Hand Occupational Therapy

Hand therapists (also referred to as occupational therapists) specialize in conditions affecting hands and upper extremities, including the arm, wrist, elbow, shoulder, and finger joints.

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Ivy Rehab / Therapy Services / Occupational Therapy / Hand Therapy

What is Hand Therapy Treatment?

Hand therapists (also known as occupational therapists) specialize in conditions affecting the hands and upper extremities. Many pursue certification and advanced clinical training to develop specialist skills in hand therapy.

Becoming a hand therapist involves advanced training to treat patients through hand therapy for conditions such as post-surgical rehabilitation, non-surgical hand injuries, conservative care, preventive strategies, and work-related consultations—with input from your physician or surgeon when needed.

Hand therapy often continues even after a patient returns to work or daily activities to further improve function and range of motion.

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What Are Different Types of Hand Therapy Procedures?

Range of motion/stretching
Strengthening
Therapeutic exercises
Wound / scar management
Desensitization techniques
Edema control
Soft tissue mobilization / massage
Functional activities
Work simulation
Work place modifications
Modalities (including ultrasound, electrical stimulation, heat/ice, iontophoresis)
Custom splinting
Custom casting
Home program instruction

How We Approach Hand Therapy

Licensed hand therapists at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy work with you to prevent injuries, improve function after surgery or injury, and help you get back to feeling like yourself again. We treat a variety of conditions—from arthritis and osteoarthritis to chronic and degenerative conditions, trauma, and neurologic recovery after stroke.

Our hand therapists provide one-on-one care to design a custom rehabilitation plan tailored to your specific injury or condition.

Hand pain treatment through occupational therapy can result in:

Faster recovery times
Custom splint fabrication
Decreased medical costs
Better functional outcomes

Request your appointment today at an Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy location near you to learn more about hand therapy.

FAQs

Can hand therapy help arthritis, osteoarthritis, or other chronic degenerative conditions?

Yes. Hand therapy can benefit people with arthritis, osteoarthritis, and chronic degenerative changes by improving motion, supporting joint function, and helping restore function.

Do I need a physician or surgeon referral for hand therapy?

In many cases, you can schedule an appointment directly. However, a physician or surgeon may recommend hand therapy based on your diagnosis, surgical needs, or a history of chronic disorders.

Is hand therapy available for pediatric cases or simple fingertip injuries?

Yes. Hand therapy can support pediatric care, including simple fingertip injuries, and can also assist with recovery after neurologic events like stroke when upper extremity function is affected.

What conditions do hand therapy specialists treat in the hand and upper extremity?

A hand therapy specialist may treat the arm, wrist, elbow, shoulder, and finger joint issues, ranging from trauma and deformity to orthopedic and neurologic conditions.

What should I expect at my first visit (PT assessment and diagnosis)?

Your first visit typically includes a PT assessment, a review of symptoms and history, and clinical testing to support diagnosis. Your therapist will recommend a plan that may include therapeutic exercises and orthotic fabrication when appropriate.

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Discover how Ivy Rehab can help you achieve your therapy goals.

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Check out some of our 4 and 5 star reviews

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Excel Physical Therapy4.9

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These therapists are awesome!! They care about YOU and work so hard with you to achieve your goals. I can't believe how quick my turnaround was and I actually looked forward to working out. Hope I don't have to go again but if I do, it will be there.

Response from the owner:Thank you for the great review, we really appreciate it! – The team at Ivy Rehab PT, Virginia Beach

I would recommend this location to anybody for their physical therapy needs. I injured myself training for marathon and it was not getting better on my own. Within a month of starting here I was back running and I was able to run my marathon and get a personal best!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words; we appreciate your feedback! – The team at Excel Physical Therapy – Westfield – East Broad St

The atmosphere and the surroundings and helpful and everyone is very helpful there makes it very easy to do what has to be done and they take good care of you very friendly. They’re all courteous and kind.. they treat you like a family member I really wouldn’t go anywhere else . Page and Anna are great. can’t wait to see you all again, Keeppunching Cosmo

Response from the owner:Your kind words brighten our day – thank you for sharing! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy – North Arlington

The staff at Ivy Rehab New Hyde Park was so encouraging, knowledgeable and helpful. They are the reason my rehab went as well as it did. I couldn’t have asked for a better more dedicated Physical Therapist than Jenn McNaughton. She made me look forward to each session. Her caring, empathetic personality is, in addition to her knowledge, what makes her the best Physical Therapist in my opinion.

