Frequently Asked
Questions

Most patients self-refer and no referral letter is required. Referrals are also welcomed from healthcare professionals, including Consultant Surgeons, Physiotherapists and Case Managers across Northern Ireland and the UK.

Appointments can be booked online via the appointments page, with no pre-payment required. Alternatively, appointments can be arranged by contacting the clinic by phone or email.

Client treatment and medico-legal appointments are held at 34 Shore Road, Holywood BT18 9HX. Daytime, evening and weekend appointments are available.

Please share - or provide in advance - any relevant imaging such as X-rays, CT, MRI or ultrasound scans. Also kindly share insurance authorisation details (if applicable) and bring any splints or supports currently in use.

Initial consultations typically last approximately 60 minutes. Complex cases may require up to 90 minutes, by arrangement. Follow-up treatment sessions usually last 45 minutes.

Appointments are typically available within a few days. If urgent or an emergency contact the clinic by phone and we will accommodate you where possible. Evening and weekend appointments are available for those who may have to travel long distances. To check availability and book, visit the appointments page.

Yes. Free parking is available directly outside the clinic at 34 Shore Road, Holywood BT18 9HX.

Yes. Virtual Hand Therapy appointments are available for appropriate presentations, including follow-up consultations, exercise progression and advice. Virtual appointments are particularly useful for clients who have difficulty travelling and live at a distance such as those in the UK or are International based. Full details are available on the virtual Hand Therapy page.

Yes. Home visits are available for clients who are unable to attend the clinic in person. Home visits are particularly suitable for clients with mobility restrictions. Please contact the clinic to discuss suitability and availability.

This depends entirely on the nature and complexity of the condition. Some presentations can be resolved in two to three sessions. Others, particularly complex trauma or post-surgical cases, may require a longer course of treatment. Ms Razo will discuss a realistic treatment plan and expected timeline at the initial consultation.

Initial consultations and treatment sessions are £86 and last approximately 60 minutes. Follow-up appointments are £66 and last approximately 45 minutes. Appointments have been priced to be as inclusive as possible, ensuring specialist Hand Therapy is accessible. Full pricing details including virtual and home visit fees are available on the fee schedule page.

No pre-payment is required to secure an appointment. Payment is taken at the end of your appointment. Full pricing details are available on the fee schedule page.

Ms Razo is registered with BUPA and H3. Coverage from other insurers may vary. Clients should check directly with their provider to confirm whether Occupational Therapy or treatment with Ms Razo is covered under their policy. The clinic can provide invoices and reports to support insurance claims where required.

The Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) is an internationally recognised credential and benchmark for excellence in hand and upper limb rehabilitation. To attain it, a therapist must have a minimum of five years clinical experience, at least 4,000 hours of direct hand therapy practice and pass a rigorous independent examination. Ms Razo is currently Belfast's only Certified Hand Therapist. Find out more about what the CHT qualification means for your care on the patient guide page.

These are two distinct but complementary markers of advanced specialist hand therapy practice. A Consultant Hand Therapist is a role title reflecting the highest level of clinical practice within the profession, denoting an extended scope practitioner who works autonomously and manages complex cases independently. A Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) is an internationally recognised credential awarded by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission. Ms Razo holds both distinctions, she is a Consultant Hand Therapist and Belfast's only Certified Hand Therapist. Combining the highest level of clinical practice with independently verified international credentialing.

Hand therapists are specialist practitioners, either Occupational Therapists or Physiotherapists, who have undertaken training and work specifically in the assessment and rehabilitation of hand and upper limb conditions. A Certified Hand Therapist has additionally met the highest international credentialing standard in the field. General physiotherapists typically have a broader scope of practice.

The Hand Therapist is Northern Ireland's only fully independent advanced practice Hand Therapy clinic, led by Belfast's only Certified Hand Therapist. Specialising in the full spectrum of hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder conditions. From everyday presentations to the most complex cases. Clinical experience spans Plastics, Orthopaedics, Neurology and Rheumatology, all under one roof. Ms Razo holds no other institutional ties and does not work in any other public or private hospital, ensuring undivided focus on delivering the best possible outcome for every client.

