A hand therapist is an occupational or physical therapist, who, through advanced continuing education and clinical experience, has become proficient in the treatment of upper extremity conditions resulting from trauma, disease, congenital or acquired deformity. A hand therapist may achieve advanced certification as a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT). To obtain the CHT credential, a therapist must practice for a minimum of three years, accumulating at least 4,000 hours of treatment for hand and upper extremity disorders. Certified Hand Therapists must also pass a rigorous certification exam to demonstrate their competency in the practice of hand therapy.
What is hand therapy?
Hand therapy is the art and science of evaluating and treating injuries and conditions of the upper extremities (shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand). Hand therapy uses several therapeutic interventions to help return a person to their highest level of function. It evolved from the need for a specialist with the knowledge and experience required to manage the challenging recovery of complex hand and upper extremity injuries.
What can a hand therapist do for me?
Hand therapists bridge the gap from medical management of upper extremity conditions to successful recovery, allowing individuals to function normally in their daily lives. Hand therapists provide non-operative interventions, preventative care, and post-surgical rehabilitation for a wide variety of upper extremity disorders. A hand therapist employs a variety of techniques and tools, including activity and exercise programs, custom orthosis fabrication, and management of pain, swelling, wounds, and scars. A hand therapist can also be a consultant in the industrial world, training employees in healthy work habits to prevent injuries at work.
By Samantha Jadlowski, OT, CHT
