Manual Therapy Techniques for Treating Upper Extremity Pain and Injuries

Manual Therapy Techniques for Treating Upper Extremity Pain and Injuries

June 20, 2023

Are you struggling with pain in your shoulder, elbow, or wrist? Is it difficult to perform daily activities due to upper extremity pain? If so, manual therapy at Hand in Hand Rehabilitation in New York, NY, or Carle Place, NY may be the solution you’re looking for!

Upper extremity pain can be a major source of discomfort and limitation in daily activities. The pain can make it difficult to perform even the simplest tasks, whether an injury, overuse or a chronic condition causes it.

Manual therapy can be an effective treatment approach for alleviating pain and restoring mobility in the upper extremities. Manual therapy techniques, including soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, and muscle energy techniques, can help alleviate pain and improve function in the upper extremities.

At Hand in Hand Rehabilitation in New York, NY, and Carle Place, NY our highly skilled occupational therapist recognizes the benefits of manual therapy for upper extremity pain relief and uses a variety of techniques to help individuals achieve a better quality of life.

Our expert occupational therapists are here to help you alleviate upper extremity pain and regain your mobility. Don’t hesitate to book your session today!

Common upper extremity conditions treated by manual therapy

Upper extremity pain and injuries can significantly impact your ability to perform daily tasks. They can cause a great deal of discomfort. Fortunately, our skilled occupational therapists at Hand in Hand Rehabilitation can help you understand the underlying causes of your pain and provide targeted, individualized treatments to alleviate your symptoms.

Various upper extremity conditions can benefit from manual therapy, including the following conditions:

Shoulder impingement syndrome: This condition causes shoulder pain when the tendons and bones of the shoulder rub against each other. Manual therapy can help by decreasing muscle tension, improving joint mobility, and reducing inflammation in the shoulder.

Carpal tunnel syndrome: This condition affects the wrist and hand, causing numbness, tingling, and pain. Manual therapy can help by reducing pressure on the median nerve, improving joint mobility in the wrist, and releasing muscle tension in the forearm and hand.

Tennis and golfer’s elbow: This is a common condition that causes pain and tenderness in the outer part of the elbow. Manual therapy can help by reducing muscle tension and inflammation, improving joint mobility, and increasing blood flow to the area.

Rotator cuff injuries and tears: A rotator cuff tear is a common cause of shoulder pain. Manual therapy can help by improving joint mobility and reducing muscle tension in the shoulder, which can alleviate pain and improve function.

Frozen shoulder: Also known as adhesive capsulitis, this condition causes stiffness and pain in the shoulder. Manual therapy can help by improving joint mobility and reducing restrictions in the soft tissue in the shoulder joint and surrounding region. This can help to alleviate pain and improve the range of motion.

Manual therapy can be effective for upper extremity conditions because it helps to increase circulation, improve tissue mobility, decrease muscle tension, and reduce inflammation. By addressing these underlying issues, manual therapy can help to alleviate pain and improve function in the affected area.

Our Hand in Hand Rehabilitation team of skilled and experienced manual therapists are committed to providing the highest level of care to help improve your mobility, reduce pain, and enhance your overall quality of life!

What to Expect at Hand in Hand Rehabilitation Sessions

Our highly skilled manual therapists at our clinic will provide you with a comprehensive evaluation of your upper extremity injury or pain. We will begin by taking your medical history to understand the root cause of your condition. Then, we will conduct a hands-on assessment, including a range of motion and strength tests, to determine the best course of treatment.

Our focus is to improve tissue mobility and overall function using manual therapy techniques such as soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, and myofascial release. Our therapists are well-versed in using these techniques clinically, and they will customize your treatment plan to ensure you get the best results.

Here are some of the most common types of manual therapy used by our Hand in Hand Rehabilitation therapists:

  • Joint mobilization: This technique involves gently moving the joints through their full range of motion to improve mobility, reduce pain, and restore function.
  • Trigger point therapy: A technique that involves applying pressure to specific points on the body that are tender or painful to release tension and reduce pain.
  • Strain-counterstain: A technique that involves holding a painful joint or muscle in a position of comfort to help reduce pain and improve mobility.

Manual therapy can be an effective tool for therapists to help patients manage pain, improve function, and achieve better overall health and wellness.

Call today to request an appointment!

You don’t have to live with upper extremity pain. Let our Hand in Hand Rehabilitation therapists provide the manual therapy you need to start living pain-free.

Take action and contact us today to schedule your manual therapy session!

Sources:

https://www.physio-pedia.com/Manual_Therapy?utm_source=physiopedia&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=ongoing_internal

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8360410/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7310163/

https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/6/1/e000614/?int_source=trendmd&int_medium=cpc&int_campaign=usage-042019

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ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT EVALUATIONS
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CERTIFIED HAND THERAPY
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CUPPING
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CUSTOM ORTHOSES
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DESENSITIZATION/SENSORY RE-EDUCATION
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LASER THERAPY
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OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
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Orthopedic Therapy
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SPORTS REHABILITATION
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THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE
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UPPER EXTREMITY REHAB
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WOUND CARE

ARTHRITIS OF THE HAND
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ATHLETIC INJURIES
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BOUTONNIERE DEFORMITY
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CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
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CHRONIC PAIN
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CMC ARTHRITIS
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COMPLEX REGIONAL PAIN SYNDROME
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CUBITAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
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DEQUERVAIN TENDINOPATHY
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DISTAL BICEPS RUPTURE
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DISTAL RADIUS FRACTURES

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
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ELBOW, WRIST & HAND PAIN
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ERGONOMICS
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EXTENSOR TENDON INJURY
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FIBROMYALGIA
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FINGER DISLOCATION INJURIES
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FINGERTIP INJURIES
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FLEXOR TENDON INJURY
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FROZEN SHOULDER
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GANGLION CYSTS
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HAND BURNS

HAND EDEMA
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HAND FRACTURES
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HAND INFECTIONS
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HAND PAIN
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HYPERMOBILITY SYNDROME
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Motor Vehicle Accidents
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RADIAL HEAD FRACTURES
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RADIAL NERVE PALSY
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Repetitive Stress Injuries
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ROTATOR CUFF TEAR
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SCAPHOID FRACTURES

SHOULDER IMPINGEMENT
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SHOULDER PAIN
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TENNIS ELBOW
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TFCC INJURIES
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TOTAL ELBOW ARTHROPLASTY
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TRAUMATIC SHOULDER DISLOCATION
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TRIGGER FINGER
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ULNAR COLLATERAL LIGAMENT (UCL) INJURY OF THE THUMB
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Workplace Injuries
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WRIST LIGAMENT INJURIES