A Special Story and A Special Laveen Clinic Patient: Meet Loni!

Meet Loni: An Amazing Girl with an Amazing Case of Hand Therapy Working and Providing Improved Function at Desert Hand and Physical Therapy Laveen   Thanks to the hard work and collaboration of our pediatric therapist, Casey Blaesing, paired with the excellent care provided by Phoenix Childrens Hospital, Laveen clinic patient Loni has thrived and […]

Perspective of a Current DHPT Mentee, Jacob Ayoub

Desert Hand and Physical Therapy Mentorship Program: Perspective of a Current Mentee What is the DHPT mentorship program like for a new grad therapist? As a new grad therapist, the DHPT mentorship program is SO helpful. Mentorship groups are formed by respective levels of experiences. The groups are formed by several factors including when we […]

Mallet Finger Injuries

MALLET FINGER INJURIES: CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT AND PIN CARE STRATEGIES WHAT IS A MALLET FINGER? A mallet finger, or terminal tendon rupture, is an injury of the tip of the finger which causes the DIP (distal intrerphalangeal) joint to droop into flexion. This injury is commonly caused by striking the tip of the finger causing a […]

Spice Up Your Hand Therapy Ideas with Halloween-Themed Exercises

HOW TO MAKE HAND THERAPY FUN IN THE FALL SEASON Occupational and physical therapy at its basis has a plethora of combinations of opportunity for exercise. Some are straight forward, movement based. Some are functional. Some are simulation of activity. The focus of all activities performed in the clinic and adapted at home is to […]

Practice What You Preach: Words of Wisdom from Kristen DiCicco, Hand Therapist

Practice What You Preach: Words of Advice for Daily Hand and Joint Maintenance from a Hand Therapist “Practice What You Preach” I never fully grasped what this quote meant until I started working full time as a hand therapist. When I was going through occupational therapy school, my professors always talked about using our “OT […]

Dry Needling, Perspective from a Certified PT

Dry Needling at Desert Hand and Physical Therapy                                  What is Dry Needling? Dry Needling can be used to treat many different pathologies, including chronic pain, scar management, and increasing soft tissue extensibility. Thin needles are inserted through critical areas […]

Lateral Epicondylitis

Lateral Epicondylitis Conservative Management    WHAT IS LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS? Lateral epicondylitis is a repetitive stress condition in which the extensor wad, most commonly the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB), has increased friction and swelling decreasing glide, general mobility and function of the extensor wrist. Typically, tenderness to palpation is found at the lateral, or outside, […]

How To: Complete an Ironman Race as an OT and CHT

Meet Charlotte: Triathlon Athlete and CHT at Desert Hand and Physical Therapy At Desert Hand and Physical Therapy, we have MANY talented and targeted specialists to care for you needs. Take a look at Charlotte’s Ironman journey below for some inspiration to get out there and try new things! The Ironman Race: The Story Completing […]

Meet The Billing Team Queen, Melinda Washington!

Melinda Washington is the manager of our billing department. She has served our company for 16 years! She is an expert in her field, and we are lucky to have her as an integral part of the Desert Hand and Physical Therapy family! Please see below to learn more about what makes Melinda so great. […]

Fact vs Fiction Outpatient Therapy

FICTION 1: “I don’t need to see a therapist to do therapy” You can absolutely go on “Dr. Google” and find exercises, tips and tricks of our therapy trade, just as you are able to do with any other skill or service. However, gadgets from Amazon, products such as Icy Hot, and chiropractors can only […]

What Made Desarae Johnson, the Des We Know and Love?

Please meet our Gilbert manager, Desarae Johnson MS, OTR/L, CHT! Desarae was in an accident while in college leading her to a career in therapy, a love for creative treatment of traumatic injuries, and a deep connection to her family. See what makes Desarae the Desarae that we all know and love. Please share your […]

Custom Orthoses

Here at Desert Hand and Physical therapy we fabricate and fit custom orthoses (AKA “splints”) for numerous diagnoses. Whether your physician is requesting a custom orthosis to protect an injury (bone fracture, tendon laceration post repair, etc.) or the therapist and physician feel the custom orthosis is necessary for mobilization of a stiff joint, or […]

Mentorship Program for the Infamous CHT Exam

What is all the hype about? The certified hand therapy (CHT) exam can trigger many different responses from candidates and therapists. Arguably one of the most rigorous and challenging credentials to acquire as a PT or OT, it can be a source of stress and can “scare off” many potential candidates. In the defense of […]

Trigger Finger

WHAT IS TRIGGER FINGER? Trigger finger is a painful and frustrating condition in which a finger can get caught, click, or get stuck into a bent or a straight position. The problem is a pulley system in the palm causing the tendon, a rubber-band like structure, the inability to glide in and out of that […]

The Certified Hand Therapist

WHAT IS A CHT? The term “CHT” standard for Certified Hand Therapist. This credential is mis-leading as we are often called “hand therapists” but the certification includes all injuries, diseases, and accidents of the entire upper extremity, from the cervical spine to the fingertips.   WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A CHT? The requirements […]

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

WHAT IS CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME? You may hear the term quite frequently, “carpal tunnel syndrome”. What does this mean exactly? This is a compression or pressure on the median nerve within the bottom portion of the wrist. The nerve has extra pressure added to it from the surrounding tendons or the ligament that spans over [...]

