What is Hand Therapy?
Hand Therapy is a type of rehabilitation performed by an occupational or physical therapist on patients with conditions affecting the hands and upper extremities. Such therapy is performed by a provider with a high degree of specialization that requires continuing education and, often, advanced certification. This enables the hand therapist to work with patients to hasten their return to a productive lifestyle.
Who Does a Hand Therapist Serve?
A hand therapist works with clients having a variety of upper extremity disorders. A hand therapist may serve clients who have been affected by an accident or trauma leaving them with scars, burns, injured tendons or nerves, fractures, or amputations of the finger, hand or arm. Hand therapists also treat clients who are disabled from the effects of repetitive strain injuries (RSI) such as tennis elbow and carpal tunnel syndrome
Who is a Certified Hand Therapist?
A Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) is an occupational therapist or physical therapist who has a minimum of five years of clinical experience, including 4,000 hours or more of direct practice in hand therapy. In addition, the Certified Hand Therapist has successfully passed a comprehensive test of advanced clinical skills and theory in upper quarter rehabilitation. Because of changes in the profession, every CHT is required to demonstrate continued professional development and competency by re-certifying every five years.
Hand Rehabilitation Services Offered at Our Clinic Include:
- Comprehensive initial assessment
- Provision of a individualized treatment plan
- Client education
- Manual hands-on treatment
- Application of physical modalities
- Active and passive mobilization
- Strengthening exercises
- Management of scars
- Management of swelling
- Desensitization
- Home exercise programs
- Initial assessment, progress & discharge reports are sent to treating physicians and funding sources
Conditions Treated at Our Clinic Include:
Traumatic Injuries
- Crush Injuries
- Dislocations
- Fractures
- Tendon/Nerve Injuries
- Sprains and Strains
Post-surgical Conditions
- Amputations
- Carpal Tunnel Release
- Dupuytren’s Release
- Fracture Fixation
- Ganglionectomy
- Joint Replacements and Reconstructions
- Nerve Repairs
- Tendon Repairs
- Tenolysis
- Trigger Finger/Thumb Release
- Wrist Surgery
Repetitive Strain Injuries
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis
- Lateral/ Medial Epicondylitis
- Tendonitis/Tenosynovitis
- Trigger Finger/Thumb
- Arthritis (RA/OA)
Physical Modalities may Include:
- Whirlpool
- Heat Packs
- Paraffin Wax Bath
- Application of Cold
- Ultrasound
- Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
- Sound Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (SASTM)
