Skip to content

Certified Hand Therapyin Philadelphia, Trenton & Surrounding Cities

Hand therapy is defined as the science and art of assessment and rehabilitation of the upper limbs.

Hand therapy is an excellent way to ease hand and wrist pain, stiffness, and weakness. Physical therapy for the hand and wrist will prioritize mobilizing the small joints in the area, strengthening the muscles, and correcting harmful movement patterns. It is important to seek PT early in the healing process when you injure your hand or wrist so they can function normally as quickly as possible.

Common Causes of Hand & Wrist Pain

Hand and wrist pain are usually related and can happen from an injury or gradually over time. Sudden hand and wrist pain may happen due to muscle strains, ligaments sprains, or fractures. One of the most common ways to injure the hand and wrist is to break a fall with an outstretched hand. Over time, conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and arthritis can happen due to overuse and poor strength. Carpal tunnel syndrome will create pain and numbness in the wrist and fingers. Osteoarthritis can occur in any joints in the hand or wrist, and happens most frequently in the base of the thumb. Hand physical therapy and physical therapy for wrist are both ways to restore your hand and wrist function to normal.

Best Exercises for Hand & Wrist

Physical therapy for hand involves many exercises to restore mobility, strength, and controlled use of the hand and wrist. Your PT may have you work on strengthening your grip with putty, work on dexterity with specific tasks, and stretch your forearm and wrist by pulling your hand back toward your arm. They will tell you the specifics on how often and how many times to do each exercise at home.

How A Physical Therapist Can Help

Physical therapists are highly trained professionals to help hand and wrist pain, especially if they are certified hand therapists. Your physical therapist will conduct a thorough examination to determine what is causing your wrist and hand pain and work to treat the deficits in strength, mobility, and functional use. The goal is to return functional use of the hand and wrist to before the patient started feeling any pain or was injured. Physical therapy can improve pain after surgery, from a sprain or strain, or from an injury gradually developed. Make sure to schedule an appointment at Strive PT so our therapists can help solve your pain.

Hand Therapy works to relieve pain in the hands, wrist, or shoulder due to:

  • Post Surgical Care
  • Carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, thoracic outlet syndrome, and other nerve entrapment disorders
  • Tendon and nerve injuries
  • Sports injuries
  • Workers' compensation injuries
  • Rotator cuff injuries
  • Sprains and strains
  • Fractures and dislocations
  • Arthritis

The Strive PT Difference

Specialty-Level Care

Target your discomfort at the source with a customized treatment plan.

More Board Certified Experts

Experience high-quality care from a team you can trust.

1:1 Personalized Treatments

Develop a custom treatment plan with our team of physical therapists.

Certified Hand Therapy Locations

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A physical therapy visit lasts about 40-60 minutes. The actual contents of the visit vary based on your diagnosis/need, but typically what happens is:

    1. You check in with the receptionist, make any appointments necessary, and we discuss your health insurance benefits with you.
    2. You go into the gym. You can change clothes if you need to, then begin therapy.
    3. You perform 6-8 various exercises and stretches. These can include therapeutic band exercises, light body weight exercises, or minimal weights. The stretches will promote strength, stability, improved range of motion, and pain relief.
    4. We can initiate other techniques to include manual work, taping, cupping, and dry needling as needed.
    5. The therapist makes recommendations based on your progress. These can include altering the frequency of visits, making additions/alterations to your home exercise plan, or things to do before your next visit.
  • We recommend budgeting 40-60 minutes for a typical therapy session. The only exception to this will be your first visit, which can take about 20 minutes longer due to the physical therapy evaluation your therapist will provide. We also recommend showing up about 10-15 minutes early to your first visit. This way, you can complete the paperwork before your visit time and streamline the process.

  • If we are asking you to do something that is hurting too much, let us know! Physical therapy should not be severely painful. It is not common to be so sore that patients are in pain or it affects their daily life. If this ever happens during or after an appointment, let us know and we will adapt your program.

  • During your initial evaluation, your therapist may ask you a number of questions to determine what the cause of your pain is. This can include questions about your sleep habits, activity level, and work environment. They will also ask for a medical history, and then typically ask direct questions about where and when you experience pain.

Have more questions? Contact Us

People in Pennsylvania & New Jersey Trust Strive PT

Hear from patients that reclaimed their lives.

I was fortunate enough to see Dr. Anthony on the very SAME day I called, to request help with vertigo. He was very knowledgeable, thorough, and compassionate. Not only did I leave feeling better, I also left equipped with practical, easy to follow information to help prevent future incidents. This was my second visit to SOAR and both times I was very impressed!

5 stars

Doreen B

I had a total knee replacement in Sept this year. At first I dreaded going in for the appointments and going thru the process which was estimated to be 3 months of therapy. My therapist is Chris Albanese. He's easy going and dedicated to getting my new knee construction to improve its mobility and functioning. After exactly 2 months with Chris I was released from therapy 1 month ahead of schedule. The staff at Soar was very helpful and everyone pitches in. I will recommend Soar Therapy to anyone.

5 stars

Don G

Dr. Keith was wonderful. Very thorough and always took the time to explain everything in detail. The entire staff is welcoming, friendly and efficient. My experience with Soar was wonderful and I recommend it to anyone requiring PT.

5 stars

Jill Z

Mark knew what he was doing; in all my years of therapy Mark was the best. He gave me Physical Therapy that worked for me. He knows his career very well. He knows what the patient needs to get better. Thank you so much!

5 stars

Verified Patient

Strive PT

The time I spent with Tom and other members of the staff was great. The therapy that was provided cured me! I’m thankful to Dr. Paz who recommended that I come here. Again the staff here at STRIVE have been great. I could come here just for the workout. Again, I say thanks for your professionalism and support to help me.

5 stars

Verified Patient

Strive PT

The professional atmosphere, cleanliness, and attentiveness of the staff I came in contact with at Strive provided a wonderful experience.

5 stars

Verified Patient

Strive PT

Nearly 4 years ago I had a severe cervical spine injury resulting in 2 surgeries that left me in constant agony, unable to walk unassisted, bathe myself, cut my own food, or get up the stairs alone. But Mike, Matt, Tyler and the entire crew at Dresher PT NEVER gave up on me. They cheered me on, gently and consistently challenged me, and exceeded the expectations of the surgeons who felt I was bound for a life of significant disability. I can do almost everything I had been able to prior to the injury. ALL thanks to Dresher PT!

5 stars

Amy E.

I first came to Dresher PT with a rotator cuff injury. My surgeon had told me to expect a two-year recovery period. I came to Dresher PT and, within three months, my shoulder was back to 100% normal. They are fabulous!

5 stars

Susan

I owe your admin staff a HUGE thank you for helping me through the insurance maze. No other medical office I’ve ever been to takes as much time to educate their clients about their insurance coverage and to advocate for them when insurance companies try to pull their dirty tricks.

5 stars

Cara R.

Schedule Now