Hands are among the most used parts of the body. They are constantly on the move, and even the slightest discomfort or pain in any area of the hand can disrupt our entire routine. That’s when physical therapist for hands come forward to handle all the problems involving hands and wrists.
What are the Certified Hand Therapists (CHT)?
These are professional occupational therapists trained to treat injuries or discomfort in the upper extremities. They provide certified hand therapy to patients suffering from tendon injuries, burns, fractures, nerve injury, swelling, or general hand pain. So, find a CHT today and get rid of any problem related to not only the hands but also the arm and shoulder.
Purpose of Hand Therapist Occupational Therapy
Human anatomy divides the upper extremities into three main parts: the upper arm, forearm, and hand. Muscles in every part of our body are different and serve different purposes, and that’s why physical therapy for elbow wrist & hand pain needs a different strategy than other body parts.
So, what does a hand therapist do?
- The job of a hand physical therapist is to deal with pulled muscles, torn tissues, and broken bone injuries, specifically those involving the bicep, shoulder, upper arm, elbow, forearm, wrist bones, hand, and fingers.
A Physical therapist for hands serves a greater purpose by treating athletes’ injuries, sports muscle damage, military recruits’ injuries, and general arm problems that disrupt hand movement and affect overall workability.
How Occupational Therapy For Hands Works?
Occupational therapy helps get our hands back to function with the help of different exercises and activities. OT is a non-hectic rehab care that promotes healthy day-to-day activity and it can also be used as one of the neuro balance exercises to help the patient get back on the functional track. There are a few techniques that help in occupational therapy in hand such as:
- Tightening the Screws: This is an important occupational therapy for hand that promotes movement in the joints of the finger and the wrist. It helps loosen the muscles and move them steadily.
- Picking Exercise: Different picking exercises, like picking little plastic balls with a spoon or pickers, promote the precise movement of all the muscles in your hand and arm.
- Hand Gripper: This hand therapy occupational therapy involves a metal gripper for hand that helps train the hand muscle and movement of bones. The patient is advised to move the gripper, using their strength constantly.
- Motor skills enhancing activities: In hand occupational therapy, the purpose is to enhance the motor skills of patients. That’s why it includes games and activities like putting the blocks together, making some legos, crossing the threads through narrow spaces, pulling rubber bands, squeezing the stress balls, etc.
The physical therapist will assist the patient through these exercises and closely observe the pain points and areas of improvement. Patients with accident records or serious fractures need OT when they want to do their daily tasks independently.
Which Patient is Probably Seeing an Occupational Therapist?
Hand therapists are usually consulted by patients struggling with injuries in their arms, elbows, wrists, or hands.
Athletes, weight lifters, body trainers, tennis players, pianists who suffer hand injuries most, or anyone who has sustained a hand, finger, or arm injury that makes it difficult to carry on their day-to-day activities will consult CHT therapy.
So, if you are experiencing pain, this is what you need to do. Write physical therapists near me in the search bar and find professional help.
What is the Difference Between PT/OT?
Physical Therapy(PT) is quite similar to occupational therapy (OT), but they have their differences that keep them apart. They are both rehabilitation care therapies that work on improving the worsening physical health.
Let’s take a look:
| Physical Therapy | Occupational Therapy |
| Focuses on improving mobility, agility, movement, and overall bodily function. | Focuses on improving gross and motor skills to carry on day-to-day activities. |
| Preferred for post-surgical rehab, chronic pain, nerve health, and severe issues. | Preferred for little fractures, pain in hands, pulled muscles, acute pain, or smaller issues that can improved faster. |
| PT Hand Therapy involves improving the overall arm and hand health to prevent long-term impacts. Like recovering a broken arm or fingers. | Hand Therapy OT involves engaging the hand in healthy movements to carry on daily activities and on-hand functions. |
Find a Certified Hand Therapist At Lake County
Whether you are looking for a physical therapy or occupational therapy hand specialist, our physical therapy team is here to help. Our physical therapist for hands is dedicated to providing you with our time and efforts to get you back on track with no physical health problems and improved well-being.
Erin has been with Lake County since 2016 and is a massage therapist from Soma school of Massage therapy graduating in 2007. She is also a PT tech who helps out primarily at the Mundelein clinic.
