Hand therapy is the specialised assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of hand and upper limb injuries and conditions.
The hand and wrist are complex areas of the body. Each hand has 29 bones, 29 major joints, 123 ligaments and is controlled by nearly 50 different muscles. Hand therapy evolved because specialised skills, knowledge, and experience are required to effectively manage upper extremity conditions. Hand therapists treat injuries and conditions from the elbow down to the fingers.
Find one of our hand clinics near you.
We have clinics in Merivale, Papanui, Moorhouse Ave, Halswell and Kaiapoi
Hand therapy
Hand therapy is recognised and respected by ACC and medical specialists as an integral part of the allied health system in New Zealand. In New Zealand, hand therapists are physiotherapists or occupational therapists who have completed post graduate study in the hand and upper limb. A registered hand therapist will have a four-year degree, a minimum of one year post graduate study, and usually at least two years’ hand therapy experience with clinical oversight. As such, hand therapists are highly skilled in assessment and treatment of the hand and upper limb. Specialised skills include managing wounds and scars, swelling, pain, sensation, joint stability, movement, strength, and making custom splinting to support healing tissues.
Hand therapy treatments include
- supports and splinting for protection, pain relief and function
- wound, scar and swelling management
- exercise prescription for movement, strength, stability, dexterity and specific work and sports
- advice about protecting your hands at work and in sports or hobbies
- advice on posture and exercises to support your upper body and arm
- desensitisation and mobilisation of nerves
- pain management
Bridging the gap
Hand therapists work closely with local doctors and orthopaedic and plastic surgeons. Hand therapists bridge the gap from medical management of upper extremity conditions to successful recovery, allowing you to function normally. For example when your fractured wrist is removed from a cast hand therapy will provide splints or sports guards to protect the wrist, offer advice and education about returning to activity, and show you exercises to restore strength, movement and function. If you require surgery, hand therapy is often essential for your recovery. Rehabilitation after surgery is a fine balance between restoring movement and function, while protecting the repaired structure.
If you have any injury, pain or difficulty with your hand or upper limb, hand therapy can help! We will care for you from the day of injury, right through to your full recovery and return to normal activity. You can explore our Resource Hub for lots more information about particular conditions and how hand therapy can help. If you would like more information or to book an appointment please get in touch, we look forward to working with you.
Hand therapy FAQs
If you need any further information or would like to discuss if hand therapy could help you, please contact us, we would love to hear from you.
Hand therapy is the specialised profession of assessment and treatment of the hand and arm. Hand therapy treatment can include splints and supports, wound and scar management, exercises for movement and strength, and pain management.
Hand therapy can help from the day of your injury right through to your full recovery. It is usually best to start hand therapy early to get the right diagnosis and advice so you can recover as fast as possible. Contact us if you would like to discuss when to start hand therapy.
This depends on your condition or injury and the goals you want to achieve. Your hand therapist will discuss a treatment plan and outline how long your recovery may take. Often you will need to attend hand therapy more in the first six weeks after an injury or surgery. It can take many months to make a full recovery. Your hand therapist will monitor your progress to make sure you are on track to achieve your goals.
You do not need a referral to be seen by a hand therapist, just contact us to make an appointment. Our therapists can lodge ACC claims, refer you for X-rays/imaging or a surgical opinion, and liaise with your GP if required.
Please phone 355 9775 or use the Contact Us page to make an appointment at any of our clinic locations
You are in good hands with our team.
We look forward to working with you and your whanau
Merivale Hand Clinic
Resource hub
Visit our Resource hub for more interesting articles and useful information sheets.
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Contact us with any questions
Our team of 12 hand therapists have undergraduate degrees in physiotherapy or occupational therapy and have all completed a post graduate qualification in hand and upper limb therapy. Together we have a total of over 150 years of experience in hand therapy!
