Jersey Central

What is a Certified Hand Therapist?

Our hand therapy program is under the direction of a Board Certified Hand Therapist to ensure that we effectively treat each patient referred to us to reduce or eliminate pain, restore mobility, strength, flexibility as well as maximize function for activities of daily living, work, specific sport and recreation.

Our board certified hand therapist is an occupational therapist, who through advanced study passed the Hand Therapy Certification Commission examination. Our certified hand therapist specializes in rehabilitating patients with conditions affecting the hands and upper extremity. Our therapist’s high degree of specialization requires continuing education and most often, advanced certification. This enables our hand therapist to work with patient’s hastening their return to a productive lifestyle.

Who does a Certified Hand Therapist serve?

Our certified 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. Our certified hand therapist also treats patients who are affected by repetitive motion disorders such as tennis elbow or carpal tunnel syndrome. Many patients seeking the care of a hand therapist may suffer from such chronic problems such as arthritis or neurological conditions. Our hand therapist works with the patient, in any situation, to provide a continuum of care. This often starts within days of the injury or surgery until the patient returns to work and/or a productive lifestyle.

What does a Certified Hand Therapist Provide?

Our certified hand therapist can evaluate and identify problems relative to the upper extremities. Our certified hand therapist can effectively treat and rehabilitate the patient through such methods as:

Postoperative Rehabilitation

1. Management of open wounds and surgical incisions (prevention of infection and assistance in healing)
2. Control of hypertrophic (raised and/or swollen) or hypersensitive scars
3. Reduction of swelling 
4. Protect healing tissues

Rehabilitation

1. Management of acute or chronic pain 
2. Desensitization following nerve injury or trauma 
3. Sensory re-education after nerve injury 
4. Design and implementation of exercise programs to increase motion, manual dexterity and/or strength 
5. Splint fabrication for prevention or correction of injury 
6. Evaluate and improve hand and upper extremity function 
7. Training in the performance of daily life skills through adapted methods and equipment 
8. Conditioning prior to returning to work