A hand therapy example: A real pain in the thumb

Applications are now open for a 12-month intensive hand therapy fellowship for occupational therapists wishing to specialize in hand therapy. 

Whether you are gardening, knitting, or spending hours on the computer, your hands probably need some rest. However, when tiredness turns to pain, it may be time to visit a hand therapist. For example, if you feel pain in your thumb joint, it could be carpometacarpal (CMC) arthritis.

Popularly known as thumb arthritis, it is more common in women than in men and can make even doing simple tasks such as putting on socks extremely painful. 

“People might have varying stages of pain in their thumb. It could be a cramping pain, sharp joint pain, or pain where basic daily activities like making beds or cooking might seem daunting,” says Ranee Munaim, MS, OTR/L, CHT, an acting assistant teaching professor in the division of occupational therapy who also continues to work clinically as an occupational therapist and certified hand therapist at Harborview Medical Center. 

Hand therapy is the science of rehabilitation of the upper limb for function and activity. Using specialized skills in assessment, planning and treatment, hand therapists provide the treatment to prevent dysfunction and restore function to improve hand function and allow an individual to participate fully in life situations.

“It is a misconception that arthritic pain goes away completely.  It does not, however, the pain can be managed and considerably reduced,” adds Munaim. 

In hand therapy, it is imperative to learn how anatomy relates to hand function, especially in this digital era when we all spend so much time typing on our devices. 

“The more we understand the patterns of people in their function and daily activities, the more solutions will arise from a hand therapy perspective, especially in helping people reintegrate [with their daily lives] while providing solutions in the future,” said Andre Johnson, an Occupational Therapist – current Hand Therapy Fellow. 

A hand therapist can help a person with thumb pain in many ways. They can teach joint protection and pain management strategies, provide custom splinting or recommend the best prefabricated splint, and train in exercises to gain motion or strength.

“In occupational therapy, we understand a person’s occupation and how often they use their hands to finish their work. This way, we can teach them ways to protect their thumb or how to redistribute stress from the base of their thumb,” added Munaim. 

The hand therapy fellowship offered by the University of Washington Division of Occupational Therapy and Harborview Medical Center Hand Therapy Clinic provides the opportunity for aspirants seeking a comprehensive, mentored learning environment with the opportunity to carry your own caseload and treat a wide variety of upper extremity ailments. 

“With mentorship opportunities as well as learning in a professional setting daily, hand therapy is a rewarding career path that will provide me with the skills and knowledge to help and treat people early on in their diagnosis,” said Johnson on his decision to join the Hand Therapy Fellowship program. 

Applications are now open for the 2025-26 cycle of the hand therapy fellowship. For full details, visit our webpage. Please email Ranee Munaim at rmunaim@uw.edu with any questions.