Telehealth Now Available!

Desert Hand & Physical therapy is now providing physical and occupational therapy care! There are now two ways to help patients recover from an injury: In-Person: We are still open and welcoming patients to receive the care they need in our clinic. Click here for more information about the precautions we are taking in the clinics to [...]

What is a Hand Therapist?

Physical therapy is something we may have all heard about, but hand therapy might be an unfamiliar territory.  Although physical therapy and hand therapy are similar, there are some major differences between the two that should be understood.  We use our hands every single day.  Our hands are very important and should be taken care of, […]

Legit Reasons to Get a Therapeutic Massage

Just saying the words ‘therapeutic massage’ may conjure up images of the ultimate relaxation. Candles, calming music and aromatherapy scents wafting through the air while your worries slowly melt away and vanish. But a therapeutic massage is so, so much more than just feeling amazing. It’s a powerful tool that can help you take charge […]

3 Times You Need a Wrist Brace

A wrist brace can do wonders for the health of your hands and wrists. And it’s not just for injuries – a wrist brace can be used to help prevent injury, irritation, or pain during many common activities. Some of these activities include sports, working out, and even work. How can you make a wrist […]

4 Tips for Fast Wrist Pain Relief

Do you dread typing, tying your shoes, twisting a doorknob, or high-fiving someone? You might be suffering from wrist pain! You might not realize how much you use your wrists on any given day until one (or both of them) is injured. It completely stops you in your tracks and keeps you from doing the […]

Relieve Symptoms With a Custom Carpal Tunnel Brace

If you have carpal tunnel syndrome or CTS, then you know it’s no joke. Affecting 1 out of 20 people in America, carpal tunnel syndrome can cause discomfort, pain, and even work lost due to the inability to use your hand or wrist. But you don’t have to suffer in silence – once diagnosed by a doctor, […]

4 Common Causes of Forearm Pain

You use your forearm muscles more than you know. If you have a desk job, typing and texting on your phone and computer all day utilizes muscles and tendons in both your wrist and forearm – a lot. If you have a manual labor job, you probably workout your forearms even more! So how can […]

Here’s Why Desert Hand is the Best Phoenix Physical Therapy Clinic

So here you are. You’ve made it through surgery, or perhaps you’ve finally received a diagnosis from a doctor, and they’re recommending physical therapy, which is great! But where do you even start looking? There are so many clinics out there – how can you know which one is right for you? Here’s our recommendation […]

What Makes Us Stand Out? Custom-Made Splints for Hands

If you are dealing with discomfort in your hand or recovering from surgery, you might need a hand splint. Splints for hands can help with healing because they ensure that your hands and fingers remain in the same position. Similarly to when a bone has broken and you need a cast for the bone to […]

3 Causes of Neck Pain You Might Not Know About

There’s nothing worse than waking up in the morning, lifting your arms for a nice stretch, and then wham! Massive neck pain. It can be a dull ache or it can be so sore that you can’t turn your head. Sometimes neck pain can even evolve into a monstrous headache. Whatever the case, it’s difficult […]

4 Scary Long Term Effects of Poor Posture

Take a peek around you if you’re in an office.  Or take a quick look at yourself.  What do you see?  Everyone hunched and slumped over at their computers.  I bet that made you sit up straight, didn’t it?  When you go out to eat, look at the people sitting down around you.  How is […]

Hand Hurts From Typing? This Could Be the Cause

There are a lot of jobs in the world where risk and danger is imminent. It’s possible that you never thought your desk job would have any potential health risks (aside from eating too many chips out of the vending machine). However, if you sit at your desk typing all day long, there is a […]

Improve Your Mobility With These Range of Motion Exercises

Range of Motion Exercises, or ROM exercises, are important movement patterns designed to regain mobility in a joint such as the shoulder, knee, wrist or fingers. Regularly moving your joints can help reduce pain, keep your joints flexible, and improve strength and balance. These exercises can also be designed for you by a physical or […]

4 Exercises for Golfer’s Elbow You Should Try Today

It may seem odd, but repetitive movement can have long term effects on your elbows. If you suffer from golfer’s elbow you know the pain—that persistent, nagging pain that can put a huge damper on everyday life. Golfer’s elbow is a common overuse injury which generally causes pain at the inner part of the elbow. Ouch! […]

