Physical Therapy For Wrist and Hand Pain
Hand and wrist pain can make even the simplest tasks challenging, such as driving your car, using your phone, cooking dinner or doing housework.
If you are suffering from hand or wrist pain, a physical therapist can help determine the source and create an individualized treatment plan to alleviate symptoms and get you back doing activities that matter most to you. The sooner you begin treatment, the faster you’ll experience relief from discomfort and improve your quality of life.
Your therapist will assess your symptoms and medical history to pinpoint the underlying cause of your discomfort, which could be from several sources. After conducting a comprehensive exam and performing range-of-motion exercises, they can pinpoint exactly where the issue lies and suggest an effective treatment plan.
Imaging tests such as MRI or CAT scans may be necessary to help the physical therapist pinpoint the location and intensity of your pain. Your therapist then has the capability to craft a tailored treatment plan tailored to meet individual needs and objectives.
Your therapist will tailor an exercise program to address the area, severity and cause of your discomfort. These may include stretches and strengthening exercises.
If your discomfort is due to a lack of flexibility in your wrist and hand, physical therapy can show you some stretches that will strengthen these muscles. These may include flexion (bending) and extension (extending), which involve gently stretching the fingers and wrist while maintaining proper positioning of the hand and wrist.
Stretching multiple times a day is recommended to improve flexibility and reduce the likelihood of future pain. If you experience any discomfort while performing these stretches, stop immediately and speak with your therapist.
Your therapist can also teach proper wrist mechanics to avoid re-injury, such as keeping the wrist in a neutral position while lifting heavy items or performing activities that require excessive force. Doing this protects your tendons and cartilage in the long run, helping protect against injury in the future.
As your arm and hand symptoms improve, your physical therapist will teach you how to perform tasks safely and correctly. Many people with wrist and hand pain only experience their symptoms due to incorrect techniques used during exercises; thus it’s essential that a physiotherapy guide you through these exercises and ensure they are done correctly.
If you are dealing with a hand or wrist injury, physical therapy can offer assistance by providing splinting and bracing to reduce stress on the affected area and speed up healing time. They will also craft an individualized fitness program to increase strength and endurance in those areas.
Physical therapy is an effective treatment option for many hand and wrist injuries. It can reduce pain, increase mobility and restore strength to your wrists and hands, enabling you to return to regular activities without the need for medication or surgery.