side-effects are less felt and not serious. You may not feel any of these also. If any or all of these side effects persist for a longer time, please consult a doctor as soon as possible.
How can a hand therapist help me?
Hand therapists understand the health condition by observing the symptoms and bridging the gap from medical treatment. They help in getting back to your normal life with proper treatment. Hand therapists provide preventive care, non-operative treatments, and rehabilitation in post-operation. Several upper extremities are treated with the help of a professional hand therapist. It may be a finger injury, sprain, or a complex issue in the upper extremity.
Therapists can help in treating acute and chronic health conditions like arthritis, neuro problems, strokes, wear and tear to name a few. With the help of several tools, exercise programs, pain management, and scar care- a hand therapist can help you get back to work, sports, pursue your hobbies, and improve better work habits,
How do I find a hand therapist?
With the evolving online platforms, finding a hand therapist is no more a task now. But finding the right one is really not so easy. To locate a hand therapist in your area you have to enquire a lot and take suggestions from nearby. If you are finding for the best hand therapist, you can reach Therapy.
Brooklyn Hand Therapy center is an extension of Park Sports physical therapy center. The center has a number of certified hand therapists with years of experience with rich knowledge and understanding.
We assure high-quality therapy for post-surgical recovery, sports injuries, occupational injuries, and many more.
If you think this therapy is something you need at this point in time, then contact us now and our expert Certified Hand Therapist for a session. No need to live with the pain and limit yourself from living a normal life.