Hand Therapy is expert care for hands, wrists, and upper extremity function.
Hand therapy is a specialized form of rehabilitation focused on restoring function, movement, and strength in the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, and shoulder. It bridges the gap between occupational therapy and physical therapy, helping patients regain their ability to perform daily activities—from buttoning a shirt to swinging a golf club—after an injury, surgery, or chronic condition.
A hand therapist is either a licensed occupational therapist (OT) or a physical therapist (PT) who has advanced education and clinical experience specific to the upper extremity. This expertise is especially valuable for patients recovering from fractures, tendon or nerve repairs, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, or post-surgical conditions.
How Hand Therapy Differs from Physical Therapy
While both hand therapists and physical therapists are movement experts, their focus and approach differ.
- Physical therapy addresses pain, strength, mobility, and balance for the entire body—often helping people recover after orthopedic injuries, joint replacements, or neurological conditions.
- Hand therapy, on the other hand, is highly specialized. It focuses on the intricate anatomy and function of the upper limb, emphasizing fine motor skills, hand dexterity, and the restoration of precise movements required for work and daily life.
In practice, this specialization means hand therapists often perform:
- Custom splinting and orthotic fabrication
- Scar management and desensitization techniques
- Edema (swelling) reduction and soft-tissue mobilization
- Functional activity retraining (like gripping, pinching, or typing)
- Post-operative rehabilitation in close coordination with surgeons
The goal is not only to heal tissue but to restore independence, helping patients return to work, sports, hobbies, and everyday life.
Makovicka Physical Therapy has Hand Therapists at several locations in Omaha and Lincoln:
What types of services does a Hand Therapist offer?
- Fine Motor Skills
- Pain Management
- Wound and Scar Management
- Muscle Strengthening
- Ergonomic Education
- Edema Management
- Manual Therapy (IASTM)
- Custom Splint Fabrication
- Use of Electrotherapeutic, Superficial, and Deep Thermal Agents
Do you want to learn more about Hand Therapy and how you can benefit from this special service? Contact one of our clinic locations offering Hand Therapy: Papillion, Pine Lake East-Lincoln, or University Place-Lincoln for more information. If you aren’t sure if you need therapy, make an appointment for a Free Consultation to speak one-on-one with a therapist. It’s easy and fast.