Hand

Are you grappling with persistent pain in your hand?

Whether it’s a sharp twinge during specific movements or a dull, continuous discomfort, hand issues can significantly disrupt your daily life.

Many of our clients have been in your shoes, and we’ve helped them regain mobility and live pain-free.

Your hand is a complex structure made up of bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons that work together to provide a wide range of motion and dexterity. But when something goes wrong, it can lead to symptoms such as:

• Persistent pain or discomfort
• Reduced mobility or stiffness
• Difficulty in gripping objects or making a fist
• Swelling or tenderness around the joint

These issues can stem from a variety of causes, from sports injuries to conditions like arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or even repetitive strain from activities like typing or playing a musical instrument.

We take a comprehensive approach to diagnose and understand the root cause of your hand pain. Our process is thorough and involves several steps:

Detailed History Taking
The first step in our assessment process is understanding your history. We’ll ask about your lifestyle, daily activities, and any specific incidents that might have led to your pain. We’ll want to know when your pain started, what makes it better or worse, and how it’s affecting your daily life. This information helps us understand the context of your pain and guides our physical examination.

Physical Examination
Next, we’ll conduct a thorough physical examination of your hand. This involves assessing your hand’s mobility, strength, and identifying any specific pain points. We’ll look at your hand’s range of motion, grip strength, and dexterity. We’ll also examine your hand and wrist for any signs of swelling, redness, or deformity.

Special Tests
Depending on your symptoms and history, we might conduct special tests to identify specific conditions. For example, we might perform the Phalen’s test or Tinel’s sign to check for carpal tunnel syndrome, or the Finkelstein’s test for De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. These tests help us narrow down the potential causes of your pain.

Diagnostic Imaging
In some cases, we might need more information to make a diagnosis. This could involve using diagnostic imaging techniques like ultrasound, X-ray, or MRI. These tools can help us visualise the structures in your hand and identify any abnormalities, such as fractures, arthritis, or nerve compression.

Referral to Specialists
If your hand pain is due to a complex condition that requires specialist care, we’ll refer you to the appropriate healthcare professional. This could be a rheumatologist for arthritis, a neurologist for nerve issues, or an orthopaedic surgeon for severe injuries.

Throughout this process, we prioritise open communication and patient education. We’ll explain each step of the assessment, answer your questions, and ensure you understand your condition and treatment options.

Our goal is to empower you with knowledge and involve you in decision-making about your care.

Once we have a clear understanding of the cause of your hand pain, we create a personalised treatment plan designed to alleviate your pain, restore your hand function, and prevent future issues.

Our approach to treatment is multifaceted and may involve:

Manual Therapy
This involves hands-on techniques to improve joint mobility, reduce pain, and enhance movement. Techniques can include joint mobilisations, soft tissue massage, and trigger point therapy.

Exercise Therapy
We’ll design a customised exercise program to improve your hand’s strength, flexibility, and coordination. This could involve exercises to stretch tight muscles, strengthen weak ones, and improve fine motor skills. We’ll also teach you exercises you can do at home to maintain your progress.

Pain Management
We use various strategies to help manage your pain. This could include advice on modifying your activities, using heat or cold therapy, or techniques for managing chronic pain.

Splinting or Bracing
In some cases, a splint or brace may be recommended to support your hand, limit certain movements, and allow tissues to heal.

Education
We believe that understanding your condition is a crucial part of recovery. We’ll educate you about your condition, why you’re experiencing pain, and how you can manage it. We’ll also provide advice on how to modify your daily activities to prevent further injury.

Referral to Other Health Professionals
If your condition requires additional care, we’ll coordinate with other healthcare professionals. This could include occupational therapists for adaptive equipment or techniques, or a hand surgeon for severe conditions.

Our goal is not just to provide a temporary fix but to ensure that your recovery is sustainable.

We focus on long-term solutions, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to manage your hand health in the future.

We’re here to support you every step of the way, from your initial assessment to your ongoing management and beyond.

The prognosis for hand issues treated with physiotherapy is generally very positive. However, the exact outlook can vary depending on the specific condition.

Here’s what many of our clients experience:

• Improvement in Pain and Function: With consistent physiotherapy, most patients experience significant improvements in pain levels and hand function. You can expect to regain strength, flexibility, and fine motor skills, making daily tasks easier and less painful.
• Timeframe: The recovery timeline can vary. Minor injuries may see improvement within a few weeks of starting physiotherapy. More severe or chronic conditions may require several months of consistent treatment for noticeable improvement.
• Long-term Management: For some chronic or degenerative conditions, ongoing management may be necessary. This doesn’t mean you’ll always be in significant pain or severely limited in your activities. With the right strategies and exercises, you can manage your symptoms and lead a normal, active life.
• Prevention of Future Issues: Physiotherapy doesn’t just help you recover; it also equips you with the knowledge and exercises to prevent future issues. By learning how to protect and strengthen your hand, you can reduce the risk of re-injury or the development of new hand issues.
• Quality of Life: Ultimately, the goal of physiotherapy is to help you get back to your life. Whether it’s returning to your favourite hobby, being able to work without pain, or simply performing everyday tasks with ease

Every person’s recovery journey is unique and we’re committed to providing personalised care that addresses your specific needs and goals.

Your journey to a pain-free life can start today.

At Bounty Physio, we’re committed to providing the highest quality of care in a friendly, understanding environment.

We’ve helped countless people overcome their hand issues, and we’re ready to help you too.

Book your appointment with us today and take the first step towards reclaiming your life from hand pain.