Shrewsbury, MO Hand Therapy

Shrewsbury, 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, a design of different types of joints, bones, and an intricate system of blood vessels, nerves, tendons, and muscles, which are all required to work in concert to make fine motor control possible to to button a shirt, hold a pen, or answer the phone. 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 Shrewsbury, MO hand therapist.

Skilled hand therapy can be the difference between a return to functional independence and a lifetime of pain and limitations. A well-designed hand therapy program will be individualized to your specific injury. Goals for recovery will include protection and possible splinting, pain management, graded movement restoration, strengthening, and improvement of fine motor skills along with other hand, wrist, arm, and shoulder functions. With the right program, you will once again be able 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 specialized type of occupational or physical therapy. Hand therapists address issues affecting the arms, elbows, forearms, hands, wrists, and fingers both acute and chronic. 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 apply their extensive knowledge and understanding of how the human hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, arm and shoulder work together so that their patients can 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 apply scientific evidence and work closely with the leading orthopedic and plastic hand surgeons in the Shrewsbury, 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 go through advanced education and have clinical experience caring for the wide variety of conditions affecting the upper extremity such as traumatic injuries, chronic disease, musculoskeletal injuries, neurological conditions, and deformities.

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 employs some of the most talented physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Shrewsbury, MO area, 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

When you come to Axes Physical Therapy for specialized treatment of your hand, wrist, or elbow in Shrewsbury, MO, you will receive 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 your experience and recovery matter most to us. Your Shrewsbury, MO hand therapy specialist will formulate an intricate treatment plan based on your history, medical and surgical procedures (if any), and your expressed priorities and desires.

If you aren’t sure yet if you’d like to try Shrewsbury, MO hand therapy, think about what this treatment option can do for you. Hand therapy offers:

• A treatment solution that doesn’t require 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

Shrewsbury, 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. Your personal treatment plan will be based on the cause and severity of your condition, the body parts that are affected, and your occupational and functional goals. Focus may be given to improving strength, reducing stiffness, managing pain, practicing movement, or preventing further medical complications like infection and improper healing.

Your Shrewsbury, MO hand therapist will make use of non-operative interventions, preventative care, and rehabilitation strategies to guide you back to the upper extremity function you find necessary in your daily life. Patients of all kinds, from those with simple isolated fingertip injuries, complex neurological conditions, and everyone in between all count on Shrewsbury, MO hand therapy to remaster the everyday motions and functions they need and want to do – such as unlocking and opening doors – as well as the occupational tasks specific to their unique lives – which could include work duties like typing and lifting and personal functions like holding a baby.

Hand therapy programs can include a host of different treatment methods. You see the most optimal results when you actively participate in your Shrewsbury, MO hand therapy. Your hand therapist will work closely with you and 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:

• Workers Comp' Physical Therapy
• Sprain and Strain Treatment
• Geriatric Physical Therapy
• Injury Rehabilitation
• Pain Management Services
• TMJ Treatment
• Herniated Disc Treatment
• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
• Running Injury

Hand Therapy Treatment Near Shrewsbury, 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 often complex, and recovery can be challenging. Put your recovery in the hands of the top Shrewsbury, 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 Shrewsbury, MO area. Contact us or request an appointment online today.