Hand Therapy

Hand Therapy is a type of rehabilitation performed by an occupational therapist or physical therapist on patients with conditions affecting the hands and upper extremities. Such therapy is performed by a provider with a high degree of specialization that requires continuing education, and often advanced certification. This enables the hand therapist to work with patients to hasten their return to a productive lifestyle.

Overview

Patients who are candidates for hand therapy may have been affected by an accident or trauma leaving them with wounds, scars, burns, injured tendons or nerves, fractures, or even amputations of the fingers, hands, or arms. Others include those who suffer from conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and Dupuytren's contracture.

The hand therapist employs a variety of techniques and tools, including activity and exercise programs, custom orthotic fabrication, pain and edema control, wound and scar care, and patient education. The therapist may also provide conditioning prior to returning to work.

Techniques

Hand therapists use a variety of techniques to help rehabilitate patients' hands. These include:

• Manual therapy: This involves the therapist using their hands to mobilize joints, massage and stretch tissues, and reduce pain.
• Therapeutic exercise: These are specific exercises designed to improve strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination.
• Orthotic fabrication: Hand therapists can design and create custom-made splints and braces to support and protect the hand.
• Pain management: This can involve a range of techniques, from heat and cold therapy to electrical stimulation and ultrasound.

Benefits

Hand therapy can offer numerous benefits, including improved hand function, decreased pain, and a quicker return to work and productive activities. It can also help patients avoid or reduce the need for surgery.

File:Hand therapy.jpg

Hand Therapy Session

See also

• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Rehabilitation (medicine)

‎ ‎

---

Translate: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, தமிழ், తెలుగు, Urdu, ಕನ್ನಡ, Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, বাংলা
European español, Deutsch, français, Greek, português do Brasil, polski, română, русский, Nederlands, norsk, svenska, suomi, Italian
Middle Eastern & African عربى, Turkish, Persian, Hebrew, Afrikaans, isiZulu, Kiswahili,
Other Bulgarian, Hungarian, Czech, Swedish, മലയാളം, मराठी, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ, ગુજરાતી, Portuguese, Ukrainian