HAND THERAPY
ADVANCED PEDIATRIC HAND THERAPY FOR CHILDREN IN CENTRAL TEXAS
Our pediatric hand therapy program is specifically designed to help your child RECOVER from injury by making protective custom orthoses, using therapeutic exercises, and teaching them how to adapt and deal with activities of daily living given their hand or upper extremity injury.
OUR PEDIATRIC HAND THERAPY PROCESS INCLUDES:
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An initial evaluation where we determine any splinting or therapeutic needs for your child
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On-site fabrication of a custom splint when necessary
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Follow up appointments for any splint modifications or progression of therapeutic exercises when needed
MEET KAREN
HELPING AUSTINITES
Karen Ayala, MS, OTR/L, CHT provides occupational therapy and hand therapy services at CTPO.
Her mission is to provide meaningful, evidence-based therapeutic exercises and activities to help children recover full function of activities in daily life, school, sports or leisure activities after an upper extremity injury.
What IS
HAND THERAPY?
Hand therapy is the art and science of evaluating and treating injuries and conditions of the upper extremity (shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist and hand).
Hand therapists also create custom orthoses (splints) to support and protect upper extremity injuries as they heal. Hand therapists can help bridge the gap from the medical management of a patient’s injury or condition to a successful recovery, allowing the patient to function normally in their daily lives.
WHO ARE CERTIFIED HAND THERAPISTS?
Hand therapists like Karen are licensed or registered occupational therapists or physical therapists who, through advanced study and experience, specialize in treating individuals with conditions affecting the hands and upper extremity.
To obtain the CHT credential, a hand therapist must practice as an OT or PT for a minimum of five years, accumulating at least 4,000 hours of hand and upper extremity experience. Hand therapists must also pass a rigorous certification examination to demonstrate their competency in the practice of hand therapy.
