The importance of hand therapy in today’s healthcare environment cannot be overstated. As advances in surgical techniques and medicine have fostered greater understanding of the upper extremity, the need for specialized therapists to treat these injuries has become evident.  A hand therapist is an occupational therapist or physical therapist who through advanced study, specializes in rehabilitating patients with conditions affecting the hands and upper quarter.

A hand therapist works with patients who may have been affected by an accident or trauma leaving them with wounds, scars, burns, injured tendons or nerves, fractures, or even amputation of the fingers, hands or arms.

A hand therapist also treats patients who are disabled from the affects of repetitive motion disorders – such as tennis elbow or carpal tunnel syndrome.  Many patients seeking the care of a hand therapist also suffer from such things as arthritis or a neurological condition.

Hand therapists’ clinical expertise provides quick identification and rehabilitation of complex problems to the upper extremity, including neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand.  The end result of accurate assessments and treatment made by specialized hand therapists equals a shorter treatment time.  This translates into medical cost containment and also results in faster recovery – which returns patients to a productive lifestyle.

Patients may be referred for hand therapy following a variety of medical or surgical interventions. Treatment is individualized after comprehensive evaluation and implemented by a licensed Occupational Therapist or Certified Hand Therapist specializing in hand therapy.  Therapeutic intervention may include a variety of techniques and tools but is not limited to:

• Adaptive/assistive devices
• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) training
• Behavior Management/cognitive therapy
• Compressive therapy
• Desensitization
• Electrical modalities
• Exercise
• Manual therapy
• Patient and family education
• Sensory re-education
• Splinting
• Standardized and non-standardized assessment tools
• Strengthening
• Thermal modalities
• Work conditioning / ergonomic modification
• Wound care/dressings/topical agents

Select Physical Therapy’s  therapists offer “hands-on” manual treatment while emphasizing patient education.  Therefore, patients gain a significant understanding of their specific problem and appropriate goals so that they may responsibly and effectively integrate a home program in the recovery process.