Last week we shared about how occupational therapy is here for everyone. It can help anyone with limited strength and mobility maintain or develop or even recover the skills they need to carry out daily tasks.
The great thing about occupational therapy is that your Occupational Therapist (OT) will be able to personalise the approach toward your needs.
For those who may be living with a lack of grip or painful and swollen hands and joints, there is hand therapy. This is what we are here to talk about today: Hand Therapy.
What is Hand Therapy?
While there are many different types of physical therapy but when it comes to hand therapy, the focus is specifically from shoulder to hand and every joint and muscle in between.
It can fall under both occupational therapy and physiotherapy depending on your needs.
It’s a non-surgical form of therapy (which many will be happy to know) and the techniques used can vary. With occupational therapy, there is splinting, scar management, and the sharing of advice when it comes to using daily living products.
Whereas with physiotherapy, there is stretching, joint mobilizations, and active/resisted exercise.
How can Hand Therapy Help?
The sole focus of hand therapy is to help you return to or regain a productive lifestyle. Regular work with your therapist can mean you will increase your range of motion, function, dexterity, and strength.
It can help anyone living with:
- Arthritis
- Trigger finger
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Nerve Injuries
- Hand pain
- Amputations
- Sprains/dislocations/fractures
What can happen in Hand Therapy?
There are a number of different techniques your OT or physiotherapist will use to help you gain back strength and mobility in your hands. Perhaps you might recognise:
The Finger Stretch
The finger stretch is a good way to relieve pain. Tod it, you place your hand (palm side down) on the table and gentle straighten your fingers against the table as best you can (don’t overdo it and force your joints). This needs to be help for 30-60 seconds and do it 2-3 times per hand for relief.
The Claw Stretch
Just like it says, stretch your claws!
- Hold your hand out palm side down
- Bend your fingers so that the tip of your finger is touching the base of the finger- it will now look like you have a mini claw.
- Hold this for 30-60 seconds and repeating 3-4 times per hand
The claw stretch will help you improve the range of motion in your fingers.
Making a Fist
It might sound basic, but with with hand therapy you may be asked to make a fist over and over again. This is because it will help you strengthen both your hands and fingers. Making a fist will also increase your range of motion and ideally give you pain relief.
Grip Strengthening
This is where your therapist will make you hold a soft ball in the centre of your hand and get you to squeeze it as hard as you can . You will need to hold this for a minimum of 10 seconds and then release. By strengthening your grip, you will find it easier to hold items, turn twist on taps and open doors.
There are a number of other types of hand therapy out there and your OT or physiotherapist will know best how to help you. What we can help you with is getting daily living products you need over to you. Why not see what we can offer right here. Should you have any issues or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us here or email our team direct via customercare@uccellodesigns.com.
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