Yes. The Hand Therapist treats the full spectrum of hand, wrist and upper limb conditions. From everyday presentations such as trigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome and de Quervain's tenosynovitis, to complex trauma, post-surgical rehabilitation and chronic conditions that have not responded to previous treatment.

Yes. Ms Razo has extensive clinical experience across Plastic Surgery, Orthopaedics, Neurology and Rheumatology. She also holds additional expertise in Advanced Wound Care and Pain Management. This breadth of experience across all four specialities under one roof is unique in private Hand Therapy in Northern Ireland.

Yes. Ms Razo has taught clinical teams in the UK, Northern Ireland, United States and across the Middle East. She has also co-authored a research article published by a cohort from Northern Ireland's Regional Plastic Surgery unit.

Ms Razo treats the full spectrum of hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder conditions. From everyday presentations to complex trauma and post-surgical rehabilitation. This includes carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, TFCC injuries, de Quervain's tenosynovitis and persistent wrist pain. Elbow conditions include tennis elbow, golfer's elbow and cubital tunnel syndrome. Shoulder presentations include frozen shoulder and rotator cuff tendinopathy. Ms Razo also treats fractures, flexor and extensor tendon injuries, nerve entrapments and complex trauma. A full list of conditions is available on the conditions page.

The initial consultation lasts approximately 60 minutes. It includes a detailed clinical history, a thorough assessment of the affected area and a discussion of the findings, likely diagnosis and recommended treatment plan. Treatment is included in the initial consultation. Ms Razo will explain the findings clearly and answer any questions before agreeing a plan.

No scan or X-ray is required before attending. Ms Razo will conduct a thorough clinical assessment at the initial consultation. If further imaging is clinically indicated, referrals can be made to local private scan centres, often with appointments available within 24 to 48 hours. It is helpful to bring any existing imaging to the appointment if available.

Yes. Post-surgical rehabilitation is one of the most important stages of recovery following hand, wrist, elbow or shoulder surgery. Early and specialist Hand Therapy input significantly improves outcomes in terms of range of movement, grip strength and return to function.

Yes. Many clients come to Ms Michelle Razo at The Hand Therapist having already undergone treatment elsewhere. Specialist assessment often identifies the precise underlying cause that previous treatment did not fully address. Where multiple conditions are present simultaneously, accurate differential diagnosis is essential before any further treatment decisions are made.

Yes. Custom splinting and orthotic fabrication is available at the clinic where clinically indicated. Splints may be required for a range of conditions including fractures, tendon injuries, nerve conditions and post-surgical rehabilitation. Ms Razo will assess and fabricate splints as part of the treatment plan where appropriate.

No. Ms Michelle Razo has chosen to specialise in advanced differential diagnosis and hands-on treatment. Her focus is on identifying precisely what is causing the problem and treating it directly. This is particularly important where multiple structures are involved or where a presentation spans several conditions, as is often the case with repetitive strain and overuse injuries. In the rare cases where an injection is genuinely clinically indicated following thorough assessment, Ms Razo can refer for ultrasound guided injection with a Consultant at a local private facility, which is often more affordable than many patients expect.

Yes. Ms Razo provides independent medico-legal reports and expert opinion for hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder conditions. Her expert witness services are for solicitors, insurers and case managers across Northern Ireland and the UK. Ms Michelle Razo has attained the Cardiff University Bond Solon Expert Witness certificate. Reports are prepared to the standard required by the courts and comply with the relevant Civil Procedure Rules.

Yes. Clinical reports can be provided to support insurance claims where required. Please contact the clinic directly to discuss your specific requirements. Details of medico-legal and reporting services are available on the medico-legal page.

Expert Witness instructions can be made directly by contacting the clinic. Ms Razo accepts instructions from both claimant and defendant solicitors. Full details are available on the medico-legal page.