How to Stop Cracking Your Knuckles for Good in 3 Easy Steps

You may hate to admit it, but almost all of us have at least one bad habit. Some of these bad habits can pose some serious health risks.  We all have heard that bad habits are hard to break…until now.  No matter what your bad habit—nail biting, smoking or knuckle cracking—where there is a will […]

Desert Hand Therapy: New Name, More Physical Therapy

You may have recently noticed on the Desert Hand Therapy Facebook and our website that we have a new logo and name. These changes are signifying an exciting expansion of our physical therapy department. Don’t worry though! You’ll still receive the same great hand therapy, compassion, and care at all of our 10 locations valleywide. […]

Here’s Why You Need a Certified Hand Therapist

When you’ve injured your hand or wrist, and you need help, where do you turn? The list can be long and confusing: physical therapy, occupational therapy, hand therapy. Which one do you make an appointment with? Does it matter? Actually, it does. There is a difference between a physical therapist and a certified hand therapist. Choosing […]

3 Common Conditions Treated with Hand Therapy

You’ve probably heard of physical therapy and hand therapy before, but maybe you don’t know what they’re for? Or maybe you think hand therapy is just something for pro-athletes? That it’s nothing more than a good massage? We’re here to set the record straight. Hand therapy is a fantastic healing method that can be used for a […]

Hand Pain? Top 4 Reasons Why

Our hands do so much for us – they help us to cook, pick up our kids, play piano, work, sew, and high-five. So if you’re experiencing hand pain, you might feel like your world has gotten just a little bit smaller. Pain in your hands can make it difficult to do even the most […]

What to Expect After Wrist Surgery

If you are about to have wrist surgery, it can feel daunting. And maybe a little scary. Or maybe you’ve already had the surgery and you’re wondering “what comes next?” Either way, knowing the facts about taking care of yourself pre and post op can help you feel ready for what’s about to come. Here’s […]

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Did you know that carpal tunnel syndrome affects 1 out of 20 people in the United States?  Carpal tunnel syndrome—or CTS—is a common condition of the wrist and hand that can affect the use of the whole arm. It can be painful, and if untreated or severe enough, could require surgery. At Desert Hand Therapy, […]

What Does It Mean If I’m Experiencing Thumb Pain?

Our thumbs make us very unique creatures. They move in a way that none of our other fingers do and give us the ability to grab and hold things.  But what happens when we have thumb pain? What Causes Thumb Pain? There are a variety of factors that could cause thumb pain. One of the more […]

Don’t Ignore Signs of Numbness in Hands

Are you experiencing feelings of numbness in your hands? Do you know what could be causing it? Sometimes symptoms such as tingling, discomfort, or numbness could be a sign that something bigger is going on under the surface. Regardless of the cause, the important thing is to not ignore numbness in hands (or any medical […]

How to Choose a Hand Specialist for Your Needs

If you’ve experienced some kind of hand injury or surgery, or anything of that nature, then you might be in need of a hand specialist. There are a few different medical professionals to be aware of as you start your journey to healing. And it’s important to find the right one for your particular needs! […]

Elbow Pain? Here’s What to Do About It

Elbow pain – it’s annoying, uncomfortable, and unfortunately present in so many daily movements. You go to stretch when you wake up in the morning and you experience that twinge. The pain might even stop you from doing the activities you love, such as playing with kids or grandkids, going golfing, or playing tennis. The […]

What to Expect When Facing Carpal Tunnel Surgery

If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, depending on the severity, your doctor might recommend surgery. Surgery – it’s a scary word and you may not know exactly what it means for you. If you find yourself facing the option of carpal tunnel surgery, here are some things you can expect. What You Need to Know: […]

Wrist Pain: Common Ways to Treat Your Injured Wrist

Did you know that the wrist is not just one joint? Several small joints, where the bones of the forearm and hand meet, make up the wrist. If any one of these joints, bones, ligaments or tendons become injured, it can lead to wrist pain. And this pain can be recurring – wrist injuries are often due to […]

Desert Hand Therapy: Become Our Next Success Story

It’s official – you’ve injured your hand and need to find some relief. Where do you turn? Surgery can be expensive and require long periods of being “out of commission”. You might be in immense pain or unable to perform your usual daily activities. Hand therapy might be your best option. But how do you choose the […]

Tennis Elbow: You Don’t Have to Play Tennis to Get It

It’s safe to say that tennis elbow is not as fun as, well, playing tennis. It is a painful condition that affects the tendons in your elbow and the weirdest thing? You don’t have to be an athlete to experience it. However, if you’re feeling discomfort in your elbow and you’re not sure what’s up, here is […]

