Our Range of Physiotherapy Services

We offer a range of physiotherapy services for the hand, wrist and elbow, including post-surgical rehabilitation, the management of arthritis, pain management and helping to restore movement to your joints.

Relieve Pain

• Education and advice
  
• Splinting and supports
• Strapping and taping for acute injuries
• Rest and guided exercises to prevent stiffness
• Soft tissue work and massage
• Acupuncture

Restore Movement

• Graded exercises and stretching
• Splinting for movement
• Home based exercise programmes
• Online exercise apps for guidance
• Manual therapy and joint mobilisations
• Muscle retraining
• Movement analysis and restoring normal movement patterns
• Myofascial release techniques
  

Pain Management

• Mirror box and graded motor imagery
• Neuroscience education
• Acceptance and Commitment therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural strategies
• Breathing awareness and advice
• Pacing
• TNS
• Acupuncture and ear acupressure beads and needling
• Interdisciplinary work alongside psychologists, pain management physicians, dieticians and stress management physiotherapists

Scars and swelling

• Assessment and advice
• Taping
• Silicone based products
• Compression gloves, sleeves and bandaging
  

Functional Rehabilitation

• Proprioceptive retraining
  
• Functional reactivation
• Ergonomic advice and strategies
• Reintegrating normal movement patterning
• Sport specific strapping and splinting – climbing, rugby, basketball, cricket and field athletics
• Coordination with Return to Work providers and Case Managers
• Workplace visits

Post surgical Rehabilitation

• Close working relationships with your surgeon
• Post-operative protocols for best outcomes
• Wound care and swelling management
• Casting and splinting
• Graded exercises for movement
• Strengthening and functional rehabilitation
  

Nerve compressions

• Assessment, advice and education
• Ergonomic advice
• Splinting
• Nerve glides and sliders
  

Strengthening

• Advice on loading, or reintroducing activities
• Resisted exercises
• Gym based programmes
• Sport specific exercise prgrammes
• Hydrotherapy
  

Hand & wrist arthritis

• Joint protection advice and education
• Splinting for pain management
• Specific and graded strengthening exercises
• Local therapy
• Advice on other strategies
  

Musicians

• Movement analysis and awareness
• Instrument specific stretching and strengthening programmes
• Myofascial release techniques
• Postural awareness
  

​Frequently Asked Questions About Hand Therapy​

• What does a hand therapist treat?
  Our hand therapists assess and rehabilitate injuries and conditions affecting the fingers, hand, wrist and elbow. This includes fractures, tendon and nerve injuries, arthritis, persistent pain, swelling and recovery following surgery.

 

• Do I need a GP referral?
  No. You can book directly with In Touch Hand Therapy without seeing your GP first.

 

• Can you lodge an ACC claim for me?
  Yes. If your condition resulted from an accident or injury, we can assess you and lodge an ACC claim at your appointment when appropriate.

 

• Can a hand therapist refer me for an X-ray or ultrasound?
  Yes. When clinically appropriate, our therapists can arrange referrals for diagnostic imaging such as an X-ray or ultrasound.

 

• What happens at my first appointment?
  Your therapist will assess your injury, movement, strength, pain and functional difficulties. Treatment may include advice, exercises, splinting, strapping, swelling management or referral for further investigation.

 

• Do you make hand and wrist splints?
  Yes. We provide custom-made and prefabricated splints for many hand, wrist and elbow conditions. Your therapist will recommend the most appropriate option following assessment.

 

• Where are your hand therapy clinics?
  We provide hand therapy in Wigram, Rolleston, Papanui and Ashburton. You can select your nearest clinic when booking online.

 

• How do I book an appointment?
  You can book online via our website or call us on 03 349 3388. No referral is required.

 

• Can a hand therapist provide a medical certificate?
  No. Our hand therapists do not issue medical certificates for time away from work. Please contact your GP if you require one. With your consent, we can provide your GP with information about your injury, assessment and rehabilitation. We can lodge an ACC injury claim when appropriate, but an ACC claim is not the same as a medical certificate.