Sunset Hills, MO Hand Therapy

Sunset Hills, MO Hand Therapy. As humans the tasks and actions we come across in daily life require heavy use of our hands and arms. This part of our body is 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 work in concert to allow the fine motor control needed to button a shirt, hold a coffee cup, or answer the phone. When your medical condition or injury affects any part of your hand, wrist, forearm, or elbow, turn to the skilled care provided by a Sunset Hills, 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. A well-designed hand therapy program will be individualized to your specific injury. 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. 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 get more information 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 treat issues affecting the arms, elbows, forearms, hands, wrists, and fingers both acute and chronic. The purpose of hand therapy is to improve upper extremity function as it relates to the nature of your condition.

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 stay up to date on clinically researched best practices and medically proven approaches to managing upper extremity injuries. They apply scientific evidence and collaborate with the leading orthopedic and plastic hand surgeons in the Sunset Hills, 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 treating a wide scope of conditions including traumas, chronic diseases, muscoskeletal injuries, neurological conditions, and deformities that affect the upper extremity.

Physical and occupational therapists must complete an exacting certification process to obtain a special hand therapy license. Those who meet critera are licensed as Certified Hand Therapists – 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 requalify every five years to maintain their certification.

Axes Physical Therapy is staffed by some of the most talented physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Sunset Hills, MO area, including several 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 Sunset Hills, 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, every Axes patient is treated with a comprehensive and personalized approach. 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 Sunset Hills, 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 Sunset Hills, MO hand therapy, consider 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

Sunset Hills, 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 Sunset Hills, 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 Sunset Hills, MO hand therapy to get back to the everyday tasks life demands – such as unlocking and opening doors – on top of the special 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 Sunset Hills, MO hand therapy. Your hand therapist will work closely with you and your medical providers to determine 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:

• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
• Workers Comp' Physical Therapy
• Migraine Relief
• Sprain and Strain Treatment
• Geriatric Physical Therapy
• Injury Rehabilitation
• Pain Management Services
• TMJ Treatment
• Herniated Disc Treatment

Hand Therapy Treatment Near Sunset Hills, 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. Through our Certified Hand Therapists, Axes Physical Therapy’s hand 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 if often a challenge. Put your recovery in the hands of the top Sunset Hills, 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 Sunset Hills, MO area. Contact us or request an appointment online today.