Distal Upper Extremity Rehabilitation Holland, MI

Distal Upper Extremity Rehabilitation

Distal-upper-extremity-rehabilitation-Full-Potential-Physical-Therapy-Holland-MI

Fractures are a common source of wrist and hand injuries and their need for PT varies depending on age and the severity of the fracture. Physical therapy is very effective in working loose the small joints in the hand and wrist in those situations with lingering pain and loss of motion.

The hand itself is a very interesting structure since it often lives in a flexed or gripped state. Life demands a grip to function and even when sleeping the hand will often be found to hold a gripped position. As a result, muscle imbalances are very common in the hand/forearm area. Physical therapy can be very helpful to assist someone in overcoming these imbalances which can result in renewed motion and dexterity. This is especially common in the aging process where often one’s stiffness is often attributed to “arthritis”. The best way to know if physical therapy can help is to get an evaluation. PT provides good action steps and gives someone renewed optimism for better functional use of their hands and fingers.

The highest percentages of elbow problems outside of fractures are commonly termed “tennis and golfer’s elbow”. These conditions are typically related to repetitive stress from sports as the names imply or from gripping/work situations. The medical term for these two conditions is called epicondylitis and they can become debilitating if not addressed quickly. Tied closely to the treatment of these problems is education and equipment modification to unload the stress concentrating on the elbow. Full Potential Physical Therapy provides a comprehensive approach to handling these conditions which include looking at the patient’s overall posture and how it can affect stress concentrating on the distal arm.

Common Conditions Our Physical Therapist Help:

  • Fractures
  • Tendonitis
  • Carpel tunnel syndrome
  • Tennis and Golfer’s elbow
  • Stiffness
  • Elbow, wrist, and hand problems

For more information, Contact Full Potential Physical Therapy today at our Holland, MI location.

A Better Life is Only Four Steps Away

Physical therapy can be an unfamiliar experience for many. To orient new patients to the process, we have divided their rehab journey into four segments called “The Four Phases of Getting Better.” It is important to note that while there are four phases utilized over the course of your care, they are not totally separate. They move gradually toward greater strengthening and function, which is the end goal to return confidently to the life you desire to live.

1

Pain Relief

The first focus in getting better is pain relief. After your evaluation, your physical therapist will use hands-on techniques or manual therapy, light therapeutic exercise, and education on how to modify your activity and posture in order to give you more control over your pain. In this stage, modalities like ice, heat, myofascial release, electric stimulation and kinesiotape may be used.

2

Improve Mobility/Flexibility

The second step in this method is to improve mobility and flexibility. Your therapist will design a progressive program of range of motion and light stretching to restore mobility and reduce pain.

3

Improve Strength/Control

In the third step of this method, muscle weakness will be addressed to help you maintain the gains and momentum you achieve through phases one and two. A thorough strengthening process is the step that gives results that last, and this will prepare you for more functional training – the final step.

4

Functional Training

Now that your pain is resolved and you have the necessary mobility and strength, your program can be advanced into functional training. Whether you are returning to work, returning to life after post-op rehabilitation, getting back into recreation or sports, or simply returning to the activities of daily life, this step helps ensure your success after graduation and empowers you to be confident in your abilities again.

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