hand therapy.
Hand Therapy at StarPro
StarPro’s hand therapy specialists are experts in treating injuries and conditions of the upper extremity including the shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand. We work closely with physicians and patients to provide a continuum of care, starting within days of injury or surgery and continuing until you can return to work and get back to the activities you love.
Whether your primary concerns are pain, weakness or lack of mobility, our hand therapists can help reduce pain and restore function to the highest potential.
What is a Hand Therapist
A hand therapist is an occupational therapist (OT) or physical therapist (PT) who has advanced education and experience in treating conditions that affect the upper limb including the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. Hand therapy is a merging of occupational therapy and physical therapy theory and practice that combines comprehensive knowledge of the structure of the upper limb with therapeutic interventions to restore function and activity.
A Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) has the academic background of a PT or OT with an important distinction that includes being a licensed PT or OT for 3 years, plus 4,000 hours of hand and upper extremity therapy practice and have passed a certification examination demonstrating knowledge of all areas of hand and upper extremity therapy.
Conditions Hand Therapists Treat
Hand therapists can effectively treat the following conditions related to the upper extremities.
- Tendonitis
- Tendon injuries
- Arthritis and rheumatic diseases
- Dupuytren’s disease (one or more fingers become bent)
- Amputations
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Dislocations and fractures
- Sprains/strains
- Crush injuries
- Cysts and tumors
Take the First Step to a Stronger Healthier You.
Your road to recovery starts now and we are happy to be with you every step of the way. To request an appointment, please fill out the form and one of our patient care coordinators will contact you to schedule an appointment at your convenience.
Request an Appointment
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Hand Therapy Treatment Techniques
Hand therapists use a variety of techniques and tools for therapeutic intervention including:
- Adaptive and assistive devices
- Edema (swelling) management
- Ergonomic modification
- Manual therapy
- Neuromuscular and sensory re-education
- Custom and prefabricated orthotics and prosthetics
- Patient education
- Pain management
- Taping
- Therapeutic exercise
- Wound care and scar management
- Custom splints