Services

Hand & Upper Extremity Rehabilitation

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.

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 three years of clinical experience, including 4,000 hours or more in 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 recertifying every five years.

Hand Rehabilitation Services

Comprehensive initial evaluation

Provision of an individualized treatment plan

Client education

Manual hands-on treatment

Active and passive range of motion exercises

Strengthening exercises

Management of scars

Management of swelling

Desensitization

Dry needling

Home exercise programs

Provision of custom or prefabricated splints/braces

Application of physical & electrophysical modalities:

  • Whirlpool
  • Heat Packs
  • Paraffin Wax Bath
  • Application of Cold
  • Ultrasound
  • Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)
  • Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
  • Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
  • Pulsed Radiofrequency (Stimpod 460)
  • Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
  • Radial Shockwave Therapy

Conditions Treated

Traumatic Injuries


  • Crush Injuries
  • Dislocations
  • Fractures
  • Tendon/Nerve Injuries
  • Sprains and Strains

RSI & Systemic Conditions


  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • deQuervain’s Tenosynovitis
  • Lateral/ Medial Epicondylitis
  • Tendonitis/Tenosynovitis
  • Trigger Finger/Thumb
  • Arthritis (RA/OA)

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

Splinting and Bracing

Individually, or as a component of a hand therapy treatment program, splints can be essential in assisting hand and upper extremity injured clients make a successful recovery. Splints may be used to protect healing structures, prevent deformity or to help stretch or strengthen injured structures. Splints may be custom fabricated or may be prefabricated. Custom splints are made with low temperature thermoplastic and are fabricated on site. Most extended health care insurance plans cover the fabrication and/or provision of splints.