Hand Therapy provides relief for people suffering from injuries or illness that affects the hand, wrist, and upper extremity of the human body. These conditions can be painful and restrict the fine motor skills needed to perform daily tasks. At Twin Boro Physical Therapy, we have an established reputation for providing advanced, evidence-based care that meets the needs of each individual patient.
The experienced hand therapists at Twin Boro Physical Therapy are dedicated to providing patients with coordinated, comprehensive orthopedic care to help individuals regain any lost independence while achieving the highest possible functional level.
What Is Hand Therapy?
Hand therapy is a component of physical and occupational therapy, designed to address injuries and conditions of the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder.
Hand Therapists are occupational therapists or physical therapists who, through advanced study and experience, specialize in treating individuals with conditions affecting the hands and upper extremity. A hand specialist has advanced certification as a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT). A qualified hand therapist is educated and trained to administer interventions to the upper extremities. As stated in The Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, interventions are the skilled and purposeful use of therapy methods and techniques to produce changes consistent with the diagnosis, prognosis, and goal of the patient or client.
For NJ patients in need of hand therapy, Twin Boro Physical Therapy has the experience and expertise necessary to address the various conditions that may cause problems such as:
- Repetitive Stress such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Tendinitis
- Traumatic Injuries
- Arthritis and Related Disorders
- Orthopedic Conditions such as Wrist Fractures
- Neurological Injuries occurring to Peripheral Nerves
- and more.
Symptoms
The hand and wrist are anatomically complex with 27 bones, 14 joints in the fingers alone, and a variety of joints where the palm meets the wrist, and the wrist meets the forearm. The hand contains muscles that allow us to bend and straighten the fingers, and also ligaments and tendons that provide the stability and mobility that make the hand so dexterous.
This complexity requires special attention be paid to the hand when administering physical or occupational treatment treatment. Physical therapists and occupational therapists who are certified hand therapists have the necessary training and expertise to treat patients with hand or other upper extremity injuries.
There are numerous different conditions that can affect the hand and wrist, making the use of this extremity difficult. Some common symptoms that may indicate a problem with the hand include:
- Pain or aching in the hand
- Tingling and numbness in the hand or fingers
- Loss of range of motion or dexterity
- Swelling around any of the joints in the hand and wrist
- Increased size or visible deformity of a joint
- Difficulty performing everyday activities
- Stiffness
- Weakness
How Can Hand Therapy Help?
Physical therapy is a key component in injury prevention and rehabilitation. Through an individualized approach, our therapists utilize exercises, manual therapies, and specialized equipment to help patients regain or improve mobility, strength, and function. Through proven therapy techniques and tailored treatment plans, the skilled experts at Twin Boro can help reduce the severity of the impairments to reduce related limitations to allow patients to once again live active, pain free, lives.
It’s important to note that optimal recovery starts with early intervention and treatment. It’s important to begin therapy as soon as a physician refers you for treatment from a CHT. The earlier you are able to begin treatment, the greater the chance for return to normalcy.
At Twin Boro, we treat sports and work-related conditions including traumatic injuries, and more.
Treatments for Hand and Wrist Pain in New Jersey
Each hand therapy episode of care requires specialized skills and personalized treatment plans. Through advanced training, our CHTs will determine the most appropriate treatment plan to enhance recovery. A typical treatment from our CHT will begin with a thorough evaluation of your condition.
Each patient’s treatment plan is customized based on the specific injury as well as the individual’s unique functional goals such as returning to work, sport, or hobby/recreation. For example, individualized techniques may include soft-tissue mobilization to help reduce swelling, alleviate muscle tightness, and break up scar tissue; manual stretching of muscles and mobilization of tight joints; scar management and desensitization techniques.
Additional modalities include heat, ice, paraffin, ultrasound, tape, electrical stimulation, etc.
- Manual Therapy Technique (MTT): hands on care including soft tissue massage, and joint mobilization by a hand therapist to regain mobility and range of motion of the wrist and hand.
- Splinting: Fabrication of custom-made splint or fitting of prefabricated splint by hand therapist to limit motion of wrist to decrease pressure and inflammation.
- Therapeutic Exercises (TE) including nerve stretching and tendon gliding exercises to regain range of motion of the hand and effected muscle.
- Neuromuscular Reeducation (NMR) to restore stability, retrain the upper extremity, improve movement technique and mechanics (for example, typing, hand fine motor activities, lifting activities), improve sensation in daily use of the involved upper extremity.
- Modalities that can include the use of ultrasound, electrical stimulation, ice, cold laser and others to decrease pain and inflammation at the hand and wrist.
- Home program that includes strengthening, stretching and stabilization exercises and instructions to help the person perform daily tasks and advance to the next functional level.
Schedule Your Appointment
The CHTs at Twin Boro treat a number of diagnoses and conditions that affect the hands and upper extremities. Whether you have been diagnosed with nerve compression, arthritis, or you are looking for post-surgical physical therapy from a recent fracture or laceration repair, our skilled CHTs provide only the highest level of one-on-one care to help you achieve successful results.
Locations that offer Certified Hand Therapy:
- Bridgewater Tel: 732.427.8171|Location Information
- Edison Tel: 732.321.1855|Location Information
- Egg Harbor Tel: 609.377.8881|Location Information
- Jersey City Tel: 201.792.3840|Location Information
- Newark Tel: 973.732.3850|Location Information
- Red Bank Tel: 732.224.9355|Location Information
- Sayreville/Parlin Tel: 732.238.8484|Location Information
- Toms River Tel: 732.255.7888|Location Information
- Westfield Tel: 908.233.1222|Location Information