Occupational Therapy and Hands

Our Occupational Therapists (OT) are specially trained to evaluate and treat your specific needs related to injuries of the hand. They assess and coordinate care for impairments related to your hand so you can return to work or recreational activities. Occupation-Based is an OT term that means the treatment approach is based on the client and what they want to be able to do in their daily life -- basically, what is fulfilling and meaningful to the client. So, when an Occupational Therapist evaluates a client for a hand or arm injury, such as a broken finger, OT looks at not only how much strength and motion the client has in their hand, but what the client needs to be able to do with their hand in order to return to work, school or return to their every day activities.

OTs then use a variety of methods to help the client reach their goals. These may include manual stretching, strengthening, modalities like heat and cold applications or custom splinting.

Occupational Therapists can also assist in showing clients how to compensate or how to use adaptive equipment in order to function in their previous roles or until their bodies are able to function again at their previous level.

Diagnoses seen by Occupational Therapists in hand therapy include fractures of the hand/arm, lacerations and amputations, burns, surgical repairs of tendons and nerves, tendonitis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome