We are passionate about enhancing the lives of our customers through innovative solutions. Today, we are excited to share an insightful interview with Sue Johnson, a skilled occupational therapist specializing in hand therapy.
Sue offers valuable insights into the role of a hand therapist, the client assessment process, therapeutic techniques, and some of her top product recommendations.
Q: Sue, can you explain what a hand therapist does?
Sue: Absolutely! A hand therapist is an occupational or physical therapist who focuses on treating conditions affecting the upper extremities, including the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. Our goal is to help clients regain strength, mobility, and function following an injury, surgery, or chronic condition. We use targeted therapies to relieve pain, restore coordination, and improve overall upper limb function.
Q: How do you evaluate a new client?
Sue: Our evaluation process is detailed and begins with gathering a comprehensive medical history to understand the client’s injury, condition, daily activities, and recovery goals.
Next, we conduct a physical examination, assessing their range of motion, strength, pain levels, and overall function. We may also use diagnostic tests to identify issues such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendon injuries. This thorough assessment allows us to design a personalized treatment plan tailored to their unique needs.
Q: What types of treatments do you provide to support recovery?
Sue: Treatment plans are highly individualized and often include a combination of therapeutic exercises, manual therapy techniques, and education.
Exercises are essential for building strength, improving flexibility, and enhancing coordination. Manual therapy methods, such as massage and joint mobilization, help reduce pain and swelling. We also focus on educating clients about their condition and teaching them techniques to complete daily tasks without causing further strain.
Additionally, we often recommend adaptive tools to support daily activities.
Q: Can you share some of your top recommended adaptive products?
Sue: Absolutely! The right adaptive tools can make everyday tasks easier and support recovery. Here are some of my favorites:
- Oval-8 Finger Splints: Ideal for stabilizing and aligning fingers affected by arthritis, tendon issues, or mallet finger. These splints help protect and support the fingers during recovery.
- Theraputty: A fantastic tool for hand exercises, available in different resistance levels. It helps strengthen hand muscles and improve grip strength.
- TheraBand Hand Exercisers: These flexible tools come in various resistance levels and are great for building grip strength, enhancing dexterity, and improving range of motion.
- Button Hook & Zipper Pulls: Simple but effective tools that make fastening buttons and zippers much easier for those with limited hand strength or mobility.
- Ergonomic Pens: Designed to reduce hand strain, these pens make writing more comfortable, whether you’re jotting down a shopping list or a personal note.
- Uccello Kettle: I discovered this fantastic kettle through one of my clients. The Uccello team was kind enough to provide a demo and even gifted us a unit for our assessments. Its innovative tilt-to-pour design eliminates the need for heavy lifting, making it easier and safer to pour a cup of tea. I loved it so much, I bought one for myself!
Q: What do you find most rewarding about your work as a hand therapist?
Sue: The most fulfilling part of my job is witnessing my clients regain their hand function and confidence. It’s incredibly rewarding to see someone progress from struggling with simple tasks to achieving their personal goals and enjoying greater independence. Every small win along their journey is a reason to celebrate, and I’m honored to be a part of that process.
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