Hand Therapy
Hand therapy can help people with conditions that involve the wrist, hands, as well as other upper extremities. Some typical examples include grip strengthening and alphabet writing. It is important to choose a certified and experienced hand therapist, who should have at least 4,000 hours of training or 3 years of experience, to ensure safety and effectiveness. The therapist may suggest conservative or nonoperative intervention, industrial ergonomic advice, preventive care, or postoperative rehabilitation. For those people with rheumatoid arthritis, they may especially help with:
– Chronic or acute pain management
– Training in energy conservation and joint protection
– Suggestions for adaptive techniques or assistive/adaptive equipment and devices
– Exercise or activity plan specially designed to improve strength, dexterity, and motion [10]
