Our bones and joints are likely to be
immobilized after undergoing surgery. It may be a major surgery or a minor
one. When it involves hands and feet which contain a large number of joints
and bones, one shoulder keeps itself immobilized until the healing process
completes. If any kind of pressure is put on the joints and bones, it will wake
the injury up to re-enter the body.
Even after the completion of the healing process, the patient should move slowly instead of jumping back into full active movements. Your body is still healing by recovering the strength to use muscles back at the same pace as before. The time between post-surgery and full recovery, physical therapy has a very essential role in your healthy recovery.
Physical therapy ensures successful and speedy recovery by using specialized and tailored plans for the patient. When you go for physical therapy, the professional physical therapist will ask you all the previous medical conditions you have survived and examine your surgery details to provide you with the best physical therapy course.
What Is Hand Therapy And How Does It Work?
Hand therapy resolves the issues of pain and other problems based on the upper extremities which create problems in performing everyday tasks. Arms, wrists, shoulders, elbows, and forearms are the main areas of underhand therapy. Also, hand joints and muscles are included. It is basically non-surgical therapy that aims to provide relief from the pain and helps in regaining the functioning of the problematic area.
Hand therapy can treat various critical
problems listed below and provide a pain-free and healthy life.
●
Arthritis
●
Burns
●
Osteoarthritis
●
Fractures and dislocations
●
Tendon tears and injuries
●
Lacerations
●
Nerve damage
●
Conditions of neurological disorders that affect hand like
stroke
●
Muscular strains
●
Ligament injuries
● Wounds
Who Performs Hand Therapy?
Hand therapy is performed by a hand therapist
who has an acute knowledge of working of hand muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments
and movements. Hand therapists are specially trained in kinesiology,
physiology, and anatomy. A certified hand therapist requires-
➢ At least five years of clinical experience
along with a minimum of 4000 hrs of experience
as a hand therapist.
➢ He/she must
be either occupational therapist or physical therapist.
➢ Must clear
certification exam which includes advanced clinical skills in upper limb
including elbow, shoulder, wrist, and hand
➢ Continuing education even after clearing the exam.
What Does Hand Therapy Involve?
Any kind of treatment will be provided on the deep emphasis and analysis of the problem. Therapeutic exercises will be implemented only on patient preferences and his response towards the treatment. If therapy produces positive responses from the patient, then the therapy would be implemented further for the patient's safe recovery. Therapies will be performed by merging knowledge of the core problem, evidence approach, some science of basic level, and fundamental knowledge to meet the desired goals safely. Some modifications might be needed in the therapy according to the patient's needs and safety.
What Is Meant By Basic Science And Fundamental Knowledge?
Some basic knowledge and understanding of
below given topics are necessary to implement any hand therapy so it doesn't
result in any negative impacts on the patients-
➔ Anatomy of
connective tissue
➔ Principles of
tissue
➔ Aging effects
of limb functions
➔ Pathology,
biomechanics, kinesiology related to upper limb
➔ Well known
understanding of heat, sound, light, water, and electricity as they will be used in
some specific therapies
➔ Ample knowledge about equipment and use of it
What Are Some Standard Therapies?
❖ Hot and cold
packs
❖ Range of
motion activities
❖ Movements of
joints
❖ Management of
pain
❖ Recovery from
chronic conditions
❖ Soft tissues
exercises
❖ Education
about Injury avoidance
❖ Stimulation by electricity
How Does Hand Therapy Benefit?
Our hands comprise very intricately
components. They need care and comfort
in general but if suffering from any chronic condition then it becomes very
necessary to handle it with great care and attention. Hand
therapy is a good approach for these problems. It offers effective
and numerous benefits.
Hand therapy works as a rehabilitation
tool. Patients need hand therapy after any traumatic/accidental injury or
undergoing surgery.
Chronic pain from arthritis can be
prevented by hand therapy. It works as a great preventative tool.
Hand therapists use a variety of fruitful
and advantageous techniques specially designed for the patient. These effective
techniques help in regaining range of motion, decrease stiffness in joints,
reduces swelling, give strength to the muscles, and protects against any further
complications due to ongoing problems.
Hand therapies are performed under the CHT [Certified Hand Therapist] to avoid any kind of blunder while performing given therapies. Some easy doable exercises or therapies are given by the hand therapist to the patient they can practice at home for their better and speedy recovery.
People recovering from some traumatic
condition, chronic pain, undergoing surgery, or any problem that affects hand’s
manipulation should immediately refer to the Certified Hand Therapist.
0 Comments