Trigger Finger: Here’s What You Can Do About It

Do you think you might be experiencing trigger finger? Are you not sure? Here we break down some facts about what this condition is, its causes, symptoms, and its potential treatments. This condition, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, occurs when inflammation narrows the space in the sheath that surrounds the tendon in the finger. This means that […]

Carpal Tunnel Treatment: Here’s What You Need to Know

  If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, then you know how uncomfortable the symptoms can be and how it can affect your daily life. Carpal tunnel syndrome, or CTS, affects 1 out of 20 people in America. Because it’s such a common condition, there are a variety of options when searching for effective carpal tunnel treatment. […]

Fight Fibromyalgia Symptoms With These 3 Tips

Dealing with the constant, daily pain of fibromyalgia can be rough. So is fatigue and brain fog. While fibromyalgia symptoms are manifested in different ways for different people, most can agree that all symptoms are life-altering. First, what is fibromyalgia? About 450 million people all over the world suffer from fibromyalgia, according to the National Fibromyalgia Association. Even Lady Gaga was […]

7 Hand Stretches to Ease Stiffness

Pain and stiffness in your hands can be annoying. Even if it’s nothing significant, it can be enough to interfere with your daily tasks. With stiff hands, it’s difficult to turn a key, type on the computer or open a jar. You never really realize how many different and necessary things you do with your hands each […]

7 Hand Stretches to Ease Stiffness

Pain and stiffness in your hands can be annoying. Even if it’s nothing significant, it can be enough to interfere with your daily tasks. With stiff hands, it’s difficult to turn a key, type on the computer or open a jar. You never really realize how many different and necessary things you do with your hands each […]

Try This Morning Workout to Jumpstart Your Day

Just the thought of a morning workout can sound like the last thing you want to do. Especially if you’re not an early bird. Do your mornings usually consist of you stumbling around trying to get ready, scrambling to get something made for breakfast with not enough sleep to begin with? There’s no better time […]

3 Reasons Why You Should Eat With Your Hands

It’s time to get your hands dirty and eat with your hands! There are many traditional cultures who eat with their hands and have done so throughout the ages. Now, restaurants across the United States are encouraging patrons to eat with their hands. While this may seem crazy that this is considered a “trend” to […]

DHT Physical Therapy Cancer Related Fatigue Program

The fatigue felt by people with cancer is so common that it has its own name: cancer related fatigue. When it strikes, it is often debilitating and can significantly impact the quality of life. Cancer related fatigue (CRF) isn’t unique to cancer treatment, it can even occur after treatment is complete. It’s a daily lack […]

Sensory Reeducation Exercises After a Nerve Injury

Do your hands feel numb sometimes? Do you have difficulty telling the difference between temperatures like hot or cold using your hands? If you answered yes to these questions, you may have a sensory impairment. A sensory impairment can occur in the nerves in your hand following a stroke or another injury affecting the way your brain […]

Why Your TMJ Could Use Some TLC

TMJ pain can be pretty confusing. When you have pain anywhere in your body, you go to the doctor. If your mouth hurts, you schedule a dentist appointment. But what most people don’t realize is that you can go to physical therapy for both mouth pain and body pain. TMJ (temporomandibular joint disease) is a […]

Healing a Hero: How Desert Hand Therapy Helped Achieve a Dream

We love our Desert Hand Therapy patients and are fortunate to witness their incredible and inspiring outcomes and stories. This month’s story is from Stephanie. She suffered a devastating accident and was told she might never walk again, which would have prevented her from realizing her dream to become a police officer. Here’s Stephanie’s amazing story. I’ve [...]

Ice, Ice Baby – Chronically Cold Hands?

Raise your (icy cold) hands in the air if your fingers are always freezing. Is bad circulation to blame? No matter what the weather is, some of us suffer from chronically cold hands. If your hands feel like they’re always on ice, you’re not alone. Turns out that having eternally cold hands is a pretty […]

Did You Know These Incredible Facts About Our Hands?

How would we manage without our hands? They do so much for us and let’s face it, they’re a fascinating part of our bodies. Today we are going to show our hands some love, give them a round of applause, and talk about some facts about our hands that are sure to surprise you! So […]

The Truth About Trigger Finger

Trigger finger may sound like a made-up term straight out of a western movie, but ask anyone who has experienced the symptoms of trigger finger (also known as stenosing tenosynovitis) and they will tell you just how debilitating and uncomfortable it can be. A locked thumb or finger can be incredibly painful and interfere with […]

What the Heck is Dry Needling?

