Grasping a pen, buttoning a shirt, and preparing a meal are everyday tasks we often take for granted until an injury or illness prevents normal use of our hands.
The hand therapy team at Mary Free Bed helps patients of all ages who are experiencing functional limitations anywhere from the shoulder to the fingers, due to injury, overuse, or various diagnoses.
Understanding Hand Therapy
Hand therapy is essential for individuals who have sustained injuries or conditions affecting the bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves, arteries, veins, or skin of their arms. Our goal is to restore you to normal activities of daily living by addressing these issues through targeted therapy.
A hand therapy program can incorporate a variety of treatment methods to address issues such as:
- Pain
- Impaired function
- Decreased range of motion
- Weakness
- Scarring
- Edema
- Wounds
- Hypersensitivity
- Decreased sensation/neuropathy
- Muscle spasms
Who is at Risk?
Patients who might benefit from our hand therapy services often have diagnoses such as:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Cubital Tunnel
- De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
- Trigger Finger/Thumb
- Lateral and Medial Epicondylitis
- Osteoarthritis
- Tendon injuries
- Nerve injuries
- Elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand fractures
- Amputations
Importance of Treatment
Receiving hand therapy can be crucial if you’ve sustained an injury affecting any part of your arm. The Mary Free Bed team aims to help you regain normal function and independence, ensuring you can return to your daily activities with ease.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Our team of certified occupational therapists and experienced occupational therapy assistants will work closely with you, each other, and your physician to develop a goal-oriented treatment plan.
Risk Factors
Hand therapy may be needed for patients experiencing limitations due to:
- Injuries to bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles, or nerves
- Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel and De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
- Fractures and amputations affecting the upper extremities
Risk Factors You May Be Able to Change
- Overuse injuries due to repetitive motions
- Improper ergonomics during daily activities
- Lack of protective measures for joints and muscles
Protecting your Hand Health
Your hand therapy team may recommend and implement a variety of treatment options, including:
- Custom orthosis fabrication
- Manual therapy
- Therapeutic exercises and activities
- Activity modification
- Joint protection techniques
- Mobilization
- Body mechanics education
- Ergonomics advice
- Adaptive equipment use
- Electrical stimulation
- Hot and cold thermal therapies
- Ultrasound treatments
- Wound care
- Fluidotherapy
- Scar management
- Patient education
Contact us
616.840.8000
800.668.6001