Arthritis and Hand Therapy: How to Manage Pain and Improve Function

Living with arthritis in your hands can turn simple everyday tasks into daily challenges. Whether it’s opening a jar, gripping a steering wheel, or typing an email, joint pain and stiffness can interfere with the things that matter most.

At Hands for Living, we understand the frustration that comes with arthritis-related hand pain. While there’s no cure for arthritis, the right therapy can help you manage symptoms, protect your joints, and regain control of your routine.

What Is Arthritis—and How Does It Affect the Hands?

Arthritis is a general term for joint inflammation. In the hands, it commonly shows up as:

• Osteoarthritis (OA) – often called “wear-and-tear” arthritis, where cartilage wears down over time
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) – an autoimmune condition that causes chronic joint inflammation and may lead to joint damage

Both types can affect the fingers, thumbs, and wrists, often leading to pain, stiffness, reduced grip strength, and changes in joint shape.

How Hand Therapy Helps with Arthritis

Hand therapy offers tailored strategies to reduce pain, improve movement, and make daily activities more manageable. At Hands for Living, we focus on practical, research-backed approaches designed around your needs and goals.

Movement and Strengthening

Targeted therapeutic exercises keep joints flexible and muscles strong. We start with gentle range-of-motion exercises to reduce stiffness, then build strength around the joints to support daily movement without overloading inflamed areas.

Hands-On Manual Therapy

Manual techniques like joint mobilisation or soft tissue massage can ease tension, increase circulation, and improve how your joints move. These treatments are often used alongside exercises to reduce discomfort and restore mobility.

Supportive Devices and Ergonomic Tools

Sometimes, a small change makes a big difference. We may suggest:

• Special grips or adapted tools for easier handling
• Custom splints to protect and support painful joints
• Assistive devices to reduce pressure during common tasks

The goal is to help you do more—with less pain.

Joint Protection Education

We help you learn how to use your hands in ways that preserve joint health. This might include:

• Using larger joints (like the elbow or shoulder) to do heavier tasks
• Avoiding prolonged tight grips
• Pacing your activities to prevent flare-ups

By changing how you approach certain tasks, you can reduce daily strain and protect your hands over time.

Pain Management Strategies

Depending on your symptoms, we may use:

• Heat therapy to ease stiffness
• Cold therapy to reduce swelling
• Ultrasound therapy to target deeper tissues

We also teach self-care techniques so you can manage pain more effectively between therapy sessions.

Why Early Support Matters

Arthritis is progressive, but timely therapy can slow the impact it has on your independence. Early support helps maintain mobility, reduce inflammation, and prevent secondary complications like overuse injuries in other parts of the arm.

You Don’t Have to Face Arthritis Alone

At Hands for Living, we partner with you to create a plan that works for your hands and your life. Whether your arthritis is newly diagnosed or something you’ve managed for years, we can help you find relief and regain confidence in your movement.