Dry needling sounds like something horrifying, but don’t be tricked or put off by the title. It’s actually one of the most powerful modalities in treating pain in your muscles. Without further ado, let’s get right to the point about dry needling (see what we did there?) What is Dry Needling? Dry needling alleviates tenderness […]

Edema Management

If you injured your hand, swelling immediately occurs. It’s our body’s reaction to an injury in order to heal. Edema is a completely normal response to injury—edema is a swelling caused by fluid retention. It happens when too much fluid is trapped in the body’s tissues. We retain water because the blood vessels in our […]

4 Weird Ways to Relieve Knee Pain That Really Work

Our knees are pretty amazing. They provide the support for the entire body and allow the legs to bend, straighten and help us run, jump, turn, stand and walk—our knees do a lot. Which is why it may not be so surprising that 1 in 5 of us have knee pain, according to the American Academy […]

Why Hand Hygiene Really Matters

It may sound silly, but hand hygiene is so important. Germs are everywhere. EVERYWHERE. And a quick rinse under the sink isn’t going to cut it. Keeping your hands clean is a great way to prevent infections. Keeping up with your hand hygiene will protect you from serious infections and from spreading anything to others […]

What Your Handwriting Says About Your Personality

Did you know that your handwriting speaks volumes? It’s true! How you write can indicate more than 5,000 personality traits! There’s a whole science behind analyzing handwriting for personality traits called graphology and it’s been around since the days of Aristotle. The size of your letters, the spacing and how your handwriting slants are all factors in determining […]

Control Your Wobble With These 4 Balance Exercises

How’s your balance? Working on your balance doesn’t just make you look more graceful at the gym or when you’re walking in high heels. Balance is an underrated factor of our everyday functioning. Balance keeps you upright, helps prevent injury and allows you to walk without assistance. Many people don’t think about adding balance exercises […]

Ice Vs Heat—What’s Better for Your Pain?

The ice vs heat debate. Your friend told you to always apply heat. The trainer at the gym said to always use both just in case. There’s lots of confusion about this issue and we’re here to help clear it up for you. Let’s jump right in. Ice vs Heat – how do you pick? […]

Custom-Made Splints for You at Desert Hand Therapy

Sometimes we just don’t show our hands enough love – they’re often our most overlooked assets. But an injury can cause a loss in our ability to perform everyday tasks. Imagine trying to button your shirt, pull up a zipper, put on your shoes, open the mail or hold a fork at dinnertime. An upper […]

4 Tips to Dominate Your Next Day Hike

Whether you’re a serious backpacker, a weekend warrior or have never set foot on a hiking trail, there’s something to be said about stepping away from the craziness of life to get back in touch with nature. If you close your eyes, you may picture a day hike as sunlight streaming through the trees and […]

25 Fascinating Facts About Fingernails

When you think about your fingernails, chances are you just think of them as a vehicle for nail polish or something you chew when you’re nervous. Our poor fingernails are typically taken for granted, and we don’t give them much beyond a passing thought. But they’re so much more than just things to be painted […]

Start Going Stronger, Longer With These 6 Endurance Training Tips

Endurance. It’s what keeps you truckin’ and pushing forward without losing steam. And endurance training will help you to boost your endurance levels so you can go longer and be stronger than before. Endurance is your ability to remain active and to exert yourself for extended periods of time. It’s your ability to withstand fatigue […]

Put ‘Er There! The History of the Handshake

It’s how we greet each other.  It’s how we start and end a business meeting.  It’s how we end an argument.  It’s a mutual sign of goodwill and peace.  It can establish a first impression with someone—whether it be good or bad.  It can convey good sportsmanship. What are we talking about? The handshake.   Around […]

Desert Hand & Physical Therapy Saved Me from Surgery

At Desert Hand & Physical Therapy we get to see some incredibly inspiring stuff happen everyday with our patients. Treatment can help many improve or restore mobility and move forward with their lives. This time, we’d like to share a story about our very own Practice Manager, Jeanette Amado. Jeanette was bit by a rattlesnake and […]

How to Annihilate Those Age Spots on Your Hands

Ah age spots. Nothing will give your age away quicker at a first handshake. Those dreaded age spots, also known as liver spots and hyperpigmentation, can make you look older than your years.   Aside from the skin around our eyes, our hands can be our biggest age betrayers. Think about it. Our hands are […]

Pain in the Neck? We’ve Got 7 Fast Fixes for You

We’ve all been there. It’s time to start your day, you hop out of bed and…ouch! That dreaded pain in the neck stops you in your tracks. A knot in any muscle is annoying to say the least, but it’s especially frustrating when the offender is smack dab in your neck. The common phrase pain […]

Uncomfortably Numb: Hand Nerve Pain Causes and Effects

Have you ever had your foot fall asleep? You know that tingling sensation that makes your foot feel as though it’s detached from your body? It’s not a good feeling. Hand nerve pain can be like that. Did you know there are thousands and thousands of nerves in your body? These nerves transmit messages all […]

