Hand therapy makes a real difference to countless patients dealing with musculoskeletal conditions. The process of hand therapy treatment and care make the rehabilitation phase easier, quicker, and more effective while also helping patients as they deal with chronic conditions.
At JAG Physical Therapy, we are the most trusted hand therapy provider in the NY, NJ, and PA area, and our skilled and empathetic therapy staff delivers custom care that’s focused on your lifestyle. Contact us today to learn more about the hand therapy program at JAG PT, or find your nearest JAG PT clinic location.
What Is Hand Therapy?
Hand therapy is a branch of physical therapy that focuses on the arm. Hand therapists may treat any injury or condition affecting the fingers, the hand itself, the wrist, the forearm, the elbow, or the upper arm, right up to the shoulder.
To practice as a hand therapist in the United States, medical professionals must be qualified as an occupational or physical therapist, as well as receive further certification specifically in hand therapy. To achieve this certified hand therapist (CHT) status, professionals must practice for at least three years, clocking 4,000+ hours of treatment in relevant areas. Here at JAG Physical Therapy, we offer CHT services to our patients at many of our locations, and all our hand therapists meet the very highest standards of care.
Common Conditions Treated with Hand Therapy
What kind of conditions can benefit from a program of hand therapy? There are many answers to this question, but here are a few of the most common examples:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition associated with nerve damage in the wrist. Nerves become pinched or constrained within the wrist, creating a numbness or tingling that manifests across other areas of the hand or arm. This condition is very common and is associated with repetitive tasks such as clicking a mouse on the computer. Hand therapy can ease the constriction in the wrist, returning the hand or arm to its normal function.
Trigger Finger
Trigger finger refers to a constriction or jarring within one of the fingers and is generally caused by a tendon within this finger. The tendon becomes swollen or inflamed and then contracts, pulling the finger into a bent position similar to the movement used to squeeze the trigger on a gun. The finger may suddenly release, snapping back to a straightened orientation, but it may be painful and uncomfortable for the sufferer.
Tendon Injuries
Tendons connect our muscles to our bones, providing the high-strength links that our musculoskeletal system needs to move and function in the right way. Tendons can be found across the arm, from the fingers up to the shoulder, and they can become damaged or injured in many different ways, such as in cases of tendonitis and strains. Hand therapy can assist here, providing the rehabilitative care required to bring tendons back to health and restore movement and function to the arm.
Arthritis
Arthritis refers to swelling within the joints, which makes movement and function difficult and painful. Arthritis can be the result of years of wear and tear, which is why it is common in older people, but other forms of arthritis exist, such as rheumatoid arthritis, that can affect people of any age. When arthritis occurs in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, or finger joints, it can be highly debilitating, making everyday tasks difficult and painful, which is why hand therapy can make a great deal of difference for arthritis sufferers.
Bone Fractures and Joint Dislocations
Broken wrists, forearms, and elbows are among the most common injuries suffered in the United States each year. This is due to the way we often use our hands and arms to protect ourselves — if we fall, we are likely to put our hands out in front of us to soften the impact, and this can put our arms at risk of damage. Dislocations can also occur — this happens when bones within a joint are misaligned and need to be put back in place. Shoulder dislocations are common, but elbow and finger dislocations can also cause problems with using the hands. A dislocation may involve broken bones as well as torn ligaments and tendons, all of which may require a course of hand therapy during rehabilitation.
Dupuytren's Contracture
Dupuytren's contracture occurs when the soft tissues beneath the skin of the hand begin to harden and tighten. This tightening may become visible, forming a hard lump beneath the skin that inhabits normal hand function. However, the more severe symptoms of this condition may occur in the fingers — the hardening tissues contract and pull the fingers toward the palm of the hand. One or more fingers may curl into a claw-like shape, similar to the one seen in cases of trigger finger. However, unlike trigger finger, Dupuytren's contracture may not permit the fingers to snap back into position, and a course of hand therapy may be required to restore normal function and orientation.
