Certified Hand Therapist

What is Hand Therapy?

Hand therapy is the art and science of evaluating and treating injuries and conditions of the upper extremity (shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist and hand). Hand therapy uses a number of therapeutic interventions to help return a person to their highest level of function. It evolved from the need for a specialist with the knowledge and experience required to manage the challenging recovery of complex hand and upper extremity injuries.

What Can a Hand Therapist Do for Me?

Hand therapists bridge the gap from medical management of upper extremity conditions to successful recovery, allowing individuals to function normally in their daily lives. Hand therapists provide non-operative interventions, preventative care and post-surgical rehabilitation for a wide variety of upper extremity disorders, from simple fingertip injuries to complex replanted extremities. Patients with chronic conditions, such as arthritis, or neurologic conditions, such as a stroke, can benefit from hand therapy through education on joint protection and energy conservation, and with recommendations for adaptive equipment or devices to improve function.

A variety of techniques and tools, services may include the following:

  • Evaluation (pre- and post-op)
  • Custom Orthotics Splints (custom & prefabricated)
  • Patient/Family Education
  • Written Home Programs
  • Kinetic Taping
  • Thermal and Electrical Modalities
  • Strength & Endurance Training
  • Injury Prevention Programs
  • Scar and Pain Management
  • Edema (Swelling) Control
  • Manual Therapy Desensitization

Diagnosis Treated:

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