Hand injuries can be very frustrating. With as much as we use our hands, pain and injury can interfere with our work, our recreational activities, our hobbies, nearly all of our normal daily activities. Unfortunately, injuries aren’t only limited to accidents and sports. Some of these ordinary daily hobbies and habits we take for granted can also cause or contribute to hand injuries.
Preventing and recovering from hand injuries is so important that there is a specialized branch of physical medicine dedicated to hand therapy. Often, hand therapists help people recover from injuries caused by normal, everyday activities.
Common Daily Activities Can Lead to Hand Injuries
Some of your most basic and routine tasks can contribute to hand injuries. Working at your computer, working in your garden, crafting and DIY activities can all contribute to different types of hand injury, and it’s worth keeping in mind. Some examples include:
- Keyboard and Mouse Overuse
We don’t always think about it, but frequent keyboard and mouse use can contribute to some very real, very painful conditions, like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tendinitis, and Trigger Finger. This is due to the repetitive movements and can be exacerbated by poor posture and a lack of breaks. If you are a frequent computer user and you experience tingling, numbness, pain or weakness in your hands or wrists, consider reaching out for professional help. - Gardening Strain
Gardening is a fantastic way to get outside and enjoy nature, but it is another contributor to several potential hand injuries like the ones above, and can even contribute to joint sprain, overuse Injuries, or a painful condition like de Quervain tenosynovitis. The repetitive digging or clipping and forceful gripping associated with gardening can cause wrist pain, thumb stiffness or aching that may indicate an injury. - Crafting & DIY Activities
Many people enjoy crafting or participate in DIY repair or renovation projects. These activities also represent opportunities for many of the conditions listed above. Repetitive strain injuries, hand cramping , or wrist tendonitis can be caused by the prolonged fine motor movements and awkward hand positions associated with these activities. If you experience soreness, decreased range of motion, or fatigue, you should consider contacting a medical professional.
Since many of these activities are so common, many of these injuries are common as well. The wide range of hand and wrist injuries and the importance of having fully functional hands are exactly why hand therapy and specialized hand therapists exist.
A hand therapist can use a variety of techniques to help you recover from injury or pain in your hands or wrists.
Hand Therapy Can Help
Hand therapy is a specialized area of physical and occupational therapy concerned with conditions affecting the hands, wrists, and upper extremities. A hand therapist can help you reduce pain and restore function after an injury, and they can also help you prevent future injuries. A hand therapist can help you with:
- Personalized treatment plans
Your therapist will evaluate your condition and help develop a personalized exercise routine to improve strength, flexibility and mobility.
Education and Ergonomic Training
A therapist can also give you tips to improve your posture or hand/wrist mechanics for various tasks. They can also provide equipment recommendations to help you perform these tasks without injury in the future. - Prevention and Maintenance
Along with the education listed above, a hand therapist can advise you on stretches and warm-up routines you can perform before these activities to help prevent injury, as well as strategies to reduce repetitive strain and protect your joints.
Hand therapy isn’t just about injury recovery. It’s about injury prevention and the long-term health of your hands and wrists. Greater strength, flexibility, and mobility can help you enjoy your daily activities without the pain and injury that can accompany them. Healthier hands and wrists can also mean enjoying these activities much later into your life.
If you experience persistent pain or numbness, or you have noticed a limited range of motion while performing your usual daily tasks, you should strongly consider reaching out for professional guidance. The earlier you detect an injury and start treating it, the greater your chances of a complete and speedy recovery.
At Strive! Physical Therapy, we’ve been helping Ocala area residents treat their pain and improve their lives for over 40 years. If you think specialized hand therapy may be right for you, contact us to schedule a free consultation. A skilled professional can evaluate your condition and help you determine your next steps. Call us at 352.351.8883 or email us today to schedule a consultation.
