Hand Therapy

Hand therapy, also known as hand rehabilitation or physiotherapy, is a specialized type of physical therapy that helps people recover from injuries and ailments of the hands, wrists and forearms. It can be used to treat everything from carpal tunnel syndrome to arthritis, from tendonitis to repetitive strain injuries like tennis elbow and writer’s cramp. Hand therapy sessions are done either one-on-one with a physical therapist or with a group of patients under the guidance of a physical therapist.

When you need help with healing your hands after an injury or surgery, or if you have chronic pain from arthritis or repetitive strain injuries (RSIs), seeing a hand therapist can help dramatically with recovery times.

If you visit your general practitioner for a hand injury, he or she will likely refer you to see a physician who specializes in hands and arms—known as a hand surgeon. Your hand surgeon will diagnose your problem based on tests like X-rays, MRI scans and blood work before prescribing any treatments. These treatments could include physical therapy — which includes exercises and massage intended to aid in rehabilitation — drug therapies like corticosteroids or even surgery. However, in most cases, physical therapists recommend starting with simple exercises prior to having any operations performed. Physical therapists are highly trained professionals who help guide patients through both traditional techniques such as ultrasound treatments as well as more modern methods like electrical stimulation.

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