Interested in certified hand therapy? Twin Boro Physical Therapy in Toms River provides Bayville, New Jersey residents with access to state-of-the-art treatment techniques and evidence-based methods in certified hand therapy.
Twin Boro Physical Therapy has been providing New Jersey residents with convenient access to experienced physical therapists, occupational therapists, and certified hand therapists since 1980. Twin Boro offers certified hand therapy to patients at 10 of our 27 locations, and we recommend all patients experiencing conditions of the hand seek this specialized treatment for the best long-term outcomes and results.
Heat and Cold Hand Treatment
Applying heat treatments and cold treatments have been a standard way of treating new and old injuries for years. When applied to the hands, wrists, and fingers, heat and cold are used to reduce swelling stiffness, irritation, and pain associated with recent and chronic injuries.
Heat and cold treatments each have their own benefits and ways in which they are best used to promote long-term results.
Benefits of a Heat Treatment
Heat is best used to help alleviate stiffness in joints and soft tissues. This is often most applicable to chronic or old injuries. Heat speeds up the molecules in our soft tissues and increases blood flow to the area, increasing the elasticity of the tissues in the area. This principle is the same reason you might jog or warm up before participating in a sporting game.
While heat treatment can be applied in many ways, a warm shower or bath is often a great way to relieve stiffness while relaxing. For a more localized approach, heat pads can be used to apply directly to the area. However, it is important to monitor the temperature of your heating pad to avoid burns or overheating.
Benefits of a Cold Treatment
Cold treatments are best used to alleviate pain, swelling, and irritation. This is often the case with recent or acute injuries. The cold in cold treatments slows down the molecules in the soft tissues and decreases blood flow to the area.
Cold showers or ice baths are often used for total body cooling, but ice packs can be used for localized application. However, it is important to never apply ice directly to the area to avoid burns and only apply the ice for 15-20 minute stretches before taking at least a 15 minutes rest in between. If you can, it is best to wrap the ice or ice pack in a thin cloth such as a dish towel. If you feel extreme pain or numbness, stop icing for at least 15-30 minutes.
Too much icing can stiffen the joints, so use moderation when applying ice to the area.
Combined Treatment
While many heat and cold treatments can be conducted at home, some advanced heat and cold treatments are specifically conducted under the guidance of a certified hand therapist. These include:
- Therapeutic ultrasounds to provide heat into deeper tissues
- Contrast baths to alternate heat and cold
- Paraffin waxes or warm waxes to apply regulated heat to the area
As with any treatment, monitoring the area for any pain or irregular symptoms is important to ensure the safe application of heat and cold. When in doubt, stopping treatment and contacting your certified hand therapist are recommended.
Let’s Begin!
Ready to make your first certified hand therapy appointment? Residents of Bayville, NJ, should visit our Twin Boro Physical Therapy Toms River location for convenient access to high-quality care. To contact us, call 732-554-0622 or visit our website.
