www.dailyadvertiser.com.au Weekend Advertiser, Saturday and Sunday, June 8 and 9, 2013 – 31

Meet Riverina Hand Therapy’sfriendly therapists & staffYOUR HANDS INTHEIR HANDS:Riverina HandTherapy’s fourtherapists (top, fromleft) Amy and Louiseand (middle, fromleft) Holly and Sarah.They will be joined bynew therapist Ashleenext week.

WELCOME TORIVERINA HANDTHERAPY: (below,from left) RiverinaHand Therapy’sadministration staffJanet, Jeremy andCaitlin.

Riverina Hand Therapymarks a first for AustraliaEXPECT to hear a lot more aboutHand Therapists in coming years.

A small but growing profession inAustralia, the Australian HandTherapy Association (AHTA) nowhas over 400 members, and for thefirst time this year is celebratingHand Therapy Week alongside itsUnited States colleagues.

“The executive committee of theAHTA has been working for anumber of years to launch HandTherapy Week, and here at RiverinaHand Therapy we are very pleasedto be able to bring Hand Therapy topublic attention as part of a nationalcampaign,” Principal Hand Therapistand Director of Riverina Hand

Therapy, Amy Geach said.“For this very first Hand Therapy

Week we have been promotingHand Therapy within the communityand via our Facebook page toeducate people about HandTherapy and how it can help them.

“Hand Therapy can be explainedas the art and science ofrehabilitation of the upper limb fromshoulder to hand.

“Hand Therapists evaluate, testand assess the injured upper limb,to design a specific treatmentprogram using a variety ofspecialised treatment techniques.”

Although many regional areascan lack specialist services, Waggais fortunate to have fully qualifiedHand Therapists at Riverina HandTherapy.

During Hand Therapy WeekRiverina Hand Therapy has alsoexpanded its capabilities by addinga new service, Riverina KidsTherapy.

“Paediatric Occupational Therapyassessent and treatment can be ofimmense benefit to children whoneed assistance with play andlearning,” Amy said.

INJURYMANAGEMENT:(left) PrincipalHand Therapistand Director ofRiverina HandTherapy AmyGeach withpatient Geoff whohas beenreceivingtreatment for arecent injury. MAKINGSPLINTS: (right)Hand TherapistAmy Geachconstructsthermoplasticsplints at theclinic.

What is a Hand Therapist?

A Hand Therapist is a qualified occupationaltherapist who has undergone additional training inthe area of hand, wrist, elbow and arm therapy.

What type of patients can see aHand Therapist?

People of all ages see Hand Therapists for alltypes of conditions affecting the hand and upperlimb including:

■ Acute hand, wrist or elbow injuries, for example,dislocated fingers as a result of sport, or thumbligament injuries

■ Chronic conditions such as arthritis■ Tendonitis, such as tennis or golfer’s elbow, or

computer overuse injuries■ Carpal tunnel syndrome, or other nerve

compression problems■ Rehabilitation after hand or upper limb surgery,

fractures, burns or crush injuries■ Lymphoedema, or those at risk of

lymphoedema – for example people who areundergoing breast cancer therapy

■ Reduced play and learning skills, due to, forexample, developmental delay, disability orsensory issues.

How do I make an appointment?

To make an appointment just phone RiverinaHand Therapy on 6925 0157. Referrals are notrequired, but your hand surgeon or other healthpractitioner may refer you to Riverina HandTherapy as part of your treatment program.

What type of treatment doesRiverina Hand Therapy provide?

Riverina Hand Therapy provides comprehensiveassessments and treatments which includesplinting, casting, scar and wound management,and strengthening and exercise programs.

Riverina Hand Therapy can start yourrehabilition from removing your stitches onwards.

Post-surgical wound care and scar managementoptimises recovery and reduces the likelihood ofscars adhering to underlying tendons, whichimproves movement and function.

Riverina Kids Therapy at Riverina Hand Therapyalso offers Paediatric Occupational Therapyassessment and treatment for children withdevelopmental delays with visual perception skills,fine motor coordination and sensory issues.

Riverina Kids Therapy is available for preschool,school and home visits, for children who needassistance with play and learning.

Q&A with Riverina Hand Therapy

What type of patients can see aHand Therapist? What type of treatment does

Riverina Hand Therapy provide?

Hand Therapy WeekJune 3 to 9, 2013

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CLINIC SPACE: (left) (from left) Holly,Louise and Amy working in the mainclinic area.

Riverina Hand Therapy’s modernopen-plan clinic provides a friendly,non-threatening treatment spacewhere splints and other therapeuticdevices can be made on the spot,allowing your treatment plan to beimplemented without delay.

Separate treatment areas are also utilised if private consultationsare required.

As a team, Riverina Hand Therapyaims to provide great outcomes and apositive experience for all its patients.

6925 0157 | Suite 19/325 Edward St,

Wagga Wagga | www.riverinahandtherapy.com.au

Riverina Hand Therapy

• Full assessment of hand,wrist and arm function

• Comprehensive hand andwrist therapy

• Wound and scar management

• Post operative programs• Joint protective advice

THERAPY TREATMENTS