Nerve Disorders
Neurological issues can take many forms within the hand and arm. The nerves can become damaged following trauma, or they can become pinched within joints. This may result in pain and severe discomfort, or it may lead to numbness and loss of feeling. The complex nature of the nervous system and the diverse array of different symptoms and responses mean that accurate diagnosis is necessary for patients who may be suffering from nerve damage.
Ligament and Soft Tissue Tears
As noted above, tendons connect muscles and bones, but there are many other types of soft tissue in the hand and arm. There are the muscles themselves, which provide motive power, and there are the ligaments, which connect bone to bone, supporting the structure of the hand and arm. All these tissues can become damaged and torn, either following an acute injury or due to long-term usage. Hand therapy can be deployed to strengthen these soft tissues after primary treatment is administered and during the recovery phase.
Crush Injuries and General Trauma
If the hand or arm becomes trapped in something — a closing door or a piece of machinery, for example — a crush injury can be the result. Crush injuries cause trauma to the hand or arm, and reconstructive treatments may be required to restore its function. Hand therapy will come later as patients regain full strength and range of motion after significant trauma.
Hand Therapy During Rehabilitation
In all of the above conditions, hand therapy is applied during the rehabilitation process or across a long-term process of care. The techniques used in this therapy may not be suitable for primary treatment, but they can be very useful as they help patients to make a full recovery.
Hand Therapy Treatments
JAG PT's hand therapists offer a range of different treatments to our patients, giving them the care they need to manage chronic conditions and progress through a course of rehabilitation. These treatments include:
Therapeutic Exercises and Stretching
Patients can benefit from regular exercise and stretching, and hand therapists provide the guidance and understanding these patients need as they follow these exercises in the right way.
Manual Therapy Techniques
The hand therapist may need to physically manipulate the affected body part as part of a manual therapy program, moving the hand or arm through the proper range of motion on the way to alleviating symptoms and achieving full recovery.
Custom Splinting and Orthotic Devices
Additional orthotic devices can help to straighten and support damaged areas. These devices may need to be custom-built to fit the precise measurements of the patient.
Edema Management
Edema management, or the management of swelling, involves easing fluid build-up within soft tissues, restoring motion and reducing pain and discomfort.
Scar Management
Trauma may result in the formation of scar tissue, which can cause further aesthetic and functional issues later on. Scar management can help to break up this scar tissue, supporting the hand and arm during rehabilitation or ongoing management.
Pain Management
Pain and discomfort can make life miserable for patients, but the right course of pain management can bring this under control.
Functional and Occupational Therapy Interventions
Occupational therapy is designed to help patients with specific movements and tasks from their work or daily life. The aim is to return the patient's hand or arm to its normal function so they can resume regular tasks with ease and without discomfort.
The Benefits of Hand Therapy
Hand therapy is designed to provide a wealth of different benefits to patients, including:
- Restoring normal hand and arm function during rehabilitation
- Accelerating recovery following trauma
- Achieving better quality of life while dealing with chronic conditions
- Reducing pain and discomfort
- Easing swelling
- Managing the symptoms of specific conditions in the hand and arm
Hand Therapy at JAG PT
Here at JAG Physical Therapy, we provide certified hand therapy services to our patients, helping them to achieve the quality of life and rehabilitative results they seek. You'll find our CHTs at our Belleville, Jersey City, Warren, West Orange, Red Bank, and Wayne (Hamburg) locations in New Jersey and at our Atlantic Terminal, Hawthorne, Marine Park, Midwood (Ocean Avenue), and South Avenue locations in New York.
Want to learn more about what JAG PT's hand therapists can do for you? Take a look at our video to discover what our CHT services look like in action, or schedule an appointment today.
Learn More About Hand Therapy from JAG PT:
- Strengthening Your Hands After A Fracture: Tips and Exercises for a Quicker Recovery
- What Does a Hand Therapist Do?