The Hand to Shoulder Solution

Carl Petitto

Your new resource for hand, shoulder, and elbow pain. Together, we are giving pain the middle finger and gaining knowledge to live a better, pain-free life!Discover what might be causing pain in your fingers, pain in your hand, pain in your wrist, pain in your arm, pain in your elbow, pain in your shoulder.  Learn about your body, arthritis, tendinitis, tennis elbow, fractures, golfer's elbow, and carpal tunnel syndrome.Hosted by Carl Petitto, OT, CHT, and Certified Hand Therapist specializing in orthopedic conditions of the hand to shoulder. Also an expert in fabricating custom orthotics. 

  1. Sep 25

    Stop Rotator Cuff Pain Fast

    Shoulder pain has a way of sneaking into everything, lifting, driving, workouts, even grabbing a bag from the back seat. We get practical about why that happens by zooming in on the rotator cuff: four small muscles that have to keep the ball of your shoulder centered on a very shallow socket. When those tendons get strained or torn, the mechanics change fast, and that is when pinching, sharp outside-shoulder pain, and frustrating weakness can show up. We share two quick, at-home screens you can try to better understand your symptoms, including the classic “empty can” position that often lights up supraspinatus pain. Just as important, we’re clear about the limits: shoulder impingement, rotator cuff tear, and arthritis-related changes can look similar, so an orthopedic exam and imaging often make the difference between guessing and actually fixing the cause. From there, we move into what to do right now: what movements to avoid when the shoulder is irritated, a surprisingly effective targeted ice approach for point tenderness, and shoulder-friendly band work that builds scapular control and takes pressure off the sensitive space where tendons can get compressed. We also talk strength training choices, why the Arnold press tends to be a safer pattern for many people, and why cleans can put your shoulder into a high-risk “empty can” angle. We finish with simple prevention you can use today, especially the common rotator cuff tear moment: reaching behind the car seat for something heavy. If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with someone dealing with shoulder pain, and leave a review so more people can find smarter rotator cuff rehab and shoulder strengthening guidance. Support the show Work with Carl! Check out the website - www.carlpetitto.com SUPPORT THE SHOW HERE: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/BM23TS2LDQVFS Hello and welcome to the show, The Hand to Shoulder Solution, with me, Carl Petitto.  If you are experiencing pain in your arms and hands, this is your resource.  Subscribe, listen, and share to help us 'give pain the middle finger for good'!  This is a resource to help you mitigate pain at home and become more educated on what to ask your doctors and therapists. No medical advice will be given, and you should always see your medical professional for any questions.  Thank you, and welcome to the show!

  2. Sep 18

    Why A “Small” Finger Injury Can Escalate

    We share quick, practical ways to tell when a wrist or finger injury is likely broken, and why guessing can cost you time and function. We also explain what drooping fingertips, misshapen joints, and sharp bone tenderness can mean, plus when to get an X-ray and hand therapy.  • common ways the distal radius breaks after a fall on an outstretched hand  • signs of a fracture including focal bone tenderness and a visible or palpable step-off  • jammed finger mechanics that can cause an avulsion fracture and drooping fingertip (mallet finger)  • how a clamshell orthosis supports healing and why strict splint discipline matters  • when a hand surgeon may use a K-wire pin and how weaning works after healing  • why finger dislocations and deformities still need evaluation even after relocation  • percussion test basics as a clue for possible finger fracture  Check it out, carlpetitto.com Support the show Work with Carl! Check out the website - www.carlpetitto.com SUPPORT THE SHOW HERE: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/BM23TS2LDQVFS Hello and welcome to the show, The Hand to Shoulder Solution, with me, Carl Petitto.  If you are experiencing pain in your arms and hands, this is your resource.  Subscribe, listen, and share to help us 'give pain the middle finger for good'!  This is a resource to help you mitigate pain at home and become more educated on what to ask your doctors and therapists. No medical advice will be given, and you should always see your medical professional for any questions.  Thank you, and welcome to the show!

