Patient Spotlights
What is a Certified Hand Therapist?
“Thank you all!” “My therapist was amazing, kind, caring and
compassionate. She was very knowledgeable about my injury and was supportive and patient during treatment. Keep up what you’re doing! Thank you for all your help and knowledge during my difficult time of recovery.” - Christina B.
Certified HandTherapists (CHTs) are occupational therapists or physical therapists who have a minimum of five years of clinical experience, including 4,000 hours or more in direct practice inhandtherapy. JoAnnandLaurieareCertifiedHand Therapists who have successfully passed a comprehensive test of complex clinical skills and theory in upper quarter rehabilitation. Helen is working toward her certification in hand therapy and works closely with Laurie and JoAnn. All of our therapists are required to commit to our continued professional development and competency by recertifying every five years. Hand Therapy is the art and science of rehabilitation of the upper limb, which includes the hand wrist, elbow and shoulder girdle. It is a merging of occupational therapy and physical therapy theory and practice that combines comprehensive knowledge of the structure of the upper limb with function and activity. Using specialized skills in assessment,planningandtreatment,handtherapistsprovide therapeutic interventions to prevent dysfunction restore function and or reverse the progression of pathology of the upper limb in order to enhance an individual’s ability to execute tasks and to participate fully in life situations. The intricateanatomyofthearmandhandfrequentlyrequires verydelicatesurgery,oftenwithmicroscopictechniques. The technical complexityof these kinds of surgeries necessitates a high level of competence bytherapists with advanced skills in upper quarter rehabilitation during postoperative recovery. Ourtherapistsmustbeknowledgeableabouttheseadvanced surgical techniques and postoperative therapy programs to become CHTs. Theymust also remain current with changes in hand therapy practice.
“Kind-hearted!” “My therapist informed me well in the dos and don’ts of healing, was considerate of my pain tolerance and helped me not rush the healing process. My therapist was kind-hearted and truly values her patients and puts their wellbeing first.” - Stefan H.
Made with FlippingBook Annual report