Winter can be tough on your hands.
Colder temperatures, reduced activity, and dry air can all contribute to stiffness, discomfort, and skin irritation. For people living with arthritis, previous injuries, or hand and wrist conditions, winter can make symptoms feel even more noticeable.
Taking small steps to care for your hands can make a big difference in how they feel and function throughout the season.
As temperatures drop, blood vessels constrict to conserve body heat, reducing circulation to the hands and fingers. This can leave joints feeling stiff, muscles less flexible, and movement more difficult.
Many people also become less active during winter, which can further contribute to joint stiffness and reduced hand mobility.
Wear gloves outdoors and avoid prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Keeping your hands warm can help reduce stiffness and improve comfort.
Gentle hand exercises and regular movement help maintain flexibility and joint lubrication. Even a few minutes of movement throughout the day can help keep your hands functioning well.
Cold weather and indoor heating can dry out the skin. Applying a quality hand cream regularly helps prevent cracking and irritation.
Warm water, heat packs, or a warm shower can help loosen stiff joints and prepare your hands for daily activities.
If you have arthritis or a hand condition, break larger tasks into smaller chunks and take regular breaks to avoid overloading painful joints.
Many people with arthritis notice increased pain and stiffness during the colder months. While winter doesn’t cause arthritis, changes in temperature can make symptoms more noticeable and affect grip strength, dexterity, and overall hand function.
If your hands are becoming increasingly painful, stiff, or difficult to use, early intervention can help prevent symptoms from impacting your daily activities.
Our experienced hand therapists can help by:
Whether you’re noticing winter-related stiffness, struggling with arthritis symptoms, or recovering from an injury, our team can develop a personalised treatment plan to keep your hands moving comfortably throughout the colder months.
Hand pain and stiffness aren’t something you simply have to put up with during winter.
If you’re experiencing pain, reduced movement, weakness, or difficulty with everyday tasks, the team at Melbourne Hand Therapy is here to help.
Stay active, stay warm, and keep your hands healthy this winter.
Book an appointment with Melbourne Hand Therapy to discuss how we can help you maintain comfort, mobility, and independence throughout the season.
The Melbourne Hand Therapy team recently attended an insightful professional development evening hosted by Second Skin, leaders in the design and manufacture of compression garments.
Throughout the evening, we explored Second Skin’s custom dynamic splints and compression garment solutions. These specialised products are used across a range of conditions including cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, stroke, burns, lymphoedema, and traumatic injuries, helping to enhance mobility, improve function, and support optimal rehabilitation outcomes. The team also showcased a variety of products, materials, and fabrication techniques, providing valuable insight into the latest developments.
A sincere thank you to the team at Second Skin for such an informative and engaging evening. We look forward to translating this new knowledge into clinical practice.
We are delighted to welcome Nicole Dai to the Melbourne Hand Therapy team.
Nicole graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in 2021 and brings valuable experience from both public and private healthcare settings. She currently works within Eastern Health’s Hand Therapy service across Box Hill and Maroondah Hospitals, where she treats a broad range of upper limb conditions and post-operative injuries. Prior to hand therapy, Nicole worked as a Paediatric Occupational Therapist, supporting children with handwriting and fine motor skill development.
Nicole is passionate about helping people regain function, confidence and independence following injury or surgery. She enjoys working closely with patients throughout their rehabilitation journey and is committed to providing personalised, evidence-based care tailored to each individual’s goals.
We are excited to have Nicole join our growing team and look forward to the knowledge, enthusiasm and patient-centred approach she brings to Melbourne Hand Therapy.
Please join us in welcoming Nicole to MHT!
This month we are delighted to recognise Emmeline Fooks as Melbourne Hand Therapy’s Staff Member of the Month.
Emmeline is a highly respected member of our team and is often known as our “wrist guru” thanks to her extensive knowledge and passion for treating wrist conditions. She has a genuine enthusiasm for helping patients understand their injuries and guiding them through their recovery journey.
One of the things Emmeline enjoys most about hand therapy is building long-term relationships with her patients. She loves the continuity of daily patient care and finds it incredibly rewarding to see patients progress over time, regain confidence and return to the activities that matter most to them.
Emmeline is known for her thorough clinical approach, attention to detail and commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes. Patients appreciate her warm and approachable nature, while colleagues value her willingness to share knowledge and support the wider team.
Her dedication to both her patients and the profession is evident in everything she does, from staying up to date with current evidence to continually refining her clinical skills. Whether treating complex wrist injuries or supporting patients through rehabilitation, Emmeline consistently delivers exceptional care.
Thank you, Emmeline, for your passion, expertise and ongoing contribution to Melbourne Hand Therapy. We are fortunate to have you as part of the team and congratulate you on being our Staff Member of the Month.
Congratulations to Emmeline Fooks on celebrating 16 years with Melbourne Hand Therapy! Since joining us, Emmeline has been a cornerstone of our practice, sharing her specialist skills in wrist rehabilitation and her passion for educating the next generation of therapists. Thank you for your commitment to excellence, Emmeline!
Have you experienced exceptional care or teamwork from someone at MHT? We’d love to hear about it.
Help us celebrate those who go above and beyond.