  3. Aug 28

    Simple Forearm, Wrist, And Hand Stretches That Actually Work

    We walk through practical, therapist-tested stretches for forearm, wrist, thumb, and finger stiffness so you can regain motion without inflaming your joints. We also explain why stretching should feel like a controlled pull, not pain, and how a short routine with rest beats constant stretching.  • common causes of stiffness including arthritis, surgery, and old injuries  • why the wrist and forearm are mechanically complex and need specific positioning  • building a simple home program that takes about five minutes  • forearm palm up and palm down stretches with a clamp grip and active holds  • wrist flexion and extension technique with fingers open and better hand placement  • ways to modify stretches using a wall, tabletop, or knee for leverage  • thumb flexion toward the base of the little finger and straight-back thumb extension  • making a fist by starting at the big knuckles and working one finger at a time  • finger straightening strategy and why “more stretching” can increase inflammation  Share this with people who might benefit from this.  Thank you for liking and subscribing to the hand to shoulder solution, where we are the solution to your pain. Support the show Work with Carl! Check out the website - www.carlpetitto.com SUPPORT THE SHOW HERE: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/BM23TS2LDQVFS Hello and welcome to the show, The Hand to Shoulder Solution, with me, Carl Petitto.  If you are experiencing pain in your arms and hands, this is your resource.  Subscribe, listen, and share to help us 'give pain the middle finger for good'!  This is a resource to help you mitigate pain at home and become more educated on what to ask your doctors and therapists. No medical advice will be given, and you should always see your medical professional for any questions.  Thank you, and welcome to the show!

  4. Aug 7

    When Elbow Sleeves Help And When They Hurt;

    We break down why elbow sleeves can worsen common elbow pain and even trigger nerve symptoms instead of helping. We explain when compression is a bad idea, what warning signs to watch for, and why a proper assessment beats a quick brace fix.  • common reasons for elbow pain including golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow  • how the ulnar nerve causes the “funny bone” feeling  • cubital tunnel syndrome signs like numbness and tingling on the pinky side  • why compression and rubbing from sleeves can increase inflammation and pain  • daily habits that add pressure on the cubital tunnel such as leaning on tables and car armrests  • why the elbow is complex and deserves a real evaluation when pain is deep or motion-specific  • choosing strength and stability training with a therapist instead of relying on a sleeve  Check me out, CarlPetitto.com. Write in with questions. Support the show Work with Carl! Check out the website - www.carlpetitto.com SUPPORT THE SHOW HERE: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/BM23TS2LDQVFS Hello and welcome to the show, The Hand to Shoulder Solution, with me, Carl Petitto.  If you are experiencing pain in your arms and hands, this is your resource.  Subscribe, listen, and share to help us 'give pain the middle finger for good'!  This is a resource to help you mitigate pain at home and become more educated on what to ask your doctors and therapists. No medical advice will be given, and you should always see your medical professional for any questions.  Thank you, and welcome to the show!

  5. Jul 10

    How Mirror Therapy Rebuilds Hand Control After Immobilization Or Stroke

    Your brain can lose movement clarity faster than most people realize, and that “clumsy” feeling after a cast, a long layoff, or a stroke is not just weakness. We dig into mirror therapy, a simple technique that uses visual feedback to help the motor cortex remember how to coordinate muscles again, sometimes with surprisingly fast results. We share a powerful clinic moment with a stroke survivor who could not make a fist smoothly. After about five minutes working with a mirror, her hand began to open and close with far better control, and the emotional impact hit everyone in the room. From there, we break down what makes mirror therapy work, why you must keep your eyes on the reflection, and how small details like a watch or ring can tip your brain off and weaken the effect. You’ll learn how to build a basic mirror box at home, then follow clear drills for the upper extremity: fist timing, fingertip-to-thumb patterns, thumb to the base of the small finger, wrist motion, and forearm rotation. We also expand beyond hand therapy into shoulder and elbow retraining, using reach patterns and touch cues to rebuild confidence and range. Along the way, we connect it to neuroplasticity, the homunculus, and the idea of a “smudged” movement map that can be sharpened through focused practice. If you want practical stroke rehabilitation ideas, home exercises for hand recovery, or a smarter way to return after immobilization, press play. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs hope, and leave a review so more people can find it. Support the show Work with Carl! Check out the website - www.carlpetitto.com SUPPORT THE SHOW HERE: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/BM23TS2LDQVFS Hello and welcome to the show, The Hand to Shoulder Solution, with me, Carl Petitto.  If you are experiencing pain in your arms and hands, this is your resource.  Subscribe, listen, and share to help us 'give pain the middle finger for good'!  This is a resource to help you mitigate pain at home and become more educated on what to ask your doctors and therapists. No medical advice will be given, and you should always see your medical professional for any questions.  Thank you, and welcome to the show!

About

Your new resource for hand, shoulder, and elbow pain. Together, we are giving pain the middle finger and gaining knowledge to live a better, pain-free life!Discover what might be causing pain in your fingers, pain in your hand, pain in your wrist, pain in your arm, pain in your elbow, pain in your shoulder.  Learn about your body, arthritis, tendinitis, tennis elbow, fractures, golfer's elbow, and carpal tunnel syndrome.Hosted by Carl Petitto, OT, CHT, and Certified Hand Therapist specializing in orthopedic conditions of the hand to shoulder. Also an expert in fabricating custom orthotics.