Services

Hand Therapy

The use of our hands is a highly valued trait, and any loss of function can have a devastating effect on a person’s quality of life.

For those recovering from hand surgery or an upper quarter of the body accident or injury, everyday activities such as eating, dressing, or using a computer may seem challenging, if not impossible.

Certified Hand Therapists (CHT’s), despite the name, aren’t just hand specialists. CHT’s are upper quarter rehabilitation specialists, encompassing the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder.  In large part, due to the recognition that our body doesn’t function in an isolated manner but rather in unison with other joints.

A therapist working on a patient's wrist
A patient squeezing a tool that measures pressure
A therapist working on a patient's hand

Hand Therapy Rehabilitation

ProActive Physical Therapy offers hand and upper extremity rehabilitation services at three of our outpatient clinics. With a staff of certifed hand therapists and physical therapists, ProActive has one of the most qualifed and experienced hand teams in the greater Tucson area.

Our hand therapists are experts in evaluating and treating highly complex hand and upper extremity injuries and conditions. For individuals experiencing pain and/or loss of function in their hand, elbow, or shoulder because of recent surgery, acute injury, or chronic condition, such as arthritis, our hand therapists will help guide them towards a full recovery.

Hand therapist will work closely with the physician to provide a continuum of care. This often starts within days of the injury or surgery right through the patient’s return to work and/or productive lifestyle.

Our Hand Therapists provide comprehensive care for their patients:

  • Accurate assessments, immediate care, and effective treatment to reduce treatment time
  • A continuum of care eliminating the need for multiple medical providers
  • Faster recovery results with decreased medical costs
  • Functional outcomes ensuring a speedier return to work and a productive lifestyle

Range of treatment:

  • Manual therapy
  • Range of motion
  • Tendon and nerve gliding
  • Desensitization
  • Sensory re-education
  • Strengthening
  • Home exercise programs
A patient sitting at a table while performing hand rehabilitation excercises.

Our Hand Therapists are uniquely qualified to treat the following conditions:

  • Carpel tunnel syndrome
  • Tendonitis (tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, or trigger finger)
  • Osteo and rheumatoid arthritis
  • Rotator cuff tears
  • Joint replacements
  • Upper extremity sprains/strains
  • Fractures
  • Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)

When appropriate, we design custom splints to ensure the protection of joints during the healing process or splints that improve motion of the hand and fingers.

ProActive hand therapists have 5+ years of clinical experience and over 4,000 hours of hand therapy practice.

A therapist measuring the range of flexibility on her patient's hand

ProActive hand therapists have passed a comprehensive test of advanced clinical skills and theory in upper quarter rehabilitation. They also attend continuing education courses and recertify every five years to stay informed of the latest medical advancements and theories.