What is Hand Therapy?
Hand therapy is a specialised form of physiotherapy and occupational therapy performed by specialist hand therapists.
Hand therapists are professional physiotherapists or occupational therapists who provide specialist treatments to elderly patients who suffer from loss of function in their hand, arm, or shoulder. These treatments can include scar management, retraining, stretching, and resistance exercises.
Our hand therapists at Therapies on Thames are all registered members of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), giving service users peace of mind that the care received follows all best practice guidance and is of the highest possible standard. Our care is focused on older adults, typically aged 65+, and we deliver hand therapy in our patients’ homes, residential homes (care and nursing), and in some hospitals and treatment facilities.
There are a number of reasons why you may be referred for hand therapy treatment, including:
- rehabilitation following a recent surgery
- long term injury
- ongoing disease affecting the hand or arm.
What hand conditions are most common in elderly people?
The two most common hand conditions found in elderly people are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Hand arthritis, of any form, is where the smooth, cushioned cartilage between joints is attacked by disease or worn down by general wear and tear. Hand arthritis is often painful and debilitating for the elderly due to the cartilage becoming rougher and thinner, resulting in painful, stiffened joints and decreased suppleness of the hands.
As the severity of your loved one’s arthritic hand condition increases, sadly so too does their inability to complete everyday tasks. The increased loss of cartilage between joints causes the bones to rub together, making fine motor skills painful and difficult to undertake. This loss of hand functioning can then directly impact the ability for elderly patients to live independently.
We understand how damaging the loss of independence can impact elderly patients, which is why our caring team of hand therapists specialise in hand therapy for elderly people. We will recommend hand therapy exercises that are known to help reduce stiffness and aches, so that our elderly patients can manage their condition while continuing to live independently with their condition.
What should I expect to happen at Hand Therapy?
When attending a hand therapy appointment, our hand therapists will initially assess your needs, before developing a personalised plan specifically for you. This plan will include a likely timeline for optimum recovery, as well as a summary of the planned hand therapy interventions.
Fundamental to our approach is ensuring that the treatment you receive is successful, not only in terms of building strength and regaining motor skills, but also in restoring your ability and confidence to complete day-to-day activities which are often difficult post-surgery, disease, or injury. Our objective is always to provide compassionate care which gently guides you back to improved functionality and confidence.
During hand therapy sessions, our therapists will work with you on a number of gentle exercises and stretches. We will also make recommendations for light stretches that you can complete at home and will ensure that you are comfortable and confident with these actions before the appointment ends.
Depending on your reason for treatment, you may also require a splint or other support to aid in your recovery; this would typically be the case when the hand therapy is designed to correct a deformity or increase strength.
What type of exercises will I be asked to do during hand therapy?
Hand therapy treatments can typically encompass a range of stretches and exercises, including hand, wrist and thumb extension exercises and various flex exercises. Some of these exercises will include the use of everyday household items like coins and pens.
Some of the most common therapy exercises for finger movements include activities such as the picking up and dropping of coins, the rolling of a pen and the putting together of a jigsaw puzzle. All these hand exercises are used to improve finger coordination for fine motor skills.
We also use hand therapy balls to help build strength and improve hand coordination and dexterity. There are many variations in firmness of therapy balls, which allow you to slowly increase the intensity of gripping and squeezing as your therapy progresses.
How long will I have to attend hand therapy?
The length of your hand therapy rehabilitation will vary depending on the severity of your condition and course of treatment required. Therapy could last for several weeks or months, but every treatment plan is tailormade for you to help regain fine motor skills, build strength, and improve your quality of life.
There will also be follow up appointments with your occupational therapist to answer any questions you may have and to check on your progress since the last appointment. Where applicable, we will introduce or adjust any treatments required to continue your rehabilitation.
About Therapies on Thames
Therapies on Thames offers specialist rehabilitation services for the elderly across the UK. With a head office located in Berkshire, our team provides inpatient and home visit services for those who need physiotherapy or occupational therapy to help recover from an injury or ongoing health issue.
All physiotherapists at Therapies on Thames are registered Charted Physiotherapists with the CSP (Charted Society of Physiotherapy) and are registered with the Health & Care Professionals Council. For added peace of mind all our physiotherapist are Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked.
A charted physiotherapist is a title that only a fully qualified physiotherapist registered with the CSP (Charted Society of Physiotherapy) can use. Charted Physiotherapists have undergone intense training and have a 3–4-year university degree or equivalent and are recognised by medical professions and the Department of Health.
If you or a loved one need assistance in regaining or maintaining their hand functionality, contact us today by completing our contact form.