Living an active life often comes with its share of aches and pains. One common complaint is elbow tendinitis, which causes inflammation and discomfort in the tendons around the elbow joint. This pain can significantly impact your daily activities, from gripping objects to simply raising your arm. If you’ve been struggling with elbow tendinitis and traditional treatments haven’t provided relief, you might be curious about a newer option: shockwave therapy. This innovative treatment uses targeted sound waves to promote healing and reduce pain.  Let’s delve deeper into how shockwave therap ..read more

Chronic knee pain can be a debilitating condition, limiting your mobility and impacting your quality of life. While traditional treatments may offer some relief, they often have drawbacks like lengthy recovery periods, potential side effects, or limited effectiveness.  Fortunately, there’s a non-invasive, drug-free alternative that could stimulate your body’s natural healing abilities and provide lasting relief—a cutting-edge solution called shockwave therapy.  Let’s dive into how it works, who can benefit, and why it might be the game-changer your knees need. How does shockwave the ..read more

I was struggling a little about what to write about next. There are just so many options! But then, inspiration can strike in unexpected places. While scrolling through Facebook, I came across a story posted by Rehab Minder about arm wrestling on ABC news in Australia. How easy it is to break an arm? This serves as a friendly reminder about the potential dangers of playful arm wrestling, or even finger wrestling. This guy in Australia broke his arm on national television while arm wrestling on a show.  OUCH?? How crazy is that?? Real-Life Examples from My Practice I’ve even had patie ..read more

Shoulder pain is a frustratingly common ailment.  Whether it’s a nagging ache, a sharp twinge stopping you from reaching for a book or a deep throb disrupting your sleep, shoulder pain disrupts lives.  Traditional treatment options like rest, pain medication, and physical therapy offer relief. However,  some conditions remain stubbornly resistant. So, if you’re searching for an alternative solution, shockwave therapy may be the answer. Learn all about shockwave therapy and how it can bring lasting relief from shoulder pain. What is shockwave therapy? Shockwave therapy, or extra ..read more

“My hands and fingers are so swollen, how do I get the swelling down?”  This is one of the most common question that I get asked from people that have swelling after hand/wrist injuries or surgeries. First, let’s talk about what is swelling in hand? What is swelling in hand? Swelling is the inflammatory process after an injury or surgery.   There are three stages and can be different depending on the nature and degree of injury.  Stage 1: Inflammatory Puffiness The first part is what you initially see, the puffiness, looks like your hand got injected with water. It’s ex ..read more

Chronic pain can be debilitating, interfering with daily activities and overall quality of life. If you’re struggling with persistent pain, you’re likely on the lookout for effective solutions.  Two popular options are shockwave therapy (SWT) and TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation). While both have their place in pain management, they offer different approaches, and one might be better suited to you than the other.  Let’s discuss how they work and why shockwave therapy often delivers the best possible results. Understanding Shockwave Therapy Shockwave therapy is a non ..read more

If you’re someone who loves gardening but getting up and getting down is killing your knees, I’m going to share with you two simple and easy knee pain exercises that can help you get relief  and allow you to enjoy your gardening activities without pain. Hi, I’m Hoang Tran, an occupational therapist on a mission to help you live actively in your bodies without pain. Recently, a friend of mine confided in me about her knee pain while we were visiting her beautiful garden. She loves gardening and was worried it might be arthritis, but I assured her it wasn’t always the case. Just because you ..read more

If you have neck pain that’s only on one side, for example: it’s only on one side when you turn your head, then this guide it’s for you. I’m going to share with you exactly what to do to help alleviate some of that neck pain. My name is Hoang Tran; I’m an occupational therapist and certified hand therapist here at Hands On Therapy Services.  No matter where I go, I always run into people who tell me about their neck pain. Literally, I was visiting with a friend of mine. I met this one woman at the bar; she was around 62, and she told me about her one-sided neck pain. She asked me if I can ..read more

As someone who has experienced a sprain or strain in their fingers, you might be familiar with the urge to overlook the injury, especially if it doesn’t seem as serious as a fracture. I’m Hoang, a certified hand therapist and occupational therapist, and I want to shed light on what happens when you choose to ignore and leave a sprained finger untreated. Just recently, a patient came into my office with a sprained finger. She had sprained not just one, but two fingers while trying to prevent something heavy from falling on her. It’s a common scenario – a sudden twist, a pull on the fingers beyo ..read more

If you’re grappling with Dupuytren’s disease and the rigid nodules in your hand have left you wondering whether massage can provide relief, you’re not alone. As an occupational therapist and certified hand therapist with over two decades of experience, I’ve encountered various forms and stages of Dupuytren’s contractures. Today, I aim to address a common query: Can you massage away Dupuytren’s disease? Can You Massage Away Dupuytren’s Contracture? The straightforward answer is no. Dupuytren’s disease affects the fascial fibers inside your hand, causing them to harden. Once this hardening occur ..read more