What is hand therapy capable of healing and how?

Hand therapy is a sub-category of physical therapy. It is the art and science that aims to rehabilitate upper limb injuries. It can restore muscular problems related to hand, elbow, shoulder girdle and wrist. Under it, different practices of physical therapy theory are merged to provide relief to patients.

It is a non-surgical treatment method, which can heal various hand related disorders. It makes use of different techniques such as splinting, wound care, and exercises. Any disability that affects the functioning of hand can be cured with it.

This therapy brings together various other therapies like retraining, and scar management followed by educating the patient on regular activities. It also entails stretching, joint mobilization, ultrasound, and resistance exercises to restore the functioning of hands.

If you are suffering from pain in hands or loss of movement, you can choose this treatment. If you find difficulty in doing normal work using your hands, make sure to consult a doctor. Your physician will tell which rehab program is right for you.

To avail this treatment you can visit a good physical therapy center in Frederick MD. These centers specialize in various programs such as hand therapy, low back program, orthopedic rehabilitation, etc.

Given below are some points that are part of techniques used in hand therapy rehabilitation programs:

• Exercises meant to re-establish strength and range of motion
• Techniques to reduce pain, improve tissue extensibility, and subdue swelling
• Using finger splints to provide support to joints, allowing the muscles and tendon to heal faster
• Using methods aimed at mobilization of soft tissues and joint
• Educating patients about using protective measures
• Educating patient about ergonomics
• Providing training to maintain, restore and improve hand functions
• Injury prevention
• Scar remodeling
• Wound care

There are different ways in which hand injuries can be caused. This can include work and auto injuries, or simply due to overuse of muscles that cause dysfunction and acute pain. One may also sustain them during sports. Hand therapy can cure carpe tunnel, tennis wrist, amputations of hands, arms and finger, and even chronic problems like some neurological condition and arthritis.

After initial evaluation, therapists help patients in restoring their hand mobility through a personalized care plan. To do that, they use special machines and equipment, pain management techniques and coordinated exercises.

Highly Effective Physical Therapy Treatment Methods

When it comes to physical therapy (PT), treatment options are many. However, most common physical therapy treatments include manual therapy, electrical stimulation, hot and cold treatments, physical exercise, hydrotherapy, and deep heat. 

Not only are these treatments usable in general therapy, they can also be altered and modified for application in pediatrics, orthopedic, neurology, cardiology, and geriatrics.

Almost every type of treatment involves therapeutic and cardio exercises in order to strengthen patient’s mobility, balance, coordination, and flexibility. Therapists begin by assessing each patient’s body’s coordination and capability, to accordingly device a unique exercise regime, which fits them individually. 

Stretching, core stability exercises, lifting weights and water aerobics are a few exercises that are commonly included in physical therapy in Frederick, MD. It may also use certain machines like treadmills.

Therapists mostly encourage patients to improve the level of their daily physical activities by introducing simple changes in their routine and lifestyle, such as taking stairs instead of using an elevator.

Manual therapy is another method of curing physical disabilities. It is practiced with hands and not with any machine or device. The aim is to manage and decrease pain, relax the muscles, and improve blood circulation and flexibility. A fine example would be body massages.

Massage is technique in which pressure is applied on the affected body part, using hands. It aims to manipulate soft tissues to alleviate and ease down the pain, and improve blood circulation.

Mobilization is the treatment that makes the muscle movement better. It improves joints and ligaments by twisting, moving, pulling and pushing of bones into different positions. Mobilization is also similar to manipulation except for the fact that the latter one involves faster and more forceful movements to bring the joints and bones into right position.

Let us now move on to hot therapies. These therapies provide nutrition to the muscles, soft tissues and increase blood flow to heal them. In this course of treatment, therapists apply gel pads and heat packs on the affected area.

Cold compresses help alleviate muscle spasm. It also reduces pain and inflammation by slowing down blood circulation in the injured body part or areas suffering from diseases like arthritis. Ice packs are applied to alleviate swelling, especially on the first two days following an injury, followed by application of heat pads.