Hand therapy clinic to treat injuries, pain, trauma, tendonitis, fractures and scars in the arms and hands - offered by Occupational Therapists
Jen Kaess grew up and Ballarat and after studying in Melbourne and gaining experience and expertise at multiple other centres both in Metro Melbourne, regionally and internationally before setting up in private practice in Ballarat. After working in a local clinic for many years, she decided that it was time to venture out on her own, to offer unique and compassionate Hand Therapy services to the people of Ballarat and surrounds. With a clear goal of offering exceptional customer service, excellent and evidenced based therapeutic intervention in a welcoming and supportive environment the location of Restore Allied Health was selected and she has worked very hard to ensure the team are exceeding this goal. We are so lucky that Rachael Leigh joined the team to be our Office Manager to keep the whole place running smoothly. Restore Hand therapy is offered by Jen Kaess as the principal Occupational therapist. Karen Goodwin and Emma Allan also provide exceptional Hand Therapy services at Restore Hand Therapy. Jen is also an Accredited Hand therapist as awarded by the AHTA, and has achieved the internationally recognised Certified Hand Therapist status. The therapists are experienced in Acute and long term hand and upper limb splinting. Jen is also experienced in Dry Needling. Restore Hand therapy offers a sports clinic on Monday afternoons to see people who have sustained finger, hand, wrist and elbow injuries at sport over the weekend. We endeavor to support our patients to continue to play sport safely with appropriate bracing, taping and education if at all possible, while they recover. Karen Goodwin is a kind and experienced OT with with many years of experience in pain management, arthritis and other degenerative condition care and her practical and caring intervention. Emma Allan has recently joined and has a passion for Hand therapy for almost a decade now. She is loving the teams experience and comes with a creative, driven and dynamic style to work with patients to get their best outcomes. Both Emma and Karen are participating in formal hand therapy extended education and get frequent mentorship from Jen and each other, so you will always get the benefit of all of the teams experience. Degenerative, overuse, trauma, surgical, arthritic and pain conditions of the hand and arm are expertly assessed and managed with care, compassion and skill, to maximise function and minimise pain and scaring in a timely and supportive way, to help our patients reach their goals and continue to function as quickly as possible. We primarily use Woodcast for splinting. Woodcast is a biodegradable and sustainable splinting material with all the properties of the thermoplastics we have used for decades but will become compost within a couple years if left in the garden.
16/01/2026
How can Scar Therapy help?
👉🏻 Minimise scarring from the surgical removal or repair of spots, burns, grafts and other wounds both big and small.
👉🏻 Reduce common symptoms, such as pain and sensitivity.
👉🏻 Stimulate change to scar tissue on the skin surface, and to adhesions or fibrosis in the underlying tissue.
👉🏻Promote functional and cosmetic improvements after surgery or injury that creates scar tissue.
If you’d like to make an appointment with Jen to discuss your scar concerns please call our friendly team on 5303 0333
15/01/2026
Our Clinic is having an extra long weekend incorporating the Australia Day public holiday.
Open as usual from Tuesday 27th January.
If you need to make an appointment please book online or phone the clinic on 5303 0333 and leave a message, and we will get back to you.
The RESTORE Scar Therapy method is used in NHS hospital settings as well as cancer support centres and private practices across the world.
Jennifer Kaess is a certified RESTORE Scar Therapy Practitioner. Jen is now equipped with a wide range of manual techniques to treat any kind of scar, enhancing her ability to deliver effective, personalised care after injury or surgery to any part of the body.
How can Scar Therapy help?
👉🏻 Minimise scarring from the surgical removal or repair of spots, burns, grafts and other wounds both big and small.
👉🏻 Reduce common symptoms, such as pain and sensitivity.
👉🏻 Stimulate change to scar tissue on the skin surface, and to adhesions or fibrosis in the underlying tissue.
👉🏻Promote functional and cosmetic improvements after surgery or injury that creates scar tissue.
If you’d like to make an appointment with Jen to discuss your scar concerns please call our friendly team on 5303 0333
12/01/2026
We are always so excited to meet our patients fur babies and we were lucky enough to meet Jo Jo who is a guide dog puppy in training 💙🐶
Can't wait to see you next time Jo Jo.
12/01/2026
The RESTORE Scar Therapy method is used in NHS hospital settings as well as cancer support centres and private practices across the world.
Jennifer Kaess is now a certified RESTORE Scar Therapy Practitioner. Jen is now equipped with a wide range of manual techniques to treat any kind of scar, enhancing her ability to deliver effective, personalised care after injury or surgery to any part of the body.
How can Scar Therapy help?
👉🏻 Minimise scarring from the surgical removal or repair of spots, burns, grafts and other wounds both big and small.
👉🏻 Reduce common symptoms, such as pain and sensitivity.
👉🏻 Stimulate change to scar tissue on the skin surface, and to adhesions or fibrosis in the underlying tissue.
👉🏻Promote functional and cosmetic improvements after surgery or injury that creates scar tissue.
If you’d like to make an appointment with Jen to discuss your scar concerns please call our friendly team on 5303 0333
11/01/2026
Our Hand Therapists at Restore have a trusted relationship with the Silver Ring Splint Company to measure patients for silver ring splints.
