Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHand Therapy for ArthritisWrist ExercisesGrip ExercisesFinger Exercises
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Hand Therapy for Arthritis
Wrist Exercises
Grip Exercises
Finger Exercises
Patients with different ailments and injuries can benefit from hand therapy. The rehabilitation process is effective for people who, for example, have arthritis,carpal tunnel syndrome, cerebralpalsy, fractures, and a priorstroke. Hand therapists often work with a surgical team and help the patient regain physical functioning after surgery.
How Does Hand Therapy Work?Hand therapy is a type of occupational therapy typically concerned with helping someone with orthopedic-based upper-extremity conditions to perform everyday tasks with their impairment or lessen the pain in their joints and muscles.Hand therapists develop a program that meets the needs of the client—what they want to be able to do in daily life—and emphasizes the performance of desired activities as the primary goal of therapy.Hand therapy can improve the life quality of people who have the following problems:Lacerations, amputations, or burnsTendonitisRheumatoid arthritisOsteoarthritisFracture or surgery on the arm, shoulder, or handNeurologic conditions, including stroke, that affect the use of the hand
How Does Hand Therapy Work?
Hand therapy is a type of occupational therapy typically concerned with helping someone with orthopedic-based upper-extremity conditions to perform everyday tasks with their impairment or lessen the pain in their joints and muscles.Hand therapists develop a program that meets the needs of the client—what they want to be able to do in daily life—and emphasizes the performance of desired activities as the primary goal of therapy.Hand therapy can improve the life quality of people who have the following problems:Lacerations, amputations, or burnsTendonitisRheumatoid arthritisOsteoarthritisFracture or surgery on the arm, shoulder, or handNeurologic conditions, including stroke, that affect the use of the hand
Hand therapy is a type of occupational therapy typically concerned with helping someone with orthopedic-based upper-extremity conditions to perform everyday tasks with their impairment or lessen the pain in their joints and muscles.Hand therapists develop a program that meets the needs of the client—what they want to be able to do in daily life—and emphasizes the performance of desired activities as the primary goal of therapy.
Hand therapy can improve the life quality of people who have the following problems:
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Arthritisis a group of conditions that cause inflammation in the joints. A person with these conditions feels pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. There are more than 100 types of arthritis, with the most common being osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.There is no cure for arthritis, but treatments can slow down the progression of the disease, relieve pain, and preserve mobility.
Hand therapy plays a crucial role in this process. It is vital to exercise the joints daily. Participating in joint-friendly physical activity can improve arthritis pain, function, mood, and quality of life.A hand therapist will offer the patient a personalized strategy. They will assess the condition of your joints, muscle strength, balance, and endurance to help you put together an exercise program for coping with your arthritis.
What Is a Certified Hand Therapist?A certified hand therapist (CHT) is an occupational therapist or physical therapist who focuses specifically of rehabilitation of the hands and upper extremities. To obtain the CHT credential, a hand therapist must practice for a minimum of three years, accumulating at least 4,000 hours of treatment for hand and upper extremity disorders.They also need to pass a certification exam and recertify every five years.
What Is a Certified Hand Therapist?
A certified hand therapist (CHT) is an occupational therapist or physical therapist who focuses specifically of rehabilitation of the hands and upper extremities. To obtain the CHT credential, a hand therapist must practice for a minimum of three years, accumulating at least 4,000 hours of treatment for hand and upper extremity disorders.They also need to pass a certification exam and recertify every five years.
These exercises help to improve flexibility, and it is possible to do them at any time. You can also use light weights to gain strength, but always check with your hand therapist before trying it.
It is also important to highlight that the exercises listed below should not replace a consultation with a hand therapist, who will choose the activities carefully based on your overall health and physical condition.
Hand therapy aims, among other things, to lessen the pain. It is expected that after the exercises, the area is sore for a while, but if it doesn’t go away or it becomes worse, the patient should contact the hand therapist.
Alphabet Writing
Wrist Extension and Flexion
Wrist Ulnar/Radial Deviation
Wrist Supination and Pronation
Wrist Flexor Stretch
7 Simple Wrist Strengthening Exercises
Some diseases, such as arthritis, can affect your grip strength. Simple daily exercises can help with movements and also re-establish the strength in your hands.
