We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Can I Expect from Hand Physiotherapy?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 4,900
Share

Hand physiotherapy can help patients rebuild functionality after an injury, address chronic hand problems, or prevent future injuries. It can include sessions in a physiotherapy clinic as well as work to do at home and requires a high level of patient participation. Physiotherapists can integrate a variety of approaches into their work, including massage, specific stretching exercises, and patient education. The length of time spent in therapy depends on the nature of the injury and how well the patient responds to care.

At an initial assessment, the physiotherapist will interview the patient, look over medical records, and conduct an examination of the hand and forearm. A large number of bones articulate in the hand and wrist, controlled by muscles and ligaments extending up into the arm. Hand physiotherapy involves locating specific problems and addressing them through stretching, splinting, and strength-building exercises. Patients can also discuss their goals; they may want to return to normal physical activity, could need help protecting their hands at work, or might need assistance with developing fine motor skills to retain independence.

During hand physiotherapy sessions, the practitioner may massage the hand, stretch it, and have the patient perform exercises. Some of these involve the use of props and tools like balls for the patient to squeeze for resistance work. The forearm is also a target, as tension, soreness, and injuries can be located in this region as well. Homework may include gentle stretching and ergonomic exercises.

If necessary, hand physiotherapy may include splinting and bracing to support the hand. This can reduce the risk of additional injury and protect the patient’s hands outside of physical therapy sessions. Wound and scar care is also integrated. Scarring in the hand and forearm can limit range of motion, making it critical to receive care after an injury to prevent future mobility problems. Patients may also receive anatomy education to help them understand how the hand works and why various exercises are so important.

As patients progress, the number of office visits may decline. Individual follow-up appointments provide an opportunity to determine if the patient is recovering or relapsing. This can be a particular concern in hand physiotherapy for repetitive stress injuries, like carpal tunnel syndrome associated with office work. If the patient isn’t using proper care at work, or begins slacking on exercises, the problem may recur, and could become worse due to the preexisting damage from inflammation and irritation.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-can-i-expect-from-hand-physiotherapy.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.