Augusta, MO Hand Therapy

Augusta, MO Hand Therapy. As humans we rely heavily on the use of our hands and arms to accomplish many of the tasks we encounter in our daily lives. Our hands are exceptionally complex, made up of different types of joints, bones, and an intricate system of blood vessels, nerves, tendons, and muscles, all of which must move in coordination to allow the fine motor control needed to button a shirt, hold a coffee cup, or type an email. When you have a condition or injury that affects the use of your hand, wrist, forearm, or elbow, turn to the skilled care provided by a Augusta, MO hand therapist.

Skilled hand therapy can be the difference between a successful recovery and return to normal activities versus suffering from lasting complications, pain, and limitations. Your specific injury will determine the design of your personal hand therapy program. Goals for recovery will include protection and possible splinting, pain reduction, graded movement restoration, strengthening, and improvement of fine motor skills along with other hand, wrist, arm, and shoulder functions, making it possible for you to live, work, and play without pain.Axes Physical Therapy delivers quality hand therapy near you. Contact us today to learn more about our hand therapy program or to schedule your first appointment.

What is Hand Therapy?

Hand therapy is a medical sub-specialty under the general field of occupational or physical therapy. Hand therapists address acute and chronic conditions of the fingers, hands, wrists, arms, and elbows. Hand therapy is used to improve your upper extremity comfort and function where needed.

In hand therapy, the complex principles of anatomy, physiology, and joint kinesiology converge as they relate to upper extremity function. Experienced hand therapists have a deep wealth of knowledge regarding the way the human hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, and shoulder are built and work together. This knowledge is put to use to help their patients perform activities of daily living, go to work, or play sports. Hand therapists undergo continuous education on clinically researched best practices and medically proven approaches to managing upper extremity injuries. They utilize scientific evidence and work closely with the leading orthopedic and plastic hand surgeons in the Augusta, MO. The exact treatment is always dependent upon the patient, their condition, and their goals.

Hand Therapists

A physical therapist or occupational therapist who has specifically trained in treating the hand, wrist, arm, elbow, and shoulder is a hand therapist. They are required to complete advanced education and have clinical experience treating the vast variety of conditions including traumas, chronic diseases, muscoskeletal injuries, neurological conditions, and deformities that affect the upper extremity.

Some physical and occupational therapists pursue and obtain advanced certification in hand therapy practices. These professionals hold the title of a Certified Hand Therapist – also known as a CHT. The CHT certification process is rigorous. That process includes three years of professional practice including 4,000 hours of upper extremity treatment and an intensive certification exam. In addition, hand therapists must qualify again every five years to maintain their certification.

Axes Physical Therapy is staffed by a team of the Augusta, MO area’s top physical therapists and occupational therapists, many of whom are accomplished Certified Hand Therapists. Our dedicated CHT’s work continuously to meet the rigorous demands required to maintain their certification and bring the best hand therapy to all of Axes’ patients. We match each patient with the therapist who is best equipped to meet his or her hand therapy needs.

Hand Therapy Applications

Hand therapy treats upper extremity complains such as:

• Chronic conditions (i.e. osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)
• Acute and chronic pain
• Swelling
• Joint injuries
• Fractures
• strains and sprains
• Joint dislocation
• Burns
• Tendon lacerations
• Post-surgical management and rehabilitation
• Tendonitis and tendonosis
• Compression syndromes (i.e. carpal tunnel)
• Nerve and neurological conditions
• Infections
• Amputations and limb and digit reattachments

Axes Physical Therapy Augusta, MO treatment for your hand, wrist, or elbow complaint will be delivered with the expert care of a Certified Hand Therapist. In addition to the highly technical evaluation and treatment of your upper extremity injury, you will also benefit from the comprehensive approach all our patients receive. We treat each patient entirely – from the source of your discomfort to the activities your condition has affected – with a focus on helping you return to the activities you love the most. Our client-centered approach means that we prioritize your personal experience in your recovery. Your Augusta, MO hand therapy specialist will formulate an intricate treatment plan based on your history, medical and surgical procedures (if any), and your goals for recovery.

When you are trying to determine whether Augusta, MO hand therapy is for you, consider what this treatment option can do for you. Hand therapy offers:

• Treatment without surgery
• Improved upper extremity function
• Management of acute and chronic pain
• Reduced sensitivity to nerve-related problems
• Recovery from tendon and nerve injuries
• Improved movement and strength
• Reduced stiffness
• New, modified ways to execute everyday activities
• Preparation to return to work

Augusta, MO Hand Therapy Treatment

Hand therapy treatment is unique to each injury and patient. Your hand therapy treatment team will combine their knowledge of upper extremity structure and function with their in-depth understanding of your personal goals and priorities to provide you with the best therapy. Depending on the nature of your injury or condition, the affected areas, and what kind of activities you wish to return to, your hand therapist will conceive of a treatment plan that works for you. Focus may be given to improving strength, reducing stiffness, managing pain, practicing movement, or preventing further medical complications like infection and improper healing.

Your Augusta, MO hand therapist will enlist non-operative interventions, preventative care, and rehabilitation strategies to guide you back to the upper extremity function that is important in your daily life. Patients of all kinds, from those with minor isolated fingertip injuries, complex chronic conditions, and everyone in between all count on Augusta, MO hand therapy to get back to the everyday tasks life demands – such as unlocking and opening doors – on top of the occupational tasks specific to their unique lives – which could include work duties like typing and lifting and personal functions like holding a baby.

There are a wide variety of treatment methods that may be employed in hand therapy treatment. You see the most optimal results when you take an active role in your Augusta, MO hand therapy. Your hand therapist will carefuly discuss with you and consult with your medical providers to evaluate which treatments make the most sense and best meet your needs.

Hand therapy may include:

• Home exercises
• Education
• Functional activities
• Exercise
• Manual interventions
• Relearning muscle or neural movements
• Work simulations
• Laceration care
• Dexterity training
• Custom splinting
• Wound and scar care

Other care and treatment provided by Axes Physical Therapy are things such as:

• Pain Management Services
• TMJ Treatment
• Herniated Disc Treatment
• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
• Running Injury
• MCL Tear
• ACL Rehabilitation
• Functional Capacity Evaluation
• Vertigo Treatment
• Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy

Hand Therapy Treatment Near Augusta, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

You have an issue affecting your hand, wrist, arm, or shoulder that makes it difficult to function in your daily life. Hand therapy from a Certified Hand Therapist at Axes Physical Therapy provides the expert care and treatment that will restore the movement, flexibility, and strength necessary to accomplish the tasks you come across every day.

Finger, hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, arm, and shoulder conditions and injuries are inherently, and recovery can be challenging. Put your recovery in the hands of the leading Augusta, MO hand therapists by scheduling an appointment with Axes Physical Therapy today. Our several locations that offer hand therapy are locally owned and operated, with this one conveniently located in the Augusta, MO area. Contact us or request an appointment online today.