Hand Therapy and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation Go Hand in Hand

Hand therapy is one specialization of occupational therapy that was originally developed in response to advances in microscopic surgical techniques.

We work with patients whose upper extremity, anywhere from the shoulder to the fingertips, may have been affected by accident, trauma, illness or a condition. We are prepared to rehabilitate the individual from the resulting burns, wounds, scars, injured tendons or nerves, fractures, or amputation of any portion of the upper extremity.

Many of our patients include those who have become limited from the affects of disorders such as tennis or golfer elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome or cubital tunnel syndrome. We also treat those patients who have arthritic, neurological, or congenital conditions.

Our hand therapists combine their comprehensive knowledge of the upper extremity, clinical expertise, and specialized skills in assessment to prevent dysfunction, restore function or reverse the advancement of pathology within the upper extremity.

The end result of accurate assessments and individualized treatment made by our specialized hand therapists will in most cases decrease the overall treatment duration and facilitate the rehabilitation process.

Hand Therapy

At the foundation of hand therapy, an inclusive understanding of the following is fundamental:

1. Anatomy and physiology of the upper extremity and how it is adversely affected by pathological changes

2. The effects of immobilization/mobilization on healing tissue

3. Kinesiology as it relates to human motion and the forces affecting it

4. The effect of physical agent modalities, e.g. fluidotherapy, ultra-sound, on connective tissue, and the circulatory and nervous systems

5. The various surgical procedures of the upper extremity and the best post-operative treatment course to undertake