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, so trusting a certified hand therapist is essential to aiding in your care. Our hands are very important and should be taken care of, so we have outlined what you need to know about your local certified hand therapists to keep them in tip top shape!
What is a certified hand therapist?
Hand therapy is a mixture of physical therapy and occupational therapy to treat conditions and injuries of the upper extremities and get patients back to their original range of motion.
Although they are called certified hand therapists, a CHT treats more than just the hands. Certified hand therapists care for injuries and conditions of the upper extremities such as fingers, wrists, forearms, elbows and shoulders.
Certified hand therapists conduct a thorough examination of the injured area to reach a diagnosis and formulate and plan of action. A CHT uses many tools and techniques along with unique exercise programs for treatment. They also craft custom splints and braces for patients with tendonitis, carpal tunnel, fractures and other conditions.
What conditions do certified hand therapists treat?
Hand therapists treat a wide variety of conditions such as carpal tunnel, wrist pain, arthritis, rotator cuff tears, hand fractures, tendon strains and more.
If you are suffering from an injury or chronic pain in your upper extremities, turn to a certified hand-therapist. At Desert Hand & Physical Therapy, our goal is to facilitate healing while reducing pain and restoring range of motion, strength and coordination. We want to get you back to your best functional status as quickly as possible.
How do you achieve a hand therapy certification?
To become a certified hand therapist, an occupational therapist or physical therapist must go through 3 years of training and working in orthopedics of the upper extremity. After that period, the provider must sit and pass the board examination from the Hand Therapy Certification Commission. The board exam will test the provider on everything from the cervical spine to fingertip. To find a certified hand-therapist near you, check out the link here.
Why Choose Desert Hand & Physical Therapy?
Desert Hand & Physical Therapy has 10 locations across the greater Phoenix area. At each location, a certified hand-therapist is available to evaluate and guide care. Our staff believes in quality of care and providing specialized, individualized care to every patient. You can trust us as your upper extremity experts. For new patient inquiry, please call us at 602-231-8511 or contact us here
