conditions

Work and leisure related conditions

Hand therapists are often involved in the complex nature of treating work and leisure related conditions, which are typically painful by nature.

The type of treatment approaches are as follows:

• Pain education and management eg. TENS machine
• Ergonomic advice eg. work station analysis
• Work Pattern advice/task modification eg. typing techniques
• Time and self management techniques eg. regular breaks
• Neck and thoracic exercises
• Activity level monitoring
• Exercise programme eg. strengthening, pilates
• Splinting
• Acupuncture
• Primus RS simulator - which allows close simulation of activities patient needs to perform day to day.

There is a rapidly increasing need for management of Work Related Upper Limb Disorders (WRULD). These overuse type conditions typically have a gradual onset, and have a history associated with a change in work practice and/or increased stress. Symptoms include: tiredness, heaviness, vague aching, aggravation by work, diffuse pain, and feelings of weakness or stiffness and loss of function. This condition is also known as Repetitive strain injury, Cumulative trauma disorder or non specific arm pain.