After a long day of work, sitting down and turning on a video game is a great way to unwind. If you’re not careful, however, you may glance at the clock and realize that you’ve been playing for hours! While the latest Nintendo Switch release may be hard to put down, playing for too long can result in uncomfortable pain in your hands and fingers. This pain might lead to long-term problems down the road if left untreated, so it’s important to pay attention to the signals that your body is sending you.
Thankfully, you don’t have to put down the controller for good. There are many ways that physical therapy can help to treat finger pain from playing the Nintendo Switch or other video game devices for too long. Physical therapy is a great way to treat the source of hand, wrist and finger pain, rather than relying on painkillers that often come with unwanted side effects.
What are some physical therapy methods that can help with finger pain?
If your fingers feel sore and stiff after playing video games for too long, here are three methods that a physical therapist can use to ease your symptoms:
- Therapeutic exercise — A physical therapist can guide you through exercises that are designed to reduce pain, improve flexibility and restore mobility in your hands. They can also instruct you on exercises that you can do at home.
- Manual therapy — Hands-on therapy is an effective method to relieve pain and loosen up tight muscles in the hand. A therapist may use their own hands to gently manipulate the muscles and joints in your hand. This technique can also help to reduce swelling and improve circulation.
- Ergonomics education — How you hold your Nintendo Switch controller can put you at risk for pain in your fingers and hands. A physical therapist can educate you about ergonomic principles. They can also show you how to apply these principles while you’re holding your controller.
Can Excel Sports & Physical Therapy treat my finger pain from Nintendo Switch overuse?
Our team of experts at Excel Sports & Physical Therapy can help you with your video game-related woes. A free screening at one of our convenient clinics can help us to determine the exact source of your finger pain. From there, we can create a physical therapy plan that is suited to your individual needs.
Don’t let finger pain keep you from your favorite hobbies and activities. Contact our team today for more information on how we can help your finger pain or to schedule an initial appointment.
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