Try vibration if it is not aversive to the patient. Find desensitization materials that are meaningful to the patient ( Figs. Include the non-involved areas peripheral to the involved areas and treat bilaterally. 10 Perform these interventions proximal to distal. I have seen this simple strategy help patients use the computer again without pain.ĭepending on the patient’s needs, perform desensitization and sensory reeducation based on hand therapy’s traditional body of knowledge in these areas. If this is the case, try paper tape over the nails ( Fig. Some patients report painful fingernails. I have found this to be surprisingly effective on sensory pain. If sensory pain is reported, try applying paper tape over the areas of sensory pain ( Fig. Explore strategies to maximize well-tolerated use of the hand. Cynthia Cooper, in Fundamentals of Hand Therapy (Second Edition), 2014 Desensitization/Sensory ReeducationĮxplain that disuse due to sensory pain or impairment contributes to and reinforces the sensory symptoms.
