Glossary > Healthcare > Rehabilitation Services > Occupational Therapy

Hand Therapy

Hand therapy is a type of rehabilitation service that focuses on treating conditions affecting the hands, wrists, and arms to improve function and reduce pain through specialized exercises, manual therapy, and education.

Example #1

A person who has undergone surgery on their hand may go to hand therapy to regain strength and dexterity.

Example #2

Someone with carpal tunnel syndrome might benefit from hand therapy to learn ergonomic techniques and stretches.

Misuse

Misuse of hand therapy could occur if a provider recommends unnecessary sessions beyond what is medically required, leading to excessive costs for the patient. It's important to guard against overprescription of services to ensure that patients receive appropriate and cost-effective care.

Benefits

Hand therapy can be beneficial by helping individuals recover from injuries or surgeries, improve mobility, reduce pain, and regain independence in daily activities. For example, a hand therapy program may help someone with arthritis learn techniques to manage pain and maintain hand function.

Conclusion

Hand therapy plays a crucial role in the rehabilitation process by focusing on enhancing the recovery of hand and arm-related conditions to enable individuals to perform daily tasks with greater ease and comfort.

Last Modified: 4/30/2024