Response from the owner:We're thrilled you had such a positive experience, thank you! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy – New Hyde Park

Kate has been working with our special needs child for almost a year and they’ve made amazing progress with her and we look forward to continued progress.

Response from the owner:Hearing this feedback means so much to us – thank you for sharing! – The team at Ivy Rehab for Kids – Bensalem

Judy, David , Casey and Libby are all fantastic therapist and I am indebted to them for helping me recover from rotator cuff surgery. While I hope I won’t need therapy again, if I do, I will definitely go to Ivy Rehab in Phoenixville. Jean at the front desk is also fantastic.

Response from the owner:We’re so thankful for your kind words and positive review! – The team at Excel Physical Therapy – Westfield – East Broad St

Highly recommend this place. Dr. Skeeter has a great staff that cares about your concerns,treats you well and with respect. Clean facility. Very accommodating appointment times.

Outstanding service, the PTW Team not only makes you feel welcome but provides excellent treatment. They set a treatment plan designed to meet your individual needs and help you progress safely and comfortably.

Natasha the Physical Therapist is excellent. Some how she manages to treat you wrh sincere care and is so concerned abour your progress. I have had a few physical therapist in my life and by far she is the best. Her compassion is outstanding . Joe is also watching you and both make sure you are doing everything correct. Unlike other places I hace experienced you are always watched and work as a team. Highly recommend them and I am also in the health care profession so I know something great when I see it. Thank you Natasha and Joe in my recovery.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your positive feedback, it means the world to us! – The team at Excel Physical Therapy – Cresskill

The Washington St. location of Ivy Rehab is my first stop for any recovery…surgeries, bike accidents or just overwork at the gym. The PTs take the time needed to understand your issue and work to develop a very personalized plan. The assistants, like Jerry and Gracie, are there to make sure that you do those exercises correctly and coach you along the way. I always walk out of there feeling better than when I went in.

Response from the owner:That's wonderful to hear – thank you so much for sharing your feedback with us! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, Hoboken – Midtown

I thoroughly appreciated my visits here and having Kathryn as my therapist. I genuinely felt valued and left each session feeling improved. I would recommend this to anyone seeking relief from physical discomfort as well.

Response from the owner:We really appreciate you taking the time to leave us this 5-star review! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, Norfolk

Best speech and occupational therapy in Livingston Co. hands down. Very professional staff and therapists! My son just completed 4yrs of Speech Therapy with Stephanie! She goes above and beyond with all her students and it was a pleasure and a blessing having her. My son went from not speaking at all at 2yrs to being able to communicate with me and now at 6yrs he's quite the talker. Stephanie is so wonderful with kids and really knows how to teach them to communicate. All of the staff and therapists, Shelly and Karen (billing/ front desk), Christina, Michelle, Kylie, Paige, Katherine…every one there should be compensated immensely for the hard work and dedication they put forth for all of their clients and students. I am so grateful that I found Ivy Rehab in Brighton and my son was able to get services there, without ALL of them working diligently with my son I know he wouldn't be thriving and as successful as he is today. Thank you Ivy Rehab for Kids Brighton…I am beyond grateful for ALL of you!!!

Response from the owner:That's wonderful to hear – thank you so much for sharing your feedback with us! – The team at Ivy Rehab for Kids, Brighton

Great place – they are taking good care of my 93 year old Mom – Ivy Rehab is staffed with courteous professional and supportive professionals the place is clean organized and manage the appointments excellent. Highly recommend this rehab facility.