DHT Physical Therapy Team Member Spotlight: Alicia Austin

The DHT Physical Therapy Team Member Spotlight this month is on Physical Therapist, Alicia Austin.  Read on to learn which song would be the theme song to her life and when she realized she was meant to be a physical therapist. DHT Physical Therapy Team Member Spotlight:  Alicia Austin Position: Physical Therapist, Desert Hand Therapy | […]

How to Tell if You Have Poor Posture

What’s so terrible about having poor posture?  Sure, your slouchy presence may not present the most poised person, but besides that, not standing up straight could create a domino effect on your health. Your posture can say a lot about you—it speaks to your personality and says a lot about how your muscles and joints […]

Range of Motion Exercises and How They Benefit You

You may have heard of range of motion exercises before but what are they really and how do they benefit you? Range of motion exercises are performed to help maintain mobility and flexibility to help improve joint function. Range of motion is how far you are able to move your joints in different directions.  These […]

Sneaky Causes of Thumb Sprain

Our thumbs make us very unique creatures. They move in a way that none of our other fingers do and give us the ability to grab and hold things.  But what happens when we hurt our thumbs, or get a thumb sprain? What is a Thumb Sprain?  A thumb sprain is an injury to the ligaments […]

How Physical Therapy Can Help Release a Frozen Shoulder

Adhesive capsulitis, better known as frozen shoulder, is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in your shoulder. Frozen shoulder is a condition that gradually appears over time, and it is not the result of an injury. Signs and symptoms begin to appear, and slowly worsen over time. So what do you do when you […]

Create a Carpal Tunnel Free Workspace

A lot of us basically live at our desks.  We’re writing, typing, handling papers or doing other repetitive tasks for hours on end which can put us in the warning zone for developing carpal tunnel syndrome.  Think about it.  You are spending hours on end with one of your hands connected to a keyboard and mouse. […]

DHT Physical Therapy Team Member Spotlight: Jeanette Amado

In this month’s DHT Physical Therapy Team Member Spotlight we’re putting the spotlight on Practice Manager, Jeanette Amado.  Learn about her current obsessions and what the best part of her job is. DHT Physical Therapy Team Member Spotlight: Jeanette Amado Position: Practice Manager, Desert Hand Therapy What’s the best part of your job? The people that […]

3 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Physical Therapy

Whether you’re in physical therapy for post-op rehab, an injury you sustained, or simply pain related issues, there’s a lot you can do to get the most out of your treatment plan. Yes, we know, physical therapy can sometimes be a burden. It’s another thing you have to add to your to-do list, and it can […]

Get to Know Chris Reynolds – Owner of Desert Hand Therapy & DHT Physical Therapy

About a month ago, we sat down with Chris Reynolds in the Phoenix location of Desert Hand Therapy. An incredibly friendly person and capable hand therapist, we also discovered that he was more than just the easy-going founder and leader of Desert Hand Therapy and DHT Physical Therapy. His passion for therapy, his life, his […]

3 Anti-Aging Hand Creams That Really Work

Anti-aging products are trending right now because we are all craving that fountain of youth. Some people are even saying 50 is the new 30, and that’s all made possible with these new time reversing products. When we think about anti-aging cosmetics and beauty products most people immediately think of anti-aging moisturizers and serums. But […]

DHT Physical Therapy Team Member Spotlight: Charlotte Milas

In this month’s DHT Physical Therapy Team Member Spotlight we’re putting the spotlight on Occupational Therapist, Charlotte Milas.  Learn about her passions and what her top health tip for living a healthy lifestyle is.   DHT Physical Therapy Team Member Spotlight:  Charlotte Milas Position: Occupational Therapist – Phoenix Gateway location What was the light bulb moment […]

Should I Get an Ergonomic Assessment?

Have you been feeling inexplicably sore lately? Maybe fatigued? Have you seen your productivity drop at work? Then we may be able to help. No, you’re not sore or fatigued because you worked too hard at the gym. There’s a good chance it’s actually the result of work. Whether you sit at a desk all […]

Do Your Hands Hurt from Typing? There’s a Reason…

It may not seem like it but our hands are actually very fragile. The human body is made up of 206 bones, and there are 27 bones in each hand. That means nearly 25% of the bones in the human body are just in your hands! That’s a lot of potential for strains, fractures and breaks… […]

DHT Physical Therapy Team Member Spotlight: Alicia Austin

DHT Physical Therapy is celebrating our own physical therapists. They dedicate their time to ensure their clients are safely preventing and recovering from injuries. We caught up with some of our physical therapists to hear what they had to say about their career choice, their favorite success stories and some fun facts about themselves. We are excited to launch […]

How to Treat & Manage Hand Burns

Accidents happen.  Have you ever been cooking on the stove and burned your hand?  Hand burns definitely hurt and make you want to jump up and down screaming.  Even though hand burns represent a small wound area (the palm of the hand comprises only one percent of the body surface area) they have some major […]

