Hand Therapy & Occupational Therapy
Restore Strength, Mobility, and Function in Your Hands
Your hands, wrists, and elbows play an essential role in nearly everything you do. When an injury, surgery, pain, or loss of mobility makes everyday activities difficult, specialized hand therapy can help you regain function and get back to the things that matter to you.At Total Physical Therapy, our Occupational Therapy services include specialized evaluation and treatment of hand, wrist, and elbow injuries and conditions. Every treatment plan is individualized around your condition, lifestyle, daily activities, and personal goals.
What Is Hand Therapy?
Hand therapy is a specialized area of rehabilitation focused on improving the function, strength, mobility, and comfort of the hand, wrist, and elbow.
Hand therapy can help individuals recovering from an injury or surgery, as well as those managing chronic or ongoing conditions affecting the upper extremity. Treatment is designed to help patients regain the ability to comfortably perform everyday activities at home, at work, and during the recreational activities they enjoy.
Whether your goal is returning to work, playing a sport, enjoying a favorite hobby, or simply performing everyday tasks with greater comfort and confidence, our approach begins by understanding what you need to get back to doing.
Conditions We Treat with Hand Therapy
Hand, wrist, and elbow conditions can affect strength, range of motion, dexterity, and your ability to perform even simple daily tasks. Our specialized Occupational Therapy and Hand Therapy services can address a wide range of conditions, including:
- Tendonitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Trigger finger
- Arthritis
- Hand and wrist pain
- Stiffness and loss of motion
- Hand and finger fractures
- Wrist fractures
- Tendon injuries
- Elbow injuries and conditions
- Post-surgical hand and upper-extremity conditions
- Pediatric orthopedic conditions
- Brachial plexus injuries
- Other injuries or conditions affecting the hand, wrist, fingers, or elbow
Post-Surgical Hand Therapy
Specialized Care Throughout Your Recovery
Proper rehabilitation can be an important part of recovering from hand, wrist, or elbow surgery. Our hand therapy services include specialized post-surgical treatment designed around the specific procedure, your physician’s protocol, and your individual recovery needs.
Post-surgical hand therapy may include treatment following:
- Flexor tendon injuries and repairs
- Extensor tendon injuries and repairs
- Wrist fractures
- Hand fractures
- Finger fractures
- Nerve releases / repairs
- Hand/wrist joint replacements
- Other hand, wrist, and elbow surgeries
Your program is adjusted as you progress, with the goal of restoring motion, strength, function, and confidence while supporting a safe return to your normal activities.
Our Approach to Hand Therapy
No two hand injuries—and no two patients—are exactly alike. That is why our approach begins with an individualized evaluation of your condition, symptoms, mobility, strength, functional limitations, and goals.
From there, we develop a personalized hand therapy treatment plan that may include:
Mobility & Range-of-Motion Therapy
Targeted exercises and hands-on techniques designed to address stiffness and help restore movement of the hand, wrist, fingers, and elbow.
Strengthening & Functional Training
Progressive exercises focused on rebuilding strength and improving your ability to perform the specific activities that are important to your everyday life, work, or recreation.
Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
Individualized treatment designed to support recovery following hand, wrist, finger, or elbow surgery and help patients safely progress toward their functional goals.
Custom Splinting & Orthoses
When appropriate, our Occupational Therapist can create custom-made splints and orthoses tailored specifically to your injury, anatomy, and treatment needs. Unlike an off-the-shelf brace, a custom orthosis is designed around the individual patient and may be used to protect an injured or healing area, support proper positioning, or assist with the rehabilitation process.
What to Expect from Hand Therapy
Your treatment begins with an evaluation to understand not only your injury or condition, but also how it is affecting your life.
From there, your Occupational Therapist develops a treatment program tailored to your individual needs. As your mobility, strength, and function improve, your treatment can progress with you.
Every patient is different. Our goal isn’t to provide the same routine to everyone—it’s to provide the right care for your condition, your lifestyle, and your goals.
Benefits of Hand Therapy May Include:
- Improved hand, wrist, finger, and elbow mobility
- Increased strength and function
- Reduced stiffness
- Improved ability to perform everyday activities
- Support during post-surgical recovery
- Improved ability to return to work, hobbies, and recreation
- Personalized support throughout your recovery
Get Back to Using Your Hands with Confidence
Pain, weakness, stiffness, or an injury to your hand, wrist, or elbow can interfere with everything from getting dressed and preparing a meal to working, exercising, and enjoying your favorite activities.
At Total Physical Therapy, our specialized Hand Therapy and Occupational Therapy services are focused on helping you restore function and return to the activities that are important to you.
Schedule Your Hand Therapy Evaluation Today
Every recovery starts with understanding your individual needs. Contact Total Physical Therapy to schedule an evaluation and learn how our personalized hand therapy services can help you work toward your goals.
Meet Tara DeRosa
Tara DeRosa is an Occupational Therapist specializing in the evaluation and treatment of hand, wrist, and elbow conditions. She provides individualized care focused on restoring function, improving mobility, and helping patients return to the activities that matter most to them.