Grip Strengthening
Pinch Grip
Finger exercises are essential for improving strength and flexibility and relieving pain.
Hand/Finger Tendon Glide
Make An O
Claw Stretch
Thumb Flexion
A Word From Verywell
Arthritis can reduce the movement of your hand, arm, and shoulders. You can experience pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. Hand therapy can be a part of your arthritis management plan besides medical therapy. Exercising your joints can potentially help reduce pain and preserve range of motion in your hand. It is essential to schedule an occupational or physical therapist to get a personalized exercise program. It’s important to perform these exercises within your limits and avoid straining the joints in your hands further through physical activity.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand Therapy.American Occupational Therapy Association.The Unique Role of Occupational Therapy in Rehabilitation of the Hand.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Arthritis Types.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Physical Activity for Arthritis.Harvard Health Publishing.Relief for hand arthritis.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand Therapist: What Is A CHT, OT Or PT?Harvard Health Publish.5 exercises to improve hand mobility.Massachusetts General Hospital.Wrist and Elbow Strengthening and Stretching Exercises.Harvard Health Education.Workout for aching hands.Additional ReadingAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand Therapy.Harvard Health Publishing.Relief for hand arthritis.Harvard Health Publish.5 exercises to improve hand mobility.Massachusetts General Hospital.Wrist and Elbow Strengthening and Stretching Exercises.Harvard Health Education.Workout for aching hands.American Occupational Therapy Association.The Unique Role of Occupational Therapy in Rehabilitation of the Hand.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand Therapist: What Is A CHT, OT Or PT?
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand Therapy.American Occupational Therapy Association.The Unique Role of Occupational Therapy in Rehabilitation of the Hand.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Arthritis Types.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Physical Activity for Arthritis.Harvard Health Publishing.Relief for hand arthritis.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand Therapist: What Is A CHT, OT Or PT?Harvard Health Publish.5 exercises to improve hand mobility.Massachusetts General Hospital.Wrist and Elbow Strengthening and Stretching Exercises.Harvard Health Education.Workout for aching hands.Additional ReadingAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand Therapy.Harvard Health Publishing.Relief for hand arthritis.Harvard Health Publish.5 exercises to improve hand mobility.Massachusetts General Hospital.Wrist and Elbow Strengthening and Stretching Exercises.Harvard Health Education.Workout for aching hands.American Occupational Therapy Association.The Unique Role of Occupational Therapy in Rehabilitation of the Hand.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand Therapist: What Is A CHT, OT Or PT?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand Therapy.American Occupational Therapy Association.The Unique Role of Occupational Therapy in Rehabilitation of the Hand.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Arthritis Types.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Physical Activity for Arthritis.Harvard Health Publishing.Relief for hand arthritis.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand Therapist: What Is A CHT, OT Or PT?Harvard Health Publish.5 exercises to improve hand mobility.Massachusetts General Hospital.Wrist and Elbow Strengthening and Stretching Exercises.Harvard Health Education.Workout for aching hands.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand Therapy.
American Occupational Therapy Association.The Unique Role of Occupational Therapy in Rehabilitation of the Hand.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Arthritis Types.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Physical Activity for Arthritis.
Harvard Health Publishing.Relief for hand arthritis.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand Therapist: What Is A CHT, OT Or PT?
Harvard Health Publish.5 exercises to improve hand mobility.
Massachusetts General Hospital.Wrist and Elbow Strengthening and Stretching Exercises.
Harvard Health Education.Workout for aching hands.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand Therapy.Harvard Health Publishing.Relief for hand arthritis.Harvard Health Publish.5 exercises to improve hand mobility.Massachusetts General Hospital.Wrist and Elbow Strengthening and Stretching Exercises.Harvard Health Education.Workout for aching hands.American Occupational Therapy Association.The Unique Role of Occupational Therapy in Rehabilitation of the Hand.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand Therapist: What Is A CHT, OT Or PT?
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