Hand Therapy

Wrist pain due to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a condition that causes pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in your hand. This occurs when the median nerve, which runs along the length of your arm, gets compressed in a passage at your wrist called the carpal tunnel.           The median nerve is one…

Golfers elbow is a term used to describe pain on the inside of the arm. Although it is commonly seen in golf, this injury is not limited to those who play the sport, or any sport at all. Also known as medial epicondylitis, golfer’s elbow is frequently diagnosed in baseball players due to repetitive throwing….

  Ergonomic adjustments to your everyday life can improve & prevent arm pain and other symptoms. Remember that song, “the hip bones connected to the knee bone”? Your body has many interconnecting parts. If one part is not where it should be, it will not be able to do its job to the best of…

Whether you’re checking your email, texting family and friends, or connecting on social media, the reality is your phone may seem like an extension of your body. Unfortunately, repetitive use of electronic devices can lead to undesired consequences in your hands and arms. A hand therapist can help you modify how you use your phone…

What is work conditioning? Work conditioning is a work-related, intensive, goal-oriented treatment program. It is specifically designed to restore an individual’s systemic, neurological, musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary functions through carefully selected exercises related to their specific job requirements. The purpose of our work conditioning program is to maximize a patient’s physical and functional abilities, allowing them…

“I have played the violin nearly all my life. In 2015, I received a Doctorate in Violin Performance from Arizona State University. As a professional violinist, I work in a wide variety of settings—from teaching young students to working with college-age students, and performing regularly with the Portland Opera and Oregon Symphony. In 2017, I…

Ice vs Heat: Which is better for physical therapy? If there is one question we are asked nearly every day in physical therapy, it’s: “which is better, ice or heat?” Well, the answer depends on the individual and the timeline of the injury. Here’s some information to help guide your decision next time you are…

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis is a painful tendonitis on the thumb side of your wrist. This inflammation causes the lining (sheath) around the tendon to thicken and become rough, making it difficult for the tendons to glide through the sheath as they move your thumb. Some of the associated symptoms may include: May have swelling near…

Pain or discomfort located on the small-finger side of the wrist is commonly categorized as ulnar wrist pain. It is named after a bone in the forearm, the ulna, which runs from the elbow down to the wrist bones. There are many mechanisms or causes of ulnar wrist pain. Injuries may occur suddenly, as with a sprain…

Do you have tight muscles? If the answer is yes, you likely have trigger points. Trigger points = “knots” = a contracted area of muscle. These trigger points cause pain, weakness and restriction in your motion. With use of a lacrosse ball you can do self-trigger point releases on many muscles. To release a trigger…