Hand Therapy is the specialist assessment and rehabilitation of injuries and conditions affecting the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder. It covers the entire upper limb from fingertip to shoulder joint and is a well-established clinical specialty delivered by registered Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists with advanced postgraduate training in upper limb conditions.
What does a Hand Therapist do?
A Hand Therapist is a specialist clinician who assesses, diagnoses and treats a broad range of conditions affecting the upper limb. This includes conditions that develop gradually through overuse or degeneration, injuries sustained through trauma or accident and the rehabilitation of patients following hand and upper limb surgery.
Treatment is highly individual. A Hand Therapist will take a full clinical history, carry out a physical examination and devise a treatment programme tailored specifically to your condition, lifestyle, occupation and goals.
What conditions does Hand Therapy treat?
Hand Therapy covers the full spectrum of upper limb conditions:
Acquired conditions include those that develop over time such as carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, Dupuytren’s, arthritis of the hand and wrist, deQuervain’s tenosynovitis, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow and frozen shoulder.
Post-trauma rehabilitation covers recovery following injuries such as fractures of the hand, wrist, elbow or shoulder, tendon injuries, ligament injuries, nerve injuries and dislocations.
Post-surgical rehabilitation includes structured recovery following planned or emergency surgery, including tendon repairs, joint replacements, carpal tunnel decompression, Dupuytren’s releases, fracture fixation and shoulder surgery.
Nerve conditions covers the assessment and treatment of conditions where the nerves of the upper limb are compressed or injured, including carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome and thoracic outlet syndrome.
What treatments does Hand Therapy involve?
Hand Therapists use a wide range of evidence-based treatments, tailored to the individual patient:
- Custom splinting and orthoses: Hand Therapists are specialist splint-makers, able to fabricate bespoke thermoplastic orthoses that support, protect or correct the position of injured structures during healing.
- Therapeutic activity & exercise: targeted programmes to restore strength, flexibility and coordination, progressed carefully as healing allows.
- Manual therapy: hands-on mobilisation of stiff joints, soft tissue techniques and scar management to restore movement and reduce pain.
- Oedema management: compression garments, elevation techniques and massage to reduce swelling following injury or surgery.
- Scar management: specialist techniques including silicone therapy, pressure garments and massage to improve the appearance and flexibility of scars following injury or surgery.
- Sensory re-education: specialist rehabilitation for patients with nerve injuries, helping the brain and hand relearn normal sensation.
- Wound care: management of complex wounds including post-surgical wounds, in collaboration with the wider clinical team.
- Patient education: advice on activity modification, ergonomics, joint protection and self-management to support long-term recovery.
Who is Hand Therapy for?
Hand Therapy is for anyone experiencing pain, stiffness, weakness or functional limitation in their hand, wrist, elbow or shoulder. Whether the problem has developed gradually, followed an injury or arisen after surgery, a Hand Therapist can help.
You do not need a GP or consultant referral to access private Hand Therapy. Ms Razo accepts self-referrals, meaning you can book directly without a referral letter.
What is a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)?
The Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential is the highest specialist qualification in Hand Therapy, awarded by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC) in the United States. To achieve CHT status, a therapist must hold a degree in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy, complete a minimum of 4,000 hours of clinical practice in Hand Therapy and pass a rigorous examination testing specialist knowledge across the full range of upper limb conditions.
Fewer than 6,000 practitioners worldwide hold the CHT credential. Ms Razo is Belfast’s only Certified Hand Therapist and one of only a handful in the United Kingdom.
Why choose private Hand Therapy?
Private Hand Therapy offers a number of advantages over NHS provision, particularly for patients who need prompt assessment and treatment:
- No waiting lists: appointments are available promptly, without the delays common in NHS Hand Therapy services.
- Extended appointment times: private appointments allow time for thorough assessment and treatment rather than the brief appointments typical of NHS outpatient clinics.
- Continuity of care: you see the same specialist therapist at every appointment, allowing for a consistent therapeutic relationship and continuity of treatment.
- Specialist expertise: access to a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) with the highest level of specialist qualification in the field.
If you have a problem with your hand, wrist, elbow or shoulder and would like to find out whether hand therapy can help, get in touch to discuss your condition.