Tanya Coats Occupational Therapy

Hand

Are you at risk of “selfie wrist”?

Are you at risk of ‘selfie wrist’? Doctor warns scores more patients have numbness and tingling caused by twisting to get the perfect shot Dr Levi Harrison, an orthopedic surgeon based in San Francisco, says he is seeing a rise in patients developing ‘selfie wrist’ He describes the condition as a form of carpal tunnel …

Are you at risk of “selfie wrist”? Read More »

Safety Tips to Avoid Common Holiday Injuries

Many of us start our holiday preparations by “making a list and checking it twice!” Suddenly, we are overwhelmed by its length. The fact that baking, decorating, shopping, wrapping and travel all come before December 25 can be dismaying. If this describes your current quandary, please continue to read about how you can have a …

Safety Tips to Avoid Common Holiday Injuries Read More »

Broken Hand | Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

So you decided to get into the Christmas spirit and put up some decorations. You got out the ladder, but oops, you fell. Now your hand is swollen and bruised, however, you have full range of movement of your fingers and wrist. What is it? A broken hand is when a break/fracture occurs to one …

Broken Hand | Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Read More »

CMC Osteoarthritis: pain at the base of the thumb

Do you experience pain at the base of your thumb when opening jars, turning keys, writing, etc. Are you worried that you are developing arthritis? Is there a role for hand therapy? What is it? Osteoarthritis at the base of the thumb is a degenerative condition, which may be associated with pain, stiffness, weakness and …

CMC Osteoarthritis: pain at the base of the thumb Read More »

The Peripheral Nerves: A Quick Assessment of Nerve Functioning or “Rock, Paper, Scissors!”

Here is a creative method to assess nerve functioning in the hand and some ideas for orthotic interventions. Using the universally known children’s game of “Rock, Paper, Scissors”, one can assess the nerve functioning of the three peripheral nerves of the upper extremity. 1) Median Nerve: Rock Position Muscles utilized in this position: Pronator Teres, Flexor …

The Peripheral Nerves: A Quick Assessment of Nerve Functioning or “Rock, Paper, Scissors!” Read More »

Controlling Swelling in Your Hands

Do the following activities and exercises to help control swelling in your hand or both hands, depending on where your swelling is. This will help improve the motion of your fingers. Lying down or sitting Whenever you lie down or sit, rest your hand and forearm on a stack of pillows. Keep your hand above …

Controlling Swelling in Your Hands Read More »

What Is Hand Dystonia?

Hand dystonia is a neurological condition that causes involuntary movement or cramps in the hand or arm muscles when performing a task. Let’s take a look at the condition and how it is treated. What Is Hand Dystonia? Hand dystonia, or focal hand dystonia, is also known as writer’s cramp, musician’s cramp or even musician’s …

What Is Hand Dystonia? Read More »

Women with Dupuytren Disease

A traditional Dupuytren narrative is that Dupuytren disease is primarily a painless nuisance problem of bent fingers in old men. This perception does a disservice to many. Not only is Dupuytren common in women, it may also present a unique burden to women. Updating the traditional narrative is central to raising awareness about Dupuytren. Overall, …

Women with Dupuytren Disease Read More »

Which jobs can cause carpal tunnel syndrome?

A light at the end of the carpal tunnel? You may have heard that typing on a computer all day can cause carpal tunnel syndrome, but a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released on Thursday shows there are far more jobs that put workers at risk for the condition.Carpal tunnel …

Which jobs can cause carpal tunnel syndrome? Read More »

How To Prevent Injuries When Playing Tennis

Pain in the wrist, arm and elbow is fairly common amongst tennis players. Tennis is quite strenuous on the arm as a whole, and injury is usually the result of chronic overuse, poor technique or incorrect equipment, however acute injuries also occur from impact or tripping over. If you are experiencing prolonged pain in the wrists, hands …

How To Prevent Injuries When Playing Tennis Read More »