Category Archives: News

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 […]

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