Surprising Dog Health Benefits for You

There are a multitude of reasons dogs are called humans’ best friends.  When you come home after a long, stressful day to a wagging tail the immediate sense of happiness and calm you feel is incredible.  Dogs are funny, uplifting, loyal companions, and seem to understand us in a way no other human can.  But […]

4 Tips for a Healthy Back

We put our backs through much more than they’re supposed to endure. We sit at work for 8 hours a day without breaks, we lift heavy things (like our kids) more often than we should, and we don’t always practice great posture. How are you supposed to maintain a healthy back when life keeps getting […]

Improve Mobility with These Hand and Wrist Stretches

Our hands and wrists do everything for us, but how much do we do for them? From carpal tunnel syndrome to arthritis, there’s a lot at risk for our hands and wrists. When we grip our steering wheel too tight, or spend hours on end typing at work, we’re slowly weakening our hands and wrists. One […]

The Dizzying Facts on Vertigo

Do you ever feel unsteady, light-headed, dizzy or nauseated?  If you feel like you are swirling round and round in a tornado or that you are moving up and down in a boat, you may have vertigo. This sensation can be very disturbing and may increase the risk of falling.  If you’ve been diagnosed with […]

Prevent Hand Calluses When Working Out

Unfortunately, hand calluses are virtually inevitable. Calluses are the result of friction, so as long as you’re using your hands, there’s a good chance you’ll get at least one callus in your lifetime. While there are lots of activities that can cause this particular type of friction, the most common causes of calluses are manual […]

How to Get Younger Looking Hands – Bye Bye Old Lady Hands

As we get older, so many of us focus on preventing the wrinkles on our faces that we forget that other parts of our bodies show our age too. We’re talking about your hands. The same issues we’re concerned about with our faces (spots, dryness, wrinkles, etc.) also apply to our hands. What do your […]

What the Heck is K-Tape Anyway?

You’ve probably seen people rocking some k-tape and just didn’t know what it was.  Typically, the k-tape strips show up in bright shades of blues or pinks on people’s bodies.  What is it? Kinesiology tape, otherwise known as k-tape. K-tape has a comprehensive array of therapeutic benefits.  From high school heroes to professional phenomenons, k-tape […]

Your Wrist Pain May Not Be Carpal Tunnel

With all of that typing and texting every day, wrist pain has become an annoyingly painful fact of life.  There are millions of Americans who suffer from chronic wrist pain that can range from tingling to throbbing to sharp and piercing. But these twinges of pain felt in your hand or wrist (or both!) are […]

How to File Nails the Right Way

There are two types of people in this world: people who care about how their nails look, and people who don’t. It’s true that some of us are born with a biological clock geared towards bi-monthly mani-pedis, but we’d guess that the majority of us tend to let our nails go unmanicured most of the […]

Combat Winter Dryness with 3 of the Best Hand Creams

Winter is in full swing, and not even sunny Phoenix is immune to the occasional cold front and dry winter air. This season can wreak havoc on your skin, which is likely to dry out and crack if not properly taken care of. That’s why we’re compiling a list of the 3 best hand creams […]

Getting Your Hand Moving After a Fractured Wrist

A fractured wrist can bring your life to a screeching halt. Unfortunately , the wrist is also one of the most commonly broken bones in the body. There are four main kinds of wrist fractures which include: Compound or open fractures: a complicated break that may also damage the surrounding skin Simple or closed fractures: […]

What is a Repetitive Stress Injury of the Hand & Wrist?

Here’s a crazy fact about our hands:  there are more than 25 bones found in each hand!  They are an intricate array of muscles, nerves, tendons and bones.  Hands are truly engineering marvels allowing us to play an instrument or drive a car.  Yet the complexities of the hand also make them that much more […]

How Nutrition Education Can Make Your Physical Therapy More Effective

We all know that there are two main methods of getting into, and maintaining, a healthy fitness level: diet and exercise. It makes sense, then, that physical therapy alone is not enough. While we believe that our services are key for helping you recover from injuries and getting into peak physical shape, we also know […]

Stay Fit With These 3 Holiday Health Tips

The holidays are a beautiful, magical time of year. It’s also the time of the year when excess calories have a way of sneaking into your diet. Avoid seasonal over-indulgence with our three holiday health tips to help you stay fit this winter. Remember to Hydrate In the hot Phoenix summers, it’s easy to remember […]

Stop Midday Hunger! Try These Energy Boosting Foods

It’s the middle of the day, you’re sitting at your desk, and before you know it your head is rolling down, eyes are closed, mouth slightly open, and a tiny snore escapes your nose. It’s that midday energy zap.  What if we told you can put down that cup of coffee and try some new […]

