Hand Therapy

Hand Therapy is rehabilitation performed on patients with complex conditions, injuries and surgeries affecting the hands, wrists and elbows. This type of therapy is performed by a therapist with advanced specialization that requires continuing education and advanced certification. This professional is known as a Certified Hand Therapist, known by the CHT after his/her name.

Who needs hand therapy?

The hand is a complicated structure. Therefore, hand injuries can be challenging to treat. Patients who have been operated on by a hand surgeon usually require treatment from a hand therapist. Injuries to tendons, nerves, fractures of the bones of the hand, amputations of the fingers, hands or arms, burns, scars and overuse injuries may need treatment from a hand therapist. Hand therapists make custom splints to aid in the healing process.

What does hand therapy provide?

Preventative, non-operative or conservative treatment:

• Management of pain, both acute and chronic
• Desensitization following nerve injury or trauma
• Sensory re-education after nerve injury
• Design and implementation of home exercise programs to increase motion, dexterity, and/or strength
• Splint fabrication for prevention or correction of injury 
• Training in the performance of daily life skills through adapted methods and equipment
• Conditioning prior to returning to work