WHAT WE OFFER

ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF HAND AND UPPER LIMB PAIN

We are able to provide thorough assessment and intervention for you or your family members acute or chronic hand and upper limb difficulties.  This includes being able to diagnose many pain conditions.  We commonly see: 

• Paediatric (children) conditions, 

• Sports injuries, such as joint injuries and broken bones 

• Nerve injuries and compressions, such as carpal tunnel 

• Tendonitis including hand, shoulder or arm strain 

• Arthritis or painful joints

• Pregnancy or child rearing related hand pain conditions, hand conditions, elbow and shoulder conditions.

FINE MOTOR AND HANDWRITING ASSESSMENTS

Writing effectively is such an important method of communication. We complete handwriting assessments and provide strategies for children who might need help with holding a pencil, forming letters correctly, writing a story, and preparing for exams when older.  We also assist children with fine motor based tasks such as copying from the board, completing puzzles or cutting with scissors. A large component of this area also focusses on children's ability to plan their movements to complete a task.

HAND, WRIST AND ARM THERAPY AFTER SURGERY

After surgery, getting the right therapy is essential to your outcome. We work closely with surgeons to ensure you are provided with the exercises you need, and if you require protection of hand, wrist or upper limb we provide a range of splinting and casting options to allow rest and support. We also assist you with:

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•         Reducing swelling following surgery

•         Managing pain

•         Preventing stiffness

•         Reducing scar tissue

•         Assisting wound care 

•         Improving strength

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THERAPY FOR CHILDREN'S ANXIETY AND STRATEGIES FOR SELF REGULATION

We want children to be happy and confident to be themselves. Sometimes, anxiety can be mild and it can be hard to see the symptoms. We provide support for children and their families to deal with symptoms of anxiety and learn strategies to improve resilience and happiness.  Within this area, this can also include helping children to manage emotions such as anger, frustration, or stress and their behaviour.   We also help with areas such as time management and organisation.

SENSORY PROCESSING ABILITIES

We are all unique and manage inputs from the environment around us differently. Sometimes, the way a child perceives sensory information around them, such as loud noises or the texture of food, can affect how they feel and how they function each day. We provide sensory assessments to identify areas that may be causing difficulty and provide strategies to overcome this.

HELPING CHILDREN WITH HOME ACTIVITIES

We often see children who struggle with completing tasks at home that are important to their role as a child. This can include difficulty sleeping, participating in family routines, eating or getting dressed. We seek to understand the difficulties behind these functional areas and work with families to help children shine and learn independence.

PAIN AND FATIGUE MANAGEMENT

If your child or teenager is in pain or suffering from fatigue we understand that this can greatly impact their ability to enjoy life and participate at school and home. Our education and strategies focus on areas such as activity pacing and scheduling, desensitisation, relaxation, problem-solving, muscular re-education, conditioning and strength.

GROSS MOTOR AND PLAY SKILLS

We work with many children who need a little help developing skills in the areas of postural control, coordination, planning and organising movement, core strength and muscle tone because we understand the impacts this can have on a child's ability to be involved in things like play, using two hands, and catch a ball.

CASTING AND SPLINTING

We have additional training in the prescription and fabrication of custom-made splints and casts for the upper limb. This can include splints required following surgery, or to heal a broken bone. It can also include casting following Botox or to serially cast a joint contracture. We ensure every cast and splint is made to measure, fits well and is comfortable.