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Hand, Wrist & Elbow Service Page

Your hands, wrists, and elbows are involved in almost everything you do—turning a doorknob, picking up a child, typing at a keyboard, gripping a steering wheel, swinging a golf club. When pain or injury affects these areas, even simple tasks can feel frustrating, exhausting, or impossible.

At Cawley Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation, our hand, wrist, and elbow services are designed to help you reclaim comfortable, confident use of your upper extremities. Whether your symptoms came on gradually from overuse or appeared suddenly after an injury or surgery, our goal is to figure out what is going wrong and guide you back to the activities that matter most.

If pain, weakness, or stiffness in your hand, wrist, or elbow is starting to change how you live your life, it may be time to have a specialist take a closer look. You can take that first step by Contacting Us today to request an appointment.

Hand, Wrist & Elbow Pain: Why It Matters

We tend to notice pain in the hand, wrist, or elbow much more than in many other parts of the body because these joints are constantly in motion. You use them to:

When pain limits these tasks, it often leads to:

Treating hand, wrist, and elbow issues early can prevent them from turning into long-term limitations. Physical therapy focuses on the root causes, not just the symptoms, which means addressing joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and movement patterns as a connected system.

Conditions We Treat

Our therapists see a wide range of hand, wrist, and elbow concerns, including but not limited to:

You do not have to know your exact diagnosis before you arrive. Our evaluation process is designed to uncover what structures are involved and how they are affecting your daily function.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

Many people feel nervous before their first therapy appointment, especially if they have never seen a hand or upper-extremity specialist before. Knowing what to expect helps ease that anxiety.

Conversation and History

Your visit begins with a one-on-one conversation. We will ask about:

This information is just as important as any test. It helps us understand the full story behind your symptoms.

Physical Examination

Next, your therapist will perform a hands-on assessment, which may include:

The exam is always done with your comfort in mind and is adjusted to your pain level and healing stage.

Clear Explanation and Plan

Before you leave, we will discuss:

You will also receive a simple home program to begin right away, tailored to your current ability and pain level.

Treatment Options for Hand, Wrist & Elbow Problems

Treatment is always individualized, but common components include:

Manual Therapy

Hands-on techniques can:

This may involve gentle joint mobilizations, soft-tissue work, passive stretching, or scar management after surgery.

Therapeutic Exercises

Exercise is at the heart of long-term improvement. We typically include:

Programs are built to challenge you safely, without aggravating symptoms or overloading healing tissues.

Neuromuscular and Coordination Training

Fine motor control is essential for tasks like buttoning, writing, using tools, or keyboarding. We may use:

The goal is to not only reduce pain but also improve the way you control and coordinate your movements.

Modalities and Pain Management Strategies

Depending on your needs, treatment may also include:

We emphasize building self-management skills so that you feel more in control of your symptoms rather than at their mercy.

Post-Surgical Hand, Wrist & Elbow Rehabilitation

If you have had surgery on your hand, wrist, or elbow, physical therapy is often a critical part of your recovery. Common post-surgical cases we see include:

Post-surgical rehab focuses on:

We communicate with your surgeon as needed to align treatment with their protocols and your healing timeline.

Returning to Work, Hobbies, and Sports

The end goal of your care is not just feeling better at rest—it is using your hand, wrist, and elbow comfortably and confidently in real life.

Your therapist will help you:

If your job involves heavy or repetitive tasks, we can talk with you about ergonomics and technique so you can keep working without putting the same stress back on your injured tissues.

Why Choose Cawley Physical Therapy for Hand, Wrist & Elbow Care?

Choosing where to go for care matters. At Cawley Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation, we offer:

We know that pain in your hand, wrist, or elbow can affect your independence, your work, and your favorite activities. Our goal is to provide clear guidance, practical tools, and steady support so you can move forward with confidence.

If you are ready to explore how focused hand, wrist, and elbow physical therapy can help you, visit our Contact Us page to request your free pain assessment and get started.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hand, Wrist & Elbow Physical Therapy Services

1. How do I know if I should see a physical therapist or a hand surgeon first?

If you have had a major trauma, a visible deformity, an open wound, or cannot move your fingers or wrist at all, you should seek immediate medical or surgical evaluation. In those cases, imaging and medical management come first. For gradual onset pain, stiffness, or weakness—such as soreness from typing, gripping tools, or sports—starting with a physical therapist is often appropriate and can be very helpful. We can evaluate your symptoms, screen for red flags, and if anything suggests that a surgical or medical opinion is needed, we will let you know right away. In many cases, conservative care can significantly improve function and comfort without surgery, or help you prepare better if surgery later becomes necessary.

2. Will hand, wrist, or elbow therapy be painful?

It is normal to experience some mild discomfort when you move or strengthen an injured area, especially if it has been stiff or weak for a while. However, physical therapy should not feel like punishment. Our goal is to work at a level that challenges your tissues enough to promote healing and adaptation—but not so hard that your pain flares significantly or lingers for days. During your sessions, we will ask how you are feeling and adjust techniques and exercise intensity based on your feedback. You may feel some soreness after a new exercise or stretch, but this should gradually decrease as your strength and mobility improve. We will also teach you ways to manage soreness at home so that you feel in control of the process.

3. How long does it take to recover from a hand, wrist, or elbow problem with physical therapy?

Recovery timelines depend on many factors, including how long you have had symptoms, whether there was a specific injury or surgery, your general health, and what you need your arm to do in daily life. Some people with mild overuse issues or recent strains feel better within a few weeks of consistent, targeted therapy and home exercises. More complex cases—such as post-surgical rehabilitation, long-standing tendon problems, or multi-joint involvement—may require several months of structured rehab. During your initial visits, we will give you a realistic idea of what to expect and re-evaluate regularly to track progress. Our goal is steady, sustainable improvement rather than a quick fix that does not last.

4. I use my hands all day for work. Will I have to stop working during therapy?

In many cases, you do not have to stop working completely, but you may need to modify certain tasks, at least temporarily. Continuing to perform the exact motions that aggravated the problem in the first place can slow healing or trigger flare-ups. We will work with you to identify which duties are most stressful on your hand, wrist, or elbow and suggest ways to adjust your technique, schedule, or equipment. That might mean adding brief rest breaks, changing how you grip tools, alternating tasks, or using adaptive devices to reduce strain. The goal is to keep you as active and productive as possible while still allowing tissues to heal and get stronger. When needed, we can also communicate with your employer or case manager about appropriate restrictions or accommodations.

5. What can I do at home to support my progress between therapy sessions?

Your home program is a crucial part of your recovery. Between sessions, you can support your progress by performing the exercises and stretches prescribed by your therapist, using good posture and body mechanics during daily tasks, and following any recommendations about activity pacing or rest breaks. Simple changes—such as using two hands to lift heavier items, avoiding prolonged gripping of small objects, or switching hands more often—can make a big difference. You may also be instructed in ways to manage swelling or soreness, such as specific positioning or gentle self-massage. If something in your home program consistently causes a sharp increase in pain or new symptoms, let us know; we can modify it. The more you participate actively in your care, the more quickly and completely you are likely to improve.