Response from the owner:Thank you for the fantastic rating, we're so grateful! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy – New Hyde Park

Briana has been so awesome. She clicked right away with Carson. She knows exactly how to redirect him and she keeps his interest. We couldn't ask for better therapist.

My son has been going to Leaps and Bounds in Brighton for just over a year now. He receives both speech and OT therapy. I cannot say enough great things about Leaps and Bounds and the therapists who work with him! His therapists give me reports after every session and we have seen huge gains in his speech, behavior, gross motor and fine motor skills. He is more focused and can communicate so much better than before starting at Leaps and Bounds. His speech therapist, Kathleen, has been especially helpful in his journey. She is constantly giving me feedback about his progress and gives me ideas and suggestions about ways that we can help him at home. I am very grateful for her support and the support I have received from everyone there. I also would like to mention the office staff and how accommodating and friendly they are to me and my son. They make it very easy to schedule appointments, answer my questions about billing and payments and always seem happy to see us and the other children who attend there. Our experience at Leaps and Bounds in Brighton has been awesome for my family and I would highly recommend it to anyone that is in need of therapy for their child. Kind Regards, Courtney Rabassa

Ivy Rehab in Chesterfield, Virginia is an Amazing place! My husband is a patient at the center and as his wife for over fifty years, I thoroughly enjoy watching the activities and individual milestones that he is achieving. The staff is stupendous, highly knowledgeable, and most of all kind and funny. Their personalities are the high point of the sessions that I am fortunate to witness! I would give the center and the physical therapists a score even higher than 5 stars if this was an available option! Top accolades to IVY REHAB!!!

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your positive feedback, it means the world to us! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, Midlothian – Swift Creek

I have had the opportunity to work with Chandree, Donny, and Amanda. They are all very nice and true professionals. I have mainly worked with Chandree. His exercises and leg massages are very helpful. My legs feel much better when I am leaving, than when I first come in. I have been to other rehab places, for other issues. Ivyrehab in Naperville is the best.

Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to leave such thoughtful feedback – we’re grateful! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy – Naperville

I had the best experience at Ivy rehab in Naperville! The entire staff made a great first impression as they were friendly and welcoming! I was always greeted with a smile and conversation from the front desk receptionist. She was very helpful. I received therapy from two PT's for my lower back issues. They were both very fun to work with! Most importantly, they were very knowledgeable and professional. They helped with back strengthening which reduced my pain tremendously. I was even inspired to get a gym membership to continue my workouts!! I was actually sad when my session ended lol. Would highly recommend:)

Response from the owner:It’s great to hear this feedback! Thank you for taking the time to share your review! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, Naperville

My daughter was born with torticolus and has been going to Theraplay since she was a month old. They have been so great with not only helping my daughter but helping me understand how to help her at home and helping me feel at ease. I would give them 10 stars if I could.

Response from the owner:Hi Nina, Thank you so much for the great feedback! We are happy to hear about your positive experience at Theraplay and so glad that both you and your daughter have benefited from our amazing Bensalem staff!

Cannot emphasize enough how wonderful my experience at Ivy in Island park has been. From the front desk staff (shoutout Liz) to all the therapists everyone is so welcoming, kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. I already feel like I’m getting stronger from my car accident after working with Lydia. Lydia is the absolute BEST! I look forward to my PT sessions and I attribute that solely to how fantastic Ivy Rehab in Island Park is. 100/10, ABSOLUTELY recommend!

Response from the owner:That's wonderful to hear – thank you so much for sharing your feedback with us! – The team at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy – Island Park

The Westfield office is one of the best medical facilities I have been to! The therapists are great – I am fortunate to have Aaron who has amazing knowledge, fantastic skills and has answered every question I asked while giving me excellent advice. The other two therapist I worked with – Josh and Sarah – are also amazing! They have great knowledge of the exercises and techniques and they have patience. More importantly they also treat the patients with great care and have helped me tremendously. And each visit starts with a hello and a smile from Ebony who keeps everything in order. I can’t thank everyone enough!

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your positive feedback, it means the world to us! – The team at Excel Physical Therapy – Westfield – East Broad St