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 t
he 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.
04/08/2025
📅 This National Stroke Week, let’s fight stroke together by knowing and understanding the signs of stroke, so you and your loved ones can keep enjoying life’s precious moments during and after recovery.
Acting F.A.S.T can save lives:
😕 Face – check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
💪 Arms – can they lift both arms?
💬 Speech – is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
⌛ Time – is critical.
If you see any of these signs call 000 immediately.
As Occupational Hand Therapists we encourage everyone to learn the F.A.S.T. signs.
Knowing these signs can make all the difference.
01/08/2025
You don’t always need a doctor’s referral to see us.
The earlier you get help, the better your outcome.
We are absolutely delighted to announce we are finalists in the 2025 Federation University Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards!! ⭐️🙌💙
Huge congratulations goes out to all the finalists across all categories.
We are so proud of our achievement and want to thank all of our staff, patients, family and friends for their continued support.
29/07/2025
Be sure to tune in to ABC Ballarat 107.9FM at 4.30pm today and listen to Jen talking about the impact of cold weather on our hands with Prue Bentley on the Drive program today.
A huge shout out to our fellow finalists in the Federation University Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards for the Federation University Health and Wellbeing Business Award 2025.
Congratulations to The Underground Movement and Ballarat Women’s Clinic ⭐️🙌💙
We can’t wait to see you at the Gala Awards Night on August 21!
25/07/2025
Dupuytren's disease, also known as Dupuytren's contracture, is a medical condition that affects the connective tissue in the palm of the hand. This condition is characterised by the formation of thickened, fibrous tissue bands beneath the skin. Over time, these bands can contract, causing the fingers to bend inward toward the palm.
Surgical intervention could include removing the lumps and layer of tissue that affects the finger. The tendons and muscles are not affected but they get caught in the cords that have formed.
Hand therapists help with post-op splinting, wound care, scar massage, exercises, and strength to regain function.
23/07/2025
CRPS is chronic pain that can present in the hand, arm, or feet, and leg. This pain can develop after an injury, surgery, or stroke. Rarely it can occur spontaneously.
The exact cause of CRPS isn't well understood but can include nerve dysfunction and affect how the brain perceives pain and body parts.
CRPS is characterised by changes in skin colour, temperature, and/or swelling and sweating. Pain can be constant and or intense and disproportionate to the cause of injury. But this pain is definitely real.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing CRPS of the upper limb, know that Restore Hand Therapy are here to help and support you.
Reaching out to the lady who called early this morning looking for an appt for her football injured daughter. Your phone cut out and we cant hear your number to call back! SO SORRY, if you see this, can you please call again!
21/07/2025
This week is National Pain Week 21st – 27th July.
Each year, Chronic Pain Australia draws attention to the experience of people living with chronic pain and, by doing so, helps reduce the social and other barriers related to living and managing chronic pain.
At Restore Hand Therapy we are dedicated to providing patients with compassionate care and support, to help manage and alleviate chronic pain.
If you are experiencing upper limb pain please contact us to make an appointment.
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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.
