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.
18/11/2025
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
17/11/2025
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is due to compression of the median nerve within a tunnel in the wrist. The median nerve supplies sensation (feeling) to the thumb, middle and index finger and half of the ring finger.
When increased pressure is placed on the median nerve it can cause numbness, tingling, pain and weakness.
In many people early diagnosis and treatment may prevent the need for surgery.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms book an appointment to see one of our compassionate hand therapists today.
November is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Awareness Month.
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.
Restore Hand Therapy will be closed Melbourne Cup Public Holiday Tuesday 4th November.
We will be back ready to go on Wednesday 5th November.
During this time you can still book your appointments online at restorehands.com.au or leave a message and we will return your call.
Thank you for your understanding 💙
30/10/2025
H A P P Y H A L L O W E E N !
👉 Your fingers have fingertips but your toes don't have toe tips. Yet you can tiptoe but not tip finger.
😂🧟👣🖐💀😂
Have a spooktacular day 👻🖐🧛🧟♀️
28/10/2025
Our lovely team is having a little break to re charge our batteries before the silly season.
We will be back, refreshed and ready to go on Wednesday 6th November.
During this time you can still book your appointments online at restorehands.com.au or leave a message and we will return your call.
Thank you for your understanding 💙
27/10/2025
Getting together in Pink!
We had a lovely team morning tea get together last Thursday to acknowledge 'Breast Cancer Awareness Month' .
It’s more than just wearing a colour—it’s about showing support and spreading awareness.
26/10/2025
Happy National OT Week!
At Restore Hand Therapy we have 2 OT's with specialist training in Hand Therapy.
This year’s theme, Occupational Therapy in Action, invites us to highlight the creativity, problem-solving, and compassion at the heart of OT practice.
So lets take the chance to appreciate the work all OT's do and to help spread awareness around the value of Occupational Therapy within the health profession 🤗
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Restore Hand Therapy posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
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.
