The human hand has evolved as an important, anatomically complicated, and specialized tool that helps us do hundreds, if not thousands, of different tasks of varying complexities. Many sensitive muscles, tendons, and nerves in the human hand-wrist system work together to enable complex maneuvers like writing, sewing, typing, and working out.

In playing their role as two of the most physically versatile organs, our hands often take the toll of the many tasks we casually entrust them with every day.

Damage to muscle fibers and tendons due to excessive pressure (caused by weight lifting, sustained gripping or forceful impact) causes hand strains and sprains. As a result, patients report symptoms like long-lasting pain, inflammation, difficulty in movement, and stiffness in hands and wrists.

How to Handle and Treat Hand Sprains

Treatment of hand sprains and strains must be taken seriously. If the pain does not subside for a few days, one must seek professional help. Delay in doing so often serves to amplify the problem because inadvertent hand movements are likely to cause further damage to muscles and tendons. The following treatments should be considered if and when you sprain your hands:

  1. Minimize hand movements that cause pain
  2. Keep the affected hand in a relaxed and comfortable position
  3. Apply ice for 10-15 minutes on the affected area
  4. Do not lift heavy objects
  5. Visit a certified occupational hand therapist for better assessment and treatment

Why Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy is a type of physical treatment that improves the functionality of the affected region in doing everyday tasks. In other words, occupational therapy helps patients get back on track with their daily lives after severe physical damage.

Occupational hand therapy is recommended for mild and severe cases of hand sprains. It is a non-invasive and professionally guided treatment that repairs and strengthens damaged muscles, ligaments and/or tendons.

Person holding a weight

Hands and wrists, being intricate and complex in their biological build-up, are given careful attention by occupational hand therapists. After a damage assessment, a certified occupational hand therapist (OHT) will form a treatment plan depending on the severity of the damage. The treatment may include one or more of the many techniques employed to correct hand sprains and strains.

Mentioned below are some of the many techniques we, at Able Hands Rehab, use to treat hand sprains and strains:

  1. Guided therapeutic exercises focused on relieving pressure
  2. Heat treatment via paraffin wax, friction massage, hot packs, etc.
  3. Cold treatment via cold packs and cryo-massages
  4. Orthotic adjustments
  5. Custom hand splintingor casting to keep the damaged hand immobile

If you are located in New Jersey, you can find certified occupational hand therapists at Able Hands Rehabilitation to treat hand sprains and other hand & wrist physical therapy needs. We are located in Edison, Freehold, and Old Bridge, NJ.

Reach out to us on 732-727-7333 or have your questions answered by our Certified Hand Therapists through ablehandsrehab@gmail.com.