01 Sep What can Hand Therapists treat?

Your hands are involved in almost everything you do.

From working and exercising to cooking, driving, getting dressed and enjoying your favourite hobbies, we rely on our hands and upper limbs every day.
So, when an injury, surgery or condition affects your finger, hand, wrist, elbow or shoulder, even the simplest activities can suddenly become difficult.

That’s where a hand therapist can help.

So, what is the role of a hand therapist?

A hand therapist is an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist with expertise and immense training in assessing and treating conditions affecting the hand and upper limb.

At Melbourne Hand Rehab, our therapists take the time to understand what matters most to each patient, developing an individualised treatment plan based on their condition, lifestyle and goals. We support people with a wide range of hand and upper-limb conditions, including fractures, arthritis, tendon and nerve injuries, post-operative rehabilitation, wound and scar management, sports injuries and more. Our team also work with children experiencing handwriting and fine motor challenges, helping them build the skills and confidence they need for everyday activities.

Depending on your needs, treatment may include exercise and rehabilitation, custom splinting, education, activity modification, scar management, hydrotherapy, ultrasound, paraffin wax therapy and other tailored treatment techniques.

Every recovery is different, your therapist will work with you to find the right approach for your individual needs and goals.

The aim isn’t simply to reduce pain or improve movement, it’s to help you get back to doing the things you need and want to do.

What can a Hand Therapist treat?

Hand therapists support people across a wide range of conditions and stages of recovery, including:

• Fractures and traumatic injuries
• Tendon and ligament injuries
• Nerve injuries and conditions
• Arthritis and joint conditions
• Hand and wrist pain
• Post-operative rehabilitation
• Wound and scar management
• Strength and movement difficulties
• Children’s handwriting and fine motor difficulties
• Sports-related hand and upper-limb injuries

How can a hand therapist help?

Your treatment will depend on your individual condition and goals.

Your hand therapist may use a combination of:

Education
Helping you understand your injury, recovery and what you can expect throughout rehabilitation.

Exercise & Rehabilitation
Individualised exercises to improve movement, strength, coordination and function.

Custom Splinting
Fabricating a custom-made splint to protect an injury, support healing, manage symptoms or improve function.

Scar & Wound Management
Supporting recovery following surgery or injury and helping you manage scar-related concerns.

Activity Modification
Helping you understand how to safely modify the way you work, exercise or complete everyday activities while you recover.

Functional Rehabilitation
Working towards the specific activities that matter to you — whether that’s returning to work, sport, hobbies or everyday tasks.

Your Recovery is Individual

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to hand therapy. Your therapist will monitor your progress throughout your rehabilitation and adjust your treatment as your needs change.

Whether you’re recovering from surgery, managing an ongoing condition or trying to get back to a favourite activity, our goal is simple:

To help you get back to doing what matters to you.

Chelsea Tiatto