Physical therapy might be most commonly associated type of therapy for treating injuries to larger parts of the body, like the back, shoulder, and knees. However, physical therapy is equally effective at helping reduce pain in the body’s smaller parts, like the hands and wrists.
Because we rely on our hands for so many things, they can easily be injured as a result of trauma, overuse, or repetitive motion. And, because they contain so many nerve endings, an injury or degenerative condition in the hands like arthritis can be seriously debilitating for anyone experiencing it.
While a hand injury can negatively impact your overall quality life, the good news is that most injuries to the hand respond very well to physical therapy when it’s being performed by a physical therapist.
Depending on the exact cause of the injury, hand pain can develop slowly, as in cases due to wear and tear on the joints, or suddenly, as in cases of trauma or injury. Pain that is present in the hands or wrists can also present itself differently to different people, such as a piercing or stabbing pain, deep aches, or tingling and numbness.
Other common symptoms of hand injury and pain on the hands and wrist may include:
Hand pain can develop from a wide range of causes. Some of the more obvious causes may include broken fingers, fractured hand bones, and broken wrists, but there are also many other conditions that can cause chronic or acute pain in the hands. Among the more common conditions that can cause hand pain are:
Pain in the hands can respond positively to treatment from a physical therapist. Over time and with the right treatments, one can regain strength and dexterity in their hands and enjoy a life with far less pain.
For physical therapy to be successful, the physical therapist will first need to uncover the cause of your hand pain. This is accomplished by a thorough physical evaluation, review of your symptoms and medical history, and in some cases, imaging tests. Once the reason for your pain has been diagnosed, your physical therapist will create a comprehensive treatment plan that has been designed just for you. Usually, this plan will include multiple kinds of manual therapy and training exercises, along with special exercises for you to perform at home between visits. Keeping to this treatment plan is the key to working through the underlying symptoms of hand pain, and recovering of strength, range of motion, and flexibility as possible.
If hand pain is keeping you from enjoying the things you love to do, then it’s time you had your hands evaluated and treated by a physical therapist. Physical therapy will help reduce your pain and improve your hand strength. Call us today or click here to schedule an appointment.
.png)
.png)