Carpal Tunnel in Pregnancy

If you are pregnant and are wondering why you having numbness and tingling in your hands, you’ve come to the right place.  Carpal tunnel in pregnancy can often occur, and if you’re feeling that tingle in your wrists and hands, chances are the culprit may be carpal tunnel. According to ResearchGate studies, carpal tunnel syndrome is […]

Managing Mallet Finger

A mallet finger is a deformity of the finger caused when the tendon that straightens your finger (the extensor tendon) is damaged.  To put it more simply, mallet finger is where the end joint of a finger bends but will not straighten by itself. The joint can be pushed straight but will not hold that […]

3 Easy Desserts for Happy, Healthy Holidays

The holiday season has officially begun, which means that there are plenty of tasty desserts in your future. We’re talking pie, cake, and – of course – plenty of cute, holiday-themed cookies. With so many special occasions around the corner, even the strongest of us can struggle to stick to our diets. But just because […]

6 Little-Known Nail Polish Facts

Nail polish is a beauty staple for hands around the world. Some people use it to paint their nails a solid color, while others go all out with amazing nail-sized masterpieces. What do you know about your polish? We’re guessing it’s not much, which is why we’ve compiled 6 incredible nail polish facts for you here. […]

Getting to the Point About Dry Needling

Dry needling seems like something out of a horror film.  However, dry needling is one of the most powerful modalities in treating soft tissue dysfunction.  Let’s clear up any differences or misconceptions you might have about dry needling and get right to the point. What is dry needling? Dry needling involves the insertion of small […]

What is Craniosacral Therapy?

Have you heard of craniosacral therapy and thought what it was?  Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, noninvasive form of bodywork that addresses the bones of the head, spinal column and sacrum.  The goal is to release compression in those areas which eases stress and pain.  Craniosacral therapy helps to improve whole-body health and performanceand a preventative health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease.  It also is effective for a wide range of medical issues associated with pain and dysfunction. So How Does Craniosacral Therapy Work? Your brain and spinal cord that make up the central nervous system has a lot of influences over the body’s ability to function properly.   The central nervous system is heavily regulated by […]

Nail Care Tips for Beautiful Hands

Take a close look at your fingernails.  Are they strong and healthy?   Are there any unusual colors, ridges or dents?  Our fingernails can actually give you some serious clues to your overall health.  Those less than desirable nail conditions can be avoided through proper fingernail care. We’ve rounded up 6 nail care tips for amazing nails […]

4 Health Food Buzzwords & What They Mean

Just take a walk through any grocery store and you’ll see tons of health food buzzwords plastered across food packaging.  They’re found on chips, cereals, breads, and even soft drinks.  Food marketers absolutely love to put healthy-sounding words out on packages to help you feel good about picking up their product.  There are some health […]

Get to know the DHT Physical Therapy Team for Physical Therapy Month

About National Physical Therapy Month National Physical Therapy Month (NPTM) is a commemoration held each October by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). NPTM is designed to recognize the impact that physical therapists and physical therapy assistants make in restoring and improving motion in people’s lives. In honor of National Physical Therapy Month, DHT Physical Therapy […]

Crazy Nail Art Trends

Nail art has definitely evolved over the years.  You may go for weekly manicures, or you couldn’t care less about your unpainted nails.  Regardless of your stance on nail polish, you’ll find this crazy nail art trends taking over manicured hands today fascinating. Crazy Nail Art Trends Schedule an appointment with Desert Hand Therapy to show your […]

Hiking in Arizona: 3 Things to Avoid at All Costs

Every year, there are dozens of stories relating to sun exposure that leads to injury or even death in Arizona.  The cause?  Many of the victims are novice hikers who make easily avoidable mistakes.  We’ve come up with some of the most common mistakes that people make when hiking in Arizona and how to avoid […]

The 8 Worst Knee Exercises to NEVER do

Knee exercises may be the best medicine for chronic achy knees.  But they need to be the right knee exercises.  Just because you suffer from knee problems doesn’t mean you need you can’t stay active and fit.  You just need to choose the right knee exercises that will take it easy on your knees while […]

What Your Hands Say About You

Your hands.  We all use them constantly, from the moment we wake up until settling in bed for the night, our hands are always doing something for us. But have you ever wondered what your hands say about you?  From the shape of your hands, to your palm lines, each part holds a special meaning […]

5 Tricks to Forever Young Hands

They say people can guess how old a woman is by looking at her hands.  It’s really important to keep our hands looking as young as possible since they are highly susceptible to the first signs of aging. Our hands often age faster than our face! We try to take such great care of the […]

5 Crazy Cool Benefits of Drinking Water

Water is all around us.  And really, water actually is us!  Water makes up approximately two thirds of who we are and influences 100 percent of the processes in our body.    Drinking water is essential to your overall health since it acts as a transportation system—circulating nutrients throughout the body and moving waste products out.  That probably explains […]

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