OT Hand Therapy & Upper Limb Rehabilitation in the UK
Specialist Hand Therapy Services Across the UK
What is Hand Therapy?
OT Hand Therapy & Upper Limb Rehabilitation focuses on the expert treatment of hand and upper limb injuries through occupational therapy. Hand therapy is the clinical management of injuries and conditions affecting the hand, wrist, and upper limb using biomechanical principles and activity-based rehabilitation.
Hand therapy aims to restore:
Movement and joint flexibility
Grip strength
Dexterity and coordination
Hand function and participation in activities
Early intervention is crucial following hand injury or surgery to ensure proper healing and adherence to post-operative protocols. Long-term conditions such as Dupuytren’s contracture, Raynaud’s syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis can also significantly benefit from ongoing occupational therapy-led hand rehabilitation.
The Role of Occupational Therapy in Hand Rehabilitation
Occupational therapists play a vital role in upper limb rehabilitation in the UK, helping individuals regain independence and function in everyday life.
Hand function is essential for:
Grasping and holding objects
Performing personal care tasks
Preparing meals
Completing household activities
Returning to work
Engaging in hobbies and social activities
When pain, stiffness, or injury affects the hand or upper limb, it can have a major impact on quality of life. Our specialist occupational therapists provide tailored rehabilitation programmes to restore function and improve daily living.
Hand Therapy
The role of occupational therapy in the treatment of hand injuries
Whether you’ve recently had surgery or you’re managing a long-term condition like Dupuytren’s contracture, Raynaud’s syndrome or arthritis, early support from a specialist can make a big difference.
Hand function is essential to enable us to hold, grasp and manipulate everyday objects and tools required in our daily lives. Hand injury or medical conditions that result in pain and dysfunction to the upper limb and hand, can significantly affect an individual’s ability to use their hands for everyday tasks. This may result in an individual requiring support with personal care, preparing food and attending to household and domestic tasks or prevent them from returning to work and participating in leisure and social activities.
Consulting a specialist hand therapist will ensure clients receive expert advice and therapeutic intervention to reduce pain and inflammation in the hand, increase joint range of movement and grip strength, thus maximising hand function and dexterity.
Common types of hand injury that occupational therapists are affective at treating
The Rehab Team have a number of specialist hand therapists located across the United Kingdom who are able to provide assessment, rehabilitation, and support for clients with a wide range of hand and upper limb conditions such as:
Brachial Plexus Injury (BPI)
Degloving injuries
Flexor and extensor tendon injuries
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
Dupuytren’s Contracture
Swan neck deformity
Boutonniere deformity
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Arthritis
Fractures
Hand therapists are occupational therapists or physiotherapists that have undergone advanced training in hand and upper limb injuries, specialising in the area of hand rehabilitation. We have a number of highly specialised hand therapists located around the United Kingdom who are experienced in managing acute and long-term hand conditions. Our hand therapists all have access to standardised hand assessment tools and therapeutic resources and are able to fabricate bespoke hand splints in the client’s own home. Our hand therapists also have access to orthotic appliances, such as thumb and wrist supports, should these be required.
Therapy That Fits Around Your Life
One of the things our clients value most is flexibility.
We can see you:
In your own home
In the community
At your workplace
This means your therapy is always relevant to your day-to-day life — helping you make real progress where it matters most.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re dealing with a hand or upper limb issue, you don’t have to manage it alone.
Our team provides expert OT Hand Therapy & Upper Limb Rehabilitation UK services designed to support your recovery every step of the way.
Get in touch today — we’re here to help you move better, feel better, and get back to doing what you love.