Webster Groves, MO Hand Therapy

Webster Groves, 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 work in coordination 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 the use of your hand, wrist, forearm, or elbow, you need the skilled care provided by a Webster Groves, 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, 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 specialized type 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.

Anatomy, physiology, and joint kinesiology principles are combined in hand therapy to understand and treat. 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 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 best orthopedic and plastic hand surgeons in the Webster Groves, 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 must go through advanced education and have clinical experience treating a vast 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. These professionals hold the title of a Certified Hand Therapist – 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 maintain their certification.

Axes Physical Therapy employs some of the most talented physical therapists and occupational therapists in the Webster Groves, 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 match each patient 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 Webster Groves, 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 Webster Groves, 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.

When you are trying to determine whether Webster Groves, MO hand therapy is for you, consider 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

Webster Groves, 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. Together with your CHT, you will focus on objecvtives like improving strength, reducing stiffness, managing pain, practicing movement, or preventing further medical complications like infection and improper healing.

Your Webster Groves, MO hand therapist will employ 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 with simple isolated fingertip injuries, complex chronic conditions, and everyone in between all count on Webster Groves, MO hand therapy to remaster the everyday motions and functions they need and want to do – 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.

There are a wide variety of treatment methods that may be employed in hand therapy treatment. In order to receive the best results, it’s important that you take an active role in your Webster Groves, 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:

• Soft Tissue Mobilization
• Post Surgical Rehabilitation
• Shin Splint Treatment
• Direct Access Physical Therapy
• Gait Analysis
• Pelvic Floor Therapy
• Dry Needling Near Me
• Tendonitis Treatment
• Manual Physical Therapy
• Orthopedic Rehab Near Me

Hand Therapy Treatment Near Webster Groves, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

You have an issue affecting your hand, wrist, arm, or shoulder that makes getting around day-to-day difficult on your own. Through our Certified Hand Therapists, Axes Physical Therapy’s hand 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 leading Webster Groves, 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 Webster Groves, MO area. Contact us or request an appointment online today.