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From texting and typing to holding and carrying, your hands do countless tasks. But when things go wrong, Lauren Arcury, a certified hand therapist at the Health & Wellness Center at Hazleton, is here to help.
Getting back to your life
Arcury is an occupational therapist with advanced training and experience to treat conditions affecting your hands and upper body so you can reach your goal, whether it’s being able to comb your hair again, grip a tennis racket or type on your computer.
“The hands seem so simple, but there’s so much complexity underneath the skin,” Arcury says. “There are so many little tendons, nerves, and bones, and they all work together. If they get injured, I can help restore function so you can return to your normal life as much as possible.” Arcury often manages complex cases, such as tendon repairs and nerve repairs after injury, in order to help a patient regain function.
Expertise to speed healing
“These very delicate surgical repairs require a specific protocol to heal,” Arcury says. She provides therapeutic interventions tailored to meet the unique needs of her patients. She also helps patients learn to do what they can, based on their limitations and restrictions, and to safely exercise at home to ensure achievement of goals.
Because our hands do so much, it’s easy for a patient to become frustrated, especially if a dominant hand is affected. “I spend time talking it out with patients too, reassuring and encouraging them to keep up the good work,” Arcury says.
Carpal tunnel 'deskercises'
If you spend hours at a keyboard, Arcury has three “deskercises” to help prevent nerve damage that can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, a common condition that causes pain, numbness and tingling in the hands and arms:
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Stand up from your computer every half-hour to give your wrists and fingers a rest.
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Do shoulder circles
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Try to touch your ears to your shoulders
Find help for your hands
In addition to the hand therapy program in Hazleton, LVHN Rehabilitation Center–Schuylkill also offers hand therapy. For more information or to make an appointment, call 888-402-LVHN (5846).