Hand Therapy
A Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) is a therapist who has a minimum of five years of clinical experience, including 4,000 hours or more in direct practice in hand therapy. In addition, the Certified Hand Therapist has successfully passed a comprehensive test of advanced clinical skills and theory in upper quarter rehabilitation. Hand therapy is the art and science of rehabilitation or the upper limb, which includes the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder girdle. It is a merging of occupational and physio therapy theory and practice that combines comprehensive knowledge of the structure of the upper limb with function and activity. Using specialised skills in assessment, planning and treatment, hand therapists provide therapeutic interventions to prevent dysfunction, restore function and/or reverse the progression of pathology of the upper limb in order to enhance an individual’s ability to execute tasks and to participate fully in life situations.