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Physical Therapy for Hand & Wrist Pain

For conditions such as carpal tunnel, physical therapy for hand and wrist pain can be just as effective as surgery. Let us help you with a specialized treatment plan.

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Learn More About Hand & Wrist Pain

The wrist and hand are an integral part of functioning in everyday life. Hand and wrist pain can come from trauma, arthritis, or simply overuse. Individuals may be referred to physical therapy for conservative care of their symptoms or after surgery to correct a problem.

 

Common Causes of Wrist & Hand Pain

  • Sprains
  • Strains
  • Tendinitis
  • Wrist fractures
  • Chronic regional pain syndrome
  • Arthritis
  • Amputations
  • Traumatic injuries
  • Serious burns or wounds
  • Trigger fingers
  • Hand deformities
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

 

How We Treat Hand & Wrist Pain

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common diagnoses of the hand. Recent evidence has suggested that physical therapy is just as effective as surgery in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome when manual therapy is utilized. The use of manual therapy can improve hand and wrist function and improve pain and result in lasting outcomes making it an excellent first-line choice for treatment.

Physical therapy can be very beneficial in the treatment and management of other disorders causing hand and wrist pain. Treatment will be focused on restoring your range of motion, strength, sensation, and ability to complete functional activities.

A specially trained physical therapist or occupational therapist will complete a comprehensive evaluation aimed at determining the underlying cause of your pain and will create a customized program to address your needs in order to maximize function to your hands. The examination may include screening of the entire upper quarter including the shoulder and neck as dysfunction found in these areas can contribute to symptoms in the wrist and hand.

Services may include:

  • Range of motion
  • Flexibility
  • Strengthening
  • Desensitization
  • Manual therapy
  • Functional task adaptation
  • Splint fabrication
  • Taping or bracing
  • IASTM
  • Modalities (heat, cold, electrical stimulation, fluidotherapy, ultrasound, etc)

What is a Certified Hand Therapist?

CHTs, or Certified Hand Therapists, are physical or occupational therapists that have extensive and advanced training for the upper quarter including the wrist and hand and have received board certification. These individuals not only treat common wrist and hand diagnoses, but are able to treat advanced surgical repairs and complex diagnoses as well as create complex splints.

 

*Services are not available at all locations. Call or click the location page near you for that center’s services.

Active Release Techniques

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Hand Therapy

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Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

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Manual Therapy

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Orthopedics

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Physical Therapy

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What to Expect

Every patient has a unique health history, diagnosis and personal goals.  When you come for your first appointment, we will create a personalized treatment plan for you.

We work with most major insurance providers and do our best to help keep the paperwork pain-free.  If you’d like to confirm your insurance coverage, please let us know and we can verify when you schedule.  If your insurance provider requires a co-pay, we will ask for this payment at each visit.  We accept payments by cash, check or credit card.

When to arrive for physical therapy

When to Arrive

On average, a patient’s first visit lasts about an hour. We typically ask patients to arrive 15 minutes early to sign-in, complete paperwork and/or change clothes.

What to Bring for Physical Therapy

What to Bring

On your first visit, you’ll need to bring your physician referral or prescription (if needed), your insurance card, your primary registration forms, your ID or driver’s license and your co-payment (as applicable). If desired, you may bring a change of clothing.

How Physical Therapy Works

How it Works

During your first visit, your physical therapist will do an initial evaluation and discuss your plan of care.  The therapist uses this information to set goals for your continued treatment.  Physical therapy goals may include improved movement, strength, endurance and flexibility, as well as decreased pain.  Your subsequent visits will focus on treatment that is based on your diagnosis and individualized goals.

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