Certified Hand Therapy

What conditions does it treat?

Any loss of function through injury, accident, or disease may have a devastating effect on their lives. Anyone with an injury wants the very best of treatment to assure maximal recovery. The Certified Hand Therapist credential offers assurance to the public that the therapist has achieved the highest level of competency in the profession and stays up to date with practice within the field.

Hand therapy, or rehabilitation, is a specialized area of rehabilitation used to increase the strength and function of the hand. Rehabilitation may include physical therapy and/or occupational therapy.

Your doctor may refer you to a physical therapist or occupational therapist with advanced skills called a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT). The CHT credential means the therapist has completed additional education and has earned credentials beyond a therapy degree. Certified hand therapists work with individuals in industrial, athletic and performing artist groups.

Therapy of the hand may include one or more of the following:

exercises for the hand
heat therapy
massage therapy
splinting
traction
nerve stimulation

People value the use of their hands and any loss of function through injury, accident, or disease may have a devastating effect on their lives. Hand therapy is common following hand surgery to restore tendons, nerves, and joint function. Hand therapists also work with diagnoses related to the arm that may include, but are not limited to:

amputations
arthritis
burns
congenital anomalies
fractures and lacerations
overuse syndromes/repetitive strain injuries
vascular/lymphatic problems