HOW WE TREAT | Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy

Having a hand, wrist or arm injury can really set you back and not just in the short term. Everyday, you use your hands and arms to do thousands of tasks that we often take for granted. From brushing your teeth to cutting up your food, your hands and arms do a lot of work. That is why, when an injury occurs or after a needed surgical procedure, Occupational therapy is vital to get your joints and muscles moving properly again.

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After an injury or surgery, right away muscles begin to waste, joints become stiff and swelling happens. The hands are a very difficult place for swelling to leave from and it typically takes quite some time for it to resolve. Depending on the type of injury or surgery, putting the arm or wrist in a cast or brace may be required. This helps the tendons, ligaments or bones affected, to heal in a natural position. The downside is that you don’t do all those normal movements you need to be doing each day. Everything becomes stiff and weak. However, the right therapy can increase your movement and strength back to normal.

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The Key to Recovery

How well you recover after any injury or surgery of the hand, wrist or arm is dependent on occupational therapy, especially hand therapy with a certified hand therapist. With years of extensive training in the upper extremity and hands, a hand therapist is a true specialist in this area. That makes all the difference in the speed and completeness of your recovery.

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Depending on your body and the severity of the injury or surgery, the length of time to recover can vary. Typically soft tissue injuries take six weeks or more to heal and bone injuries take eight weeks or longer. Your doctor and therapist work together to make sure you are progressing at the needed pace to allow your body to heal at its best ability.

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Know that no matter what you have been through, the expert hand and occupational therapists are here to work with you and your doctor to achieve the best outcomes. In no time, you will be well on your way to a speedy recovery and back to your normal daily activities. Click here to request an appointment at Global Physical Therapy & Spine Specialists to find out how we can help you.