Wellspring Therapy

Certified Hand Therapy

Certified Hand Therapy: a specialized rehabilitation program under the guidance of a Certified Hand Therapist. We treat a wide range of diagnoses from cumulative injuries to trauma, such as fractures, amputation, tendon and nerve injuries. We offer custom splinting.

A Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), as defined by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC), is an occupational therapist or physical therapist who has a minimum of five years of clinical experience, including 4,000 hours or more in direct practice in hand therapy, and has successfully passed a comprehensive test of advanced clinical skills and theory in upper quarter rehabilitation. CHTs are required to demonstrate continued professional development and competency by recertifying every five years.

A hand therapist works with patients who may have been affected by an accident or trauma leaving them with wounds, scars, burns, injured tendons or nerves, fractures, or even amputation of the finger, hand, or arm.

A hand therapist also treats patients who are disabled from the effects of cumulative trauma disorders – such as tennis elbow or carpal tunnel syndrome. Many patients seeking the care of a hand therapist also suffer from such chronic problems as arthritis or a neurological condition.

Commonly treated conditions, as outlined by the HTCC, include:

Amputations
Cumulative trauma disorders/repetitive stress injuries
Dupuytren’s contracture
Flexor/extensor tendon injuries
Fractures/dislocations/joint instabilities
Infections
Inflammatory and degenerative arthritis
Nail bed injuries
Pain-related syndromes
Peripheral nerve compression and injuries
Post-mastectomy/post-radiation lymphedema
Soft tissue injuries
Thermal injuries
Tumors and cysts
Vascular disorders

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