Hand Therapy

What is Hand Therapy?

People value the use of their hands and any loss of function through injury, surgery, chronic disease, or trauma may have a devastating effect on their lives.  Individuals healing from an upper extremity condition want the very best of treatment to ensure the fastest recovery and functional outcome.  Hand Therapy focuses on addressing injuries and conditions of the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder.  The hand therapy discipline combines the practices of both occupational therapy and physical therapy in the rehabilitation of the upper extremity.  According to the U.S. Department of Labor (2016), there are approximately 240,000 physical therapists and 130,000 occupational therapists employed in the United States.  Of those therapists, only 6,235 have chosen to specialize and become Certified Hand Therapists.

Our team of expert hand therapists uses their advanced training to assess and treat a variety of upper extremity conditions.  Our hand therapists are passionate about helping our patients achieve their goals in a positive and encouraging environment.  Our team works closely with physicians and patients to provide a full continuum of care.  Treatment often begins within days of an injury or surgery and continues until patients have returned to a productive lifestyle. 

Why See a Certified Hand Therapist?

Certified Matters

Adding the word “certified” in front of hand therapist isn’t something we take lightly. It takes commitment and dedication to become a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT). We’re proud of our team for taking the extra step to deliver exceptional care. That commitment is made up of three years of clinical experience, 4,000 hours or more in direct hand therapy practice, and successfully passing a comprehensive examination on clinical skills and theory in upper extremity rehabilitation. On average, only 56% of test candidates successfully pass the exam each year. The CHT credential offers assurance to the public that the therapist has achieved the highest level of competency in the profession and remained current with advances in the hand therapy field. Certified Hand Therapists must renew their credentials every five years through continued education to use the CHT designation.

Meet Our Hand Therapy Teams

Our hand therapy teams have more than 130 years of combined experience in treating the upper extremity. Perhaps even more remarkable is our commitment to personalized patient care. When you partner with us, you’re about to embark on a journey of recovery and we’re honored to be a part of it.

Meet the Bellevue Team

Meet the Issaquah Team

What Our Patients are Saying

We are so grateful for Emily’s wisdom and tenacity during our daughter’s injury. In every possible way, Emily exceeded our expectations. She advocated with the surgeon for us, she was creative in her approach to therapy, and she overturned many obstacles that came our way during recovery. But even more importantly, Emily was kind, fun, and compassionate with our daughter, making this painful journey back to health a positive experience. We have always felt like we were in excellent hands, literally! I cannot recommend Emily and her team enough.

S. Schattenkerk 
S. Schattenkerk

After requiring surgery for a torn ACL due to a sports injury, Kiley Steinriede from Proliance Sports Therapy guided my journey to recovery from re-learning to walk to returning to play the sports I love. Kiley’s mix of real-world experience, attention to detail, empathy, motivation, care, humor and emotional support is what made it all possible. I couldn’t have done it without her.

D. Fernandez 
D. Fernandez

I would not have had a successful rehabilitation experience were it not for Kiley. She was tirelessly diligent, attentive and knowledgeable about what was best for my post-op ACL rehab at each stage of the recovery process. But more importantly, her humor and care for me as an individual, not just a patient, was the greatest encouragement as I went through physical therapy. Because of her, I looked forward to coming in to sessions and her optimism and charisma no doubt expedited my rehabilitation.

J. Kurtz 
J. Kurtz

Laura Browne has provided excellent and effective physical therapy to both myself and my husband in the past. Now, I am thankful to have her professional knowledge and caring treatment as I struggle with the dual problems of surgery recovery and recurrence of significant lymphedema near the surgical site. Laura fluidly adapts to the limitations that the lymphedema imposes on a “normal” path to surgery recovery, always finding effective exercises to substitute for ones that are not practical for the situation. Throughout, her communication is informative, honest, and encouraging. Laura Browne is a credit to the high standards Proliance seeks in their employees.

A. Stieglitz 
A. Stieglitz

Kudos to Proliance Sports Therapy & Rehab for the superb treatment I’ve received over the past several months. A spring ski mishap resulted in my fractured arm near my shoulder and that led to surgery requiring a steel plate with several pins; in the same fall, I tore my rotator cuff in my ‘other’ arm. With both arms basically ‘out of commission’ I was scared and worried about how I’d ever use my arms normally again. Laura has amazed me with all of her knowledge and capability as she has led me through a PT Program that now has me functioning as normally as I was before… I am so thankful that I chose Proliance Sports Therapy for my rehab; should I ever need rehab again, I would choose Proliance in a heartbeat!

Joyce 
Joyce

14 months ago I had total shoulder replacement on my right shoulder at Issaquah Proliance Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. Surgery went great! Started Physical Therapy 1 week later. My Therapist (Cathy Van Lith) discussed my goals with me and set a plan. Everybody is so friendly and nice and make you feel welcome – you feel like family. I still have a long way to go but I know I couldn’t be in better hands. I have friends that have recommended that have gone and they can’t thank me enough for the recommendation.

M. Donah 
M. Donah

Only place I’ll go: In the past, we’ve had a hard time finding good medical care. My wife found Proliance via recommendation from her OB who had his hip replaced at Proliance. We have since had 2 surgeries each that have required intense physical therapy at Proliance in Issaquah. The net result is that I won’t go anywhere else in the future. My expectations have been exceeded by both the care I’ve received and the support to get through the PT. Sounds silly I suppose, but I feel like I’m treated like a person, not just a body part that needs fixing. I’ve worked with Emily specifically and her PTs are truly a standout, they are awesome, pushing you while supporting, plus have been completely connected with my surgeon and with each other. If you need care, this is a good choice.

A. Taylor 
A. Taylor

Patrick understood how difficult it was for me to be sidelined and how frustrated I felt. He pushed me to work harder and celebrated with me when I would hit a goal. Patrick was realistic about timelines, knew when to push me and when to hold me back so I didn’t injure myself again. He also did a great job of making our sessions fun and different. I would highly recommend Proliance Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation. This group of people truly cares about your recovery, goals, physical and emotional well being and long term health. I now feel confident to trail run, bike, ski and have even learned how to rock climb!

J. Sargeant 
J. Sargeant

Kyle Mark was amazing! He patiently rehabbed my knee back and specifically researched exercises that would support my love of tennis, after I tore my meniscus. I left after the expected period of time and was able to resume tennis. Unfortunately, I caused an additional issue within the knee while hiking shortly after recovery and, even though I had moved out-of-state, he suggested exercises to get me back on track. I am 100% back to normal and so thankful that he took the time and shared his knowledge with me. Proliance is lucky to have such a smart, caring and dedicated physical therapist in their office.

 

After finger surgery four years ago on my left hand and two years ago on my right hand. Stephanie helped me through many therapy appointments. She also instructed me on home exercises. She is very professional and will go the extra mile to get the results we both wanted. I would highly recommend her.

F. Olson 
F. Olson