Whether you have osteoarthritis (wear and tear on the joints) or an autoimmune inflammatory like rheumatoid arthritis, dealing with stiff hands can be one of the most unpleasant aspects of treating arthritis on a daily basis.

Your hands, which are made up of many small bone connections, are especially prone to discomfort and swelling, despite the fact that you use them more than any other part of your body to accomplish everyday activities. 

Physical therapy that includes hand exercises can help reduce pain and swelling.

If you are struggling with pain from arthritis in your hands, and you are located in NW Phoenix, contact Desert Edge PT today!

Hand therapy is a type of rehabilitation done by a specialist occupational or physical therapist to help patients with diseases that impair their hands and upper extremities regain optimal function. It concentrates on the region between the shoulder and the hand, as well as the joints and muscles that make up that area. Hand therapy aids in the relief of pain and the continuation of everyday tasks. 

Hand therapy can help patients with a variety of illnesses and injuries. People with arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, cerebral palsy, fractures, and a previous stroke benefit from the rehabilitation process. Hand therapists frequently collaborate with surgical teams to assist patients in regaining control of their hands.

What Is Hand Therapy and How Does It Work?

Hand therapy is a sort of occupational therapy that focuses on assisting people with orthopedic-based upper-extremity problems in performing daily chores while also reducing discomfort in their joints and muscles. 

Hand therapists design a program that fits the client’s needs—what they want to be able to accomplish in everyday life—and prioritizes the client’s ability to execute desired activities as the primary aim of therapy.

Arthritis Hand Treatment

Arthritis is a term that refers to a set of diseases that cause inflammation in the joints. Pain, edema, stiffness, and a restricted range of motion are all symptoms of these diseases. There are about 100 different kinds of arthritis, with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis being the most prevalent. Although there is no cure for arthritis, therapies can help to reduce the disease’s development, relieve pain, and maintain mobility. Hand therapy is crucial for those struggling with arthritis and it is essential to exercise your joints on a regular basis. Your overall quality of life can be improved through physical therapy that is designed specifically for those who suffer from arthritis pain. A physical therapist can create a treatment plan that is unique to the patient, examining joint condition, muscular strength, balance, and endurance in order to create a PT program to help cope with the pain. 

What Does It Mean to Be a Certified Hand Therapist?

A certified hand therapist (CHT) is an occupational therapist or physical therapist who specializes in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation. A hand therapist must practice for at least three years and 4,000 hours of therapy for hand and upper extremity problems to get the CHT certification. They must also complete a certification exam every five years and recertify.

Hand therapy can help people with the following issues enhance their quality of life and improve mobility while reducing pain: 

• Lacerations, amputations, and burn victims
• Tendonitis 
• Rheumatoid arthritis is a kind of arthritis that affects the joints 
• Osteoarthritis 
• Fracture of the arm, shoulder, or hand, or surgery on the arm, shoulder, or hand 
• Stroke

Once you have met with a professional in the field, this type of therapy and exercise can help you to increase your flexibility and can be done at any time. Lightweights can also be used to build strength, but consult with your physical therapist first to make sure it is safe. The exercises listed below should not be used in place of consulting with a physical therapist. Scheduling a consultation with a PT in your area is always the best choice, as they will create a special program for your specific needs. 

The hand exercises below attempt to relieve discomfort and improve quality of life. Your hand and arm may feel slightly uncomfortable for a few days following these exercises, but if the pain doesn’t go away or becomes worse, the patient should consult with their physical therapist.

Wrist

Number Writing

• Hold the forearm with the opposing hand while writing the numbers 1-20 in the air. 
• Make the numbers smaller and the movements more precise when it becomes too easy. 
• People who want further assistance can rest their elbows on a table. 

Wrist Flexion and Extension 

• Place your wrist on a folded towel on a table (this will elevate the wrist slightly and provide comfort), and your hand on the table’s edge. 
• Begin by moving your hand up and down at the wrist with your palm facing down. 
• Repeat this action but with your palm facing up. 

Ulnar/Radial Deviation of the Wrist 

• With your thumb pointing upward, support your forearm on a table with a rolled-up towel for cushioning on your knee. 
• Move the wrist through its whole range of motion.

Supination and Pronation of the Wrist 

• With your arm at your side and your elbow bent to 90 degrees, palm facing down, stand or sit. 
• Rotate your forearm so that the palm of your hand is facing up, then down. 

Stretching the Wrist Flexors 

• Keep your arm outstretched and the palm of your hand facing down. 
• Hold the fingers of the opposite hand and stretch the wrist backward until you feel a strain on the inside of the forearm. (Rep the motions 10 times before switching arms and repeating the workout.)

Grip

Grip strength can be affected by some illnesses, such as arthritis. Simple daily workouts can help improve your grip strength. 

Strengthening Your Grip 

• For a few seconds, squeeze a grip-strengthening ball as tightly as you can. 
• In each hand, repeat the moves 10 times. 
• A tennis or stress ball can also be used. 

Grip in a Hurry 

• Between your thumb and another finger, hold a ball. 
• Squeeze it for a total of five seconds. 
• In each hand, repeat the action 10 times. 

Finger

 Finger exercises are necessary for developing strength and flexibility as well as pain relief.

Glide of the Hand/Finger Tendons 

• Make a hook fist with all of your fingers straight. 
• Re-straighten your hand and create a complete fist. 
• Return to a straight hand after making a straight fist. 
• In each hand, repeat the action 10 times. 

Make a letter O 

• Begin with a straight hand and a small bend in your thumb toward the other fingers. 
• Make an O shape with your index finger by moving it until it meets your thumb. 
• 30 seconds of holding 
• In each hand, repeat the action 10 times with each finger. 

Claw Extend 

• Hold your hand in front of you with the palm facing you and the fingers straight. 
• Bend each finger’s base towards each other until your hand resembles a claw. 
• Repeat four times in this posture for a total of 60 seconds.

Flexion of the thumb 

• Begin with your thumb pointing outward. 
• Return to the beginning position by moving it across the palm. 

About Desert Edge Physical Therapy

Desert Edge Physical Therapy is the leading Physical Therapy office in Northwest Phoenix serving Peoria, Vistancia, Glendale, Surprise, and all surrounding regions. We have a long history of helping individuals recover from pain and injury. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to serve you, your family, and your friends! When suffering from dysfunction, pain, or injury, seeing a physical therapist might be precisely what your vehicle needs to keep running smoothly for the rest of your life. Too many of us believe we must just cope with the discomfort that arises as a result of inactivity, dysfunctional movement, or injury; however, Desert Edge Physical Therapy is here to help you restore your normal mobility so you may enjoy and complete your human experience! Contact us today!