Jen has been working with the US based company for over 20 years to provide patients solutions to long term joint deformities such as Swan Neck, Boutonniere deformity & chronic finger joint instability (such as with EDS, hEDS).
Book an appointment today to discuss a fitting for Silver RIng Splints. Please call the clinic on 5303 0333 or book online at www.restorehands.com.au
09/01/2026
Upper limb recovery after a stroke, brain injury or cerebral palsy takes time — and expert guidance.
Whether it's been weeks, months or even years, it’s never too late to improve.
We help with:
🧠 Stroke recovery
🚗 Acquired brain injury (e.g. car crash, fall, bleed)
👶 Cerebral Palsy in children or adults
💪 Managing tone, spasticity, weakness and coordination
🖐️ Preventing contractures and maximising function
👐 Our therapy supports:
✅ Active movement and motor relearning
✅ Tone management
✅ Functional task training
✅ Splinting to maintain or improve position
✅ Home exercise programs that make sense
💬 We work with NDIS, TAC, My Aged Care and private clients.
Reach out for an individual plan tailored to your goals. Call 5303 0333 to book an appointment and see one of our compassionate hand therapists.
07/01/2026
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) is a condition that results in deterioration of the tendon fibres that attach to the bone at the outside of the elbow. Tendons do not stretch easily and are susceptible to degeneration under repeated or traumatic stress. Playing racquet sports is only one cause of Tennis Elbow.
Lateral Epicondylitis is most common in people aged 30 – 50. The most common causes are chronic or repeated stress to the forearm muscles or direct trauma (hit to the elbow) and sometimes there is no clear cause.
People can experience severe burning pain or tenderness at the outside of the elbow/forearm. Pain that increases with movement, prolonged rest or when pressure is applied to the elbow.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms book an appointment to see one of our compassionate hand therapists today.
Jen opened Restore Hand Therapy in 2018. She has been a practicing hand therapist for over 26 years. She has achieved the highest clinical recognition of her skills by gaining Accredited Hand Therapy status (AHTA) and the internationally recognised Certified Hand Therapy designation (USA). She is passionate about working with her patients to achieve their goals in a compassionate and connected evidence-based way. (*as awarded by AHTA)
FUN FACT ABOUT JEN!
Jen is a passionate crafter. You may see some of her ceramic and leather work creations on display at the Clinic.
Please call our friendly reception staff on 5303 0333 to book an appointment with Jen.
At Restore Hand Therapy our team can evaluate and help manage a wide range of upper limb issues to help patients regain maximum use of the affected area after injury, surgery or the onset of disease or pain.
Our therapists utilise their advanced skills to help manage wounds, pain, dysfunction and are experts at custom thermoplastic splints and cast fabrication.
If you would like to know more about the services provided at Restore Hand Therapy please visit
visit www.restorehands.com.au or phone 03 5303 0333
29/12/2025
It's such a hot summer here in Ballarat! So don't let a broken arm stop your fun!
We can replace plaster casts or back slabs if your Dr says OK and the fracture is stable.
Please call or book via the website and we can make sure you get the most suitable option and get you back in the water asap!
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Jen Kaess grew up and Ballarat and after studying in Melbourne and gaining experience and expertise at multiple other centres both in Metro Melbourne, regionally and internationally before setting up in private practice in Ballarat. After working in a local clinic for many years,eh s decided that it was time to venture out on her own, to offer unique and compassionate Hand Therapy services to the people of Ballarat and surrounds.
With a clear goal of offering exceptional customer service, excellent and evidenced based therapeutic intervention in a welcoming and supportive environment the location of Restore Allied Health was selected and she has worked very hard to ensure the team are exceeding this goal. We are so lucky that Rachael Leigh joined the team to be our Office Manager to keep the whole place running smoothly.
Restore Hand therapy is offered by Jen Kaess as the principal Occupational therapist. Fiona Orton and Renee Rock also work with Restore Hand Therapy. BOth Fiona and Renee also provide Hand Therapy services at Ballarat Health Service- All therapists at Restore Hand Therapy have earned the highest level of recognition in Australia as an Accredited Hand therapist as awarded by the AHTA, and all therapists have achieved the internationally recognised Certified Hand Therapist status. The therapists are experienced in Acute and long term hand and upper limb splinting. Jen and Fiona are also experienced in Dry Needling.
Restore Hand therapy offers a sports clinic on Monday afternoons to see people who have sustained finger, hand, wrist and elbow injuries at sport over the weekend. We endeavor to support our patients to continue to play sport safely with appropriate bracing, taping and education if at all possible, while they recover.
Degenerative, overuse, trauma, surgical, arthritic and pain conditions of the hand and arm are expertly assessed and managed with care, compassion and skill, to maximise function and minimise pain and scaring in a timely and supportive way, to help our patients reach their goals and continue to function as quickly as possible.
We primarily use Woodcast for splinting. Woodcast is a biodegradable and sustainable splinting material with all the properties of the thermoplastics we have used for decades but will become compost within a couple years if left in the garden.
