Hand Arthritis: How Physiotherapy and MLS Laser Therapy Can Help
Written by: Dr. Richard Domenic Simeoni | Nano Physiotherapy | Hornsby, NSW
Arthritis in the hands can make relatively simple everyday tasks surprisingly difficult.
Opening a jar, turning a key, gripping a steering wheel, using tools or even holding a coffee cup can become painful when the small joints of the hand are stiff or irritated.
For many people, symptoms develop gradually. You might notice stiffness in the morning, aching after using your hands for longer periods, or reduced grip and pinch strength.
While physiotherapy can't reverse arthritis, there are several ways we can help manage symptoms, maintain movement and keep the hands functioning as well as possible.
At Nano Physiotherapy in Hornsby, we can also incorporate MLS Laser Therapy alongside exercise and traditional physiotherapy where appropriate.
Where Does Arthritis Commonly Affect the Hand?
Osteoarthritis can affect several different joints within the hand.
One particularly common area is the base of the thumb, where the thumb meets the wrist. Because this joint is involved in gripping and pinching, arthritis here can make everyday activities uncomfortable.
Arthritis can also affect the joints through the fingers.
Common symptoms include:
Pain or aching around the affected joints
Morning stiffness
Reduced grip strength
Difficulty pinching between the thumb and fingers
Swelling or tenderness
Reduced movement
Pain after repetitive hand activities
Symptoms can vary considerably from person to person.
Some people have relatively mild stiffness, while others find that hand pain starts interfering with work, hobbies, cooking or household tasks.
Should You Avoid Using an Arthritic Hand?
Usually, no.
When a joint hurts, it is natural to start protecting it and avoiding activities that cause discomfort.
Some temporary modification can certainly be useful, particularly during a flare-up.
However, avoiding movement completely can result in further stiffness and weakness.
The aim is usually to find a balance.
We want to reduce unnecessary irritation while continuing to move the joints and gradually maintain or improve the strength of the hand.
How Can Physiotherapy Help?
Physiotherapy for hand arthritis will depend on which joints are affected and which activities are causing the most difficulty.
Treatment may include gentle mobility exercises designed to maintain joint movement, as well as progressive strengthening for the hand, wrist and forearm.
If grip or pinch strength has reduced, specific exercises can be used to gradually rebuild these movements.
We can also look at the way you're performing aggravating tasks.
Sometimes small changes to how you grip, lift or use equipment can reduce the amount of stress going through a painful joint without requiring you to completely avoid the activity.
For someone who works with their hands, plays an instrument, gardens or regularly uses tools, keeping the rehabilitation relevant to those activities is particularly important.
Managing an Arthritis Flare-Up
Arthritis symptoms don't always remain at the same level. In fact they usually fluctuate regularly.
You may have periods where the hand feels relatively good and others where a particular joint becomes much more painful, swollen or sensitive.
During a flare-up, treatment may initially focus on managing symptoms and maintaining comfortable movement.
As things settle, strengthening can gradually be progressed again.
The goal isn't necessarily to push through significant pain.
It is to keep the hand moving and functioning while finding an appropriate amount of load for the joint at that particular time.
Where Does MLS Laser Therapy Fit In?
At Nano Physiotherapy, we can also use MLS Laser Therapy as part of treatment for painful arthritic joints.
MLS Laser uses specific wavelengths of light directed into the affected area. This approach is often referred to as photobiomodulation.
The treatment is non-invasive and may be used to help manage pain, inflammation and joint sensitivity.
This can be particularly useful in the hands because the affected joints are relatively small and can sometimes be quite sensitive to more forceful treatment.
For someone experiencing a painful flare-up, MLS Laser may help settle symptoms enough to make movement and exercise more comfortable.
However, we don't look at laser as a standalone solution for arthritis.
Where possible, we combine it with exercise, mobility work and practical strategies designed to maintain hand function over the longer term.
Physiotherapy and MLS Laser for Hand Arthritis in Hornsby
At Nano Physiotherapy in Hornsby, we have the ability to combine traditional physiotherapy and exercise rehabilitation with MLS Laser Therapy when appropriate.
That gives us several options depending on how painful or irritable the joints are.
Treatment might include mobility exercises, progressive hand and wrist strengthening, advice around modifying aggravating activities and MLS Laser to help manage pain and sensitivity.
The aim isn't simply to treat the painful joint each time it flares up.
We want to help you maintain movement, strength and confidence using your hands for the activities that are important to you.
If arthritis in your hands or thumbs is starting to interfere with gripping, work, hobbies or everyday activities, a physiotherapy assessment can help establish a practical plan for managing your symptoms.
