Pilbara Hands

24/10/2024

This week is OT Week and we celebrate 80 years of Connection 🫶

Occupational Therapy is such a broad area of practice and Occupational Therapists can be encountered within a variety of settings at different times in one’s life.

OT’s share the same underpinning focus: supporting people of all abilities to successfully engage in activities (i.e. their occupations) they find meaningful AND it is so wonderful to be in the profession at a time where the blank stares are becoming less 💪🏻💪🏼💪🏽💪🏾💪🏿💪🧡

Occupational Therapy Australia

16/08/2024

Excited to get out the winter warmers and explore current research and evidence with hand specialists and therapists from around the country (and globe!) and reconnect with fellow colleagues.

Thank you Rural Health West for making it possible to be here 🙏

Welcome to Hobart, Tasmania AHTA members and friends. Let the Conference begin!!

03/07/2024

Julio Gonzalez has a broken finger and is wearing a specially-made glove to play at Copa America

09/06/2024

What is a Hand Therapist?

A common question asked of most Hand Therapists and answered well here by the Australian Hand Therapy Association ⬇️⬇️

What is a hand therapy practitioner? We are qualified Occupational therapists and Physiotherapists.

We have undertaken advanced postgraduate upper-limb education and training and are recognised as experts in hand and upper-limb rehabilitation.

We work in public hospitals and private practices in cities and regional and rural towns across Australia.

Surgeons, GPs, physiotherapists and other health professionals refer to us because we provide expert assessment, diagnosis and treatment, reducing recovery time and improving patient outcomes.

We see patients of all ages. We treat trauma, injuries, and conditions affecting joints, tendons, muscles, and nerves, including ligament sprains, inflamed tendons, broken bones, and damaged nerves. We also treat pain and arthritis and manage post-operative wounds, scars, and swelling.

We specialise in custom-made thermoplastic orthoses (or splints) to rest and protect an injury in the long and short term. These may be small splints for the finger or thumb or larger for the wrist or arm.

We prescribe rehabilitation exercises that improve range of motion, strength and function.

We care for our patients and use evidence-based practice to ensure they get the best outcomes so they can return to work, recreation, and life.

We are members of the Australian Hand Therapy Association and embrace lifelong learning.

06/06/2024

ATTENTION: Pilbara Hands Patients (past or present!)

It's competition time!

In celebration of hand therapy week, follow, like, share, tag or comment on the Australian Hand Therapy Association Facebook or Instagram page before 9th June 2024 for your chance to win $500!

Good luck!

06/06/2024

With the winter sporting season upon us, the ball may win the battle, and we are reminded of with the pain associated with the ball hitting our finger in the wrong way! If you experience immediate pain and swelling, it is likely to be more than a jarred finger, and if left untreated can result in a permanently damaged, painful or unstable finger.

Hand Therapists are experts in hand and upper limb rehabilitation and we will get you back in the game quickly and safely, no referral or prior imaging needed!

If you suspect that you may have injured your finger during sport, make an appointment with your local hand therapist today.



Australian Hand Therapy Association Pilbara Hands

05/06/2024

🏃‍♂️🤕 Did you know that seeing an Accredited Hand Therapist (AHT) can make all the difference when it comes to a sports injury of the thumb? AHTs have the expertise and experience to ensure optimal recovery. 🖐️✨

Don't settle for less when it comes to your sport. Choose an AHT and get back to doing what you love, faster and stronger! 💪

For patient information visit our website: https://www.ahta.com.au/patient-info

An AHT is is a registered occupational therapist or physiotherapist who has demonstrated an advanced level of competence; has undertaken over 300 hours of advanced upper-limb education and assessment; has a minimum of 3600 hours in hand therapy clinical practice; has been assessed as qualified and competent to provide safe, evidence-based diagnosis, advice and treatment; and is awarded the credential of Accredited Hand Therapist by the Australian Hand Therapy Association Credentialing Council.

American Society of Hand Therapists
Hand Therapy Certification Commission
Hand Therapy Association of California
Hand Therapy New Zealand
British Association of Hand Therapists
International Federation of Societies for Hand Therapy

05/05/2024

Clinicians have begun to recognize that grip strength relates to overall health. Recent research has linked a decline in grip strength to a range of health issues.

24/04/2024

As we observe Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month this April, it's a poignant moment, especially on the eve of ANZAC Day, to honour the resilience and fortitude of our wounded war heroes.

Featured in this image is Soldier 963 Private John Francis Naughton from Charters Towers, Queensland. His story is profoundly inspiring. Despite facing the challenge of losing both hands, he persists, depicted here writing a letter home, his lips curved upwards in a semblance of a smile. In one of his letters, he recounted, "all eyes were turned on me, because I had to be fed and could not walk."

The limb loss and limb difference community encompasses numerous individuals with extraordinary talents and narratives, underscoring the vital importance of embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion in every facet of life, for everyone.

Let’s make a conscious effort not to stare or pry, but instead, let’s include individuals with limb loss or limb difference just as we would anyone else. 🧡

A wounded Australian soldier, who lost both hands, writing a letter by using the stumps of his wrists to hold the pen, most likely at No 1 Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, England. The soldier is 963 Private John Francis Naughton of Charters Towers, Queensland. A baker prior to enlistment a...

20/04/2024

No, not all fractures will show on X-ray!

🤔This can be especially true for non-displaced fractures (i.e. where the bone hasn't shifted despite having a crack through it).

🧐For this reason, it is important to take clinical assessment findings into consideration without relying solely on X-rays. In some instances, a repeat X-ray 1 to 2 weeks after injury, when bone healing has commenced, can make the fracture visible.

😊If you suspect that you may have broken a bone, despite your initial X-ray showing otherwise, the possibility remains that you may still have a fracture. This is where an experienced hand therapist can help!

25/03/2024

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

It is one of the most common nerve compression injuries affecting the hand and therefore most of us would have either heard of it, known someone with it, or have experienced it ourselves!

The most common symptoms include:
👉 Tingling, numbness or pins and needles in the thumb and fingertips (usually the thumb, index, middle and ring fingers, however, it often feels like the whole hand). This often starts at night and can progress to during the day.
👉 Pain in the wrist and palm, especially when using the hand
👉 Loss of strength
👉 Interrupted sleep, often waking with pain and/or numbness in the hand and wrist

There are many treatment options available to help manage and reduce the symptoms relating to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, however first of all, it is important to make sure that what you are experiencing is in fact Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and not another type of nerve compression impacting the hand.

What can you do?
👉 Don't wait for it to get worse!
👉 Book an appointment with a qualified Hand Therapist
👉 Speak to your GP

Early intervention is key, so if you suspect that you have a nerve-related condition impacting your hand or arm, please reach out to your local Hand Therapist or GP today.

14/03/2024

Neither! The obvious answer. However, unfortunately for some injuries, such as 'mallet finger' or certain finger fractures, that isn't an option.

At Pilbara Hands we specialise in making custom thermoplastic splints that are waterproof, lightweight, and comfortable, making sure your hand function isn't impeded more than it has to be.

Thermoplastic splints are a great, durable alternative to the often ill-fitting pre-fabricated options, and are perfect for our hot and humid climate.

Contact Pilbara Hands to find out about how we can help to make your recovery as comfortable as possible 🫶