Wickes, MO Hand Therapy

Wickes, 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 coordination to make fine motor control possible to to button a shirt, hold a pen, or type an email. When you have a condition or injury that affects any part of your hand, wrist, forearm, or elbow, turn to the skilled care provided by a Wickes, 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 management, 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 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 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 utilize scientific evidence and work closely with the leading orthopedic and plastic hand surgeons in the Wickes, 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 complete advanced education and have clinical experience caring for 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 retain their certification.

Axes Physical Therapy employs a team of the Wickes, MO area’s top physical therapists and occupational therapists, including several accomplished Certified Hand Therapists. Our dedicated CHT’s work continuously to meet the rigorous demands required to maintain their certification and provide 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 Wickes, 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 reach your occupational needs. Our client-centered approach means that we prioritize your personal experience in your recovery. Your Wickes, 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 Wickes, 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

Wickes, 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 Wickes, 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 neurological conditions, and everyone in between all count on Wickes, 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.

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 Wickes, 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:

• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
• Running Injury
• MCL Tear
• ACL Rehabilitation
• Functional Capacity Evaluation
• Vertigo Treatment
• Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy
• Vestibular Therapy
• Concussion Treatment
• Soft Tissue Mobilization

Hand Therapy Treatment Near Wickes, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

You have a hand, wrist, arm, or shoulder injury or condition that makes it difficult to function in your daily life. 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 inherently, and recovery can be challenging. Put your recovery in the hands of the leading Wickes, 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 Wickes, MO area. Contact us or request an appointment online today.