3 Signs You Need Hand Therapy

3 Signs You Need Hand Therapy

Your hands are a powerful tool, capable of performing various tasks – from typing to writing to playing an instrument. Unfortunately, if you don’t care for them, they can get injured and cause much pain and discomfort. Hand therapy is a form of physical therapy that focuses on the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of the upper limbs. It can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, from simple aches and pains to more severe injuries. Read more to look out for the signs that you may need hand therapy and how Pro Staff occupational therapy helps you get back to doing the things you love.

What is Hand Therapy?

Hand therapy is a specialized rehabilitation to treat conditions affecting the hands, wrists, and arms. Hand therapy can include a range of techniques, such as exercises, splinting, and massage, to help patients regain strength, agility, and mobility in their hands and arms.

According to studies, hand injuries are common and can significantly impact a person’s quality of life and ability to perform daily activities. It is estimated that nearly 25% of occupational injuries are hand injuries, accounting for around 10% of emergency department visits.

This is where Pro Staff can help. As a leading occupational therapy and rehabilitation services provider, we offer various hand therapy services to help patients recover from hand injuries and conditions. Our team of experienced hand therapists is trained to provide personalized treatment plans based on each patient’s individual needs and goals.

Who Needs Hand Therapy?

Hand therapy can benefit many individuals experiencing hand or arm pain or who have suffered an injury. Some of the factors that may indicate a need for hand therapy include:

• Recent injury or surgery to the hand, wrist, or arm
• Pain or stiffness in the hand, wrist, or arm
• Limited range of motion in the hand, wrist, or arm
• Numbness or tingling in the hand, wrist, or arm
• Weakness in the hand, wrist, or arm
• Difficulty with daily activities that require the use of the hands, such as brushing teeth or opening jars
• Arthritis or other conditions affecting the hands or wrists

Hand therapy may be appropriate for individuals of all ages, from children with congenital hand conditions to adults with work-related injuries or age-related conditions like arthritis. A hand therapist can work closely with the individual and their healthcare team to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses their unique needs and goals.

What Can Hand Therapy Help With?

Hand therapy is a specialized area of rehabilitation that focuses on treating conditions affecting the hands, wrists, and arms. It can help with various injuries and conditions, from minor sprains and strains to more severe conditions like arthritis and nerve damage.

According to the American Society of Hand Therapists, hand therapy can be used to treat a variety of injuries and conditions, including:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tendonitis
• Trigger finger
• Tennis elbow
• Arthritis
• Fractures and dislocations
• Nerve injuries
• Dupuytren’s contracture
• Burns and scars

Patients can benefit from hand therapy in many ways, including:

• Pain relief
• Improved range of motion
• Increased strength and flexibility
• Better hand and arm function for daily activities
• Faster recovery from injuries or surgeries

A hand therapist will work closely with the patient to develop a personalized treatment plan that may include exercises, manual therapy, splinting, and other modalities. The goal is to help the patient regain function and reduce pain as quickly and effectively as possible.

If you are experiencing hand or arm pain or have suffered an injury, hand therapy may help. Consult an expert physical therapist to see if hand therapy suits you.

3 Signs You Need Hand Therapy

If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your hands, wrists, or arms, it may be a sign that you need hand therapy. Here are three specific symptoms that could indicate the need for hand therapy:

• Limited range of motion: If you are having trouble moving your hand, wrist, or arm through its full range of motion, hand therapy may help. A hand therapist can work with you to develop exercises and stretches that can help improve your range of motion and reduce pain.
• Weakness or loss of grip strength: If you are experiencing liability or a loss of grip strength in your hand or arm, hand therapy may help you regain strength and improve your ability to perform daily activities. Hand therapy exercises can help strengthen the muscles in your hands and arms and improve your grip.
• Difficulty with daily activities: If you are having trouble performing everyday activities that require using your hands, such as brushing your teeth or holding a pen, hand therapy may help you regain function and reduce pain. A hand therapist can work with you to develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and goals.

If you are experiencing any of these signs, it may be time to talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits of hand therapy. A hand therapist can help you identify the underlying cause of your pain or discomfort and develop a personalized treatment plan to help you regain function and reduce pain.

How does Physical Therapy Help with Hand Injuries?

Physical therapy is an essential part of the treatment process for hand injuries. Here are some of the ways that physical therapy can help with hand injuries:

• Reducing pain and inflammation: Physical therapy can help reduce pain and inflammation in the affected area through manual therapy, ultrasound, and ice or heat therapy.
• Restoring range of motion: Physical therapy can help restore the range of motion in the hand, wrist, and arm through exercises and stretches designed to improve flexibility and reduce stiffness.
• Improving strength and function: Physical therapy can help improve strength and function in the hand, wrist, and arm through exercises designed to strengthen the muscles and improve coordination.
• Preventing further injury: Physical therapy can help prevent further damage by teaching proper body mechanics and ergonomics and identifying and addressing any underlying issues that may have contributed to the injury.
• Enhancing recovery: Physical therapy can help improve recovery by promoting blood flow and circulation to the affected area and providing support and guidance throughout the healing process.

Overall, physical therapy can be crucial in helping individuals recover from hand injuries and regain function in their hands and arms. A physical therapist can work closely with the individual and their healthcare team to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses their unique needs and goals.

Why Choose Pro Staff for Physical Therapy to Improve Hand Injuries?

Hands are an essential part of the body that many of us rely on for work, performing daily tasks, and living a generally comfortable quality of life. After suffering an injury, a physical dysfunction may occur in the hands. Pro Staff hand therapists will work with you to develop a completely customized treatment plan. Through a proprietary set of exercises designed to treat your specific condition, the goal is to replace the dysfunction with functional movement to help you rehab to better health. Contact us for an appointment.

Pro Staff Institute, LLC, has a network of outpatient physical rehabilitation centers in New Jersey. Pro Staff was founded in 2010 by Frank Pavlisko and Michael Maffucci. Through Frank’s 25 plus years experience in Physical Therapy and Michael’s experience in Management Services, our goal is to exceed customer expectations by providing the highest quality of service in a fun, family, friendly, and encouraging environment.