Washington, MO Hand Therapy

Washington, 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, which are all required to move in concert to allow the fine motor control needed to button a shirt, hold a pen, or type an email. When your medical condition or injury affects any part of your hand, wrist, forearm, or elbow, you need the skilled care provided by a Washington, MO hand therapist.

Skilled hand therapy can be the difference between a return to functional independence and a lifetime of pain and limitations. Your specific injury will determine the design of your personal hand therapy program, with the objectives of 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 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 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.

Anatomy, physiology, and joint kinesiology principles are combined in hand therapy to understand and treat. 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 utilize scientific evidence and work closely with the best orthopedic and plastic hand surgeons in the Washington, 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 caring for the wide scope of conditions affecting the upper extremity such as traumatic injuries, chronic disease, musculoskeletal injuries, neurological conditions, and deformities.

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. There is a rigorous qualification process that one must complete in order to qualify as a CHT. 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 retain their certification.

Axes Physical Therapy is staffed by some of the most talented physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Washington, 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 each of their patients. We ensure that each patient is paired with the individual 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 Washington, 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, 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 your experience and recovery matter most to us. Your Washington, 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 Washington, MO hand therapy, think about the benefits of this treatment option. 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

Washington, 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 Washington, 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 simple isolated fingertip injuries, complex chronic conditions, and everyone in between all count on Washington, 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 – such as performing 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 take an active role in your Washington, 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:

• Manual Physical Therapy
• Orthopedic Rehab Near Me
• Beginner Running Program
• Chronic Pain Treatment
• Spine Specialist Near Me
• MCL Injury
• Shoulder Pain
• Injury Prevention
• Mobility
• Knee Injury

Hand Therapy Treatment Near Washington, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

You have a hand, wrist, arm, or shoulder injury or condition that makes getting around day-to-day difficult on your own. Hand therapy from a Certified Hand Therapist at Axes Physical Therapy gives you access to 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 Washington, 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 Washington, MO area. Contact us or request an appointment online today.