Hand therapy offers you evidence based treatment that is researched and proven to work. The most crucial part of treatment is knowing which structures and tissues are damaged, only then we can start changing it. We use a wide variety of treatment machines, hands-on techniques and tools to stimulate healing in your tissues. Our medical professionals are trained to guide and help you recover, let us show you how.

Hand therapy offers you evidence-based treatment that is researched and proven to work. The crucial part of treatment is knowing which structures and tissues are damaged, only after diagnosing can we start treatment. We use a wide variety of treatment machines, hands-on techniques and tools to stimulate healing in your tissues. Our medical professionals are trained to guide and help you recover.

Evidence-based treatment

We treat muscle, tendon, nerve and joint pain.

We treat muscle, tendon, nerve and joint pain.

thumb pain treatment, thumb and wrist pain
Hand Therapy - Hand Therapist Elmarie van der Merwe

Hand therapy

Expert hand therapy & treatment for hand, wrist & finger pain

Expert hand therapy & treatment for hand, wrist & finger pain

At our private practice in Garsfontein, Pretoria East, we consult and treat various types of hand injuries. Elmarie is a qualified Occupational Therapist with a postgraduate qualification as a hand therapist. We use the newest technology and treatment programs that’s proven to work. Our practice has a special interest in helping patients relieve their hand pain.

Hand, wrist, finger, thumb pain or injury, can dramatically limit everything you do on a daily basis. You will most likely only realize how important your hands are when you have pain, not to mention the frustration of not being able to use them. As a hand therapist, we aim to improve your pain and get you back to normal as safely and soon as possible.

Hand therapy offers you evidence based treatment that is researched and proven to work. The most crucial part of treatment is knowing which structures and tissues are damaged, only then we can start changing it. We use a wide variety of treatment machines, hands-on techniques and tools to stimulate healing in your tissues. Our medical professionals are trained to guide and help you recover, let us show you how.

Before we treat, we must understand what we’re dealing with…

The foundation for effective treatment is a thorough assessment to determine the severity and limitations caused by your problem. The anatomical structures of your hands are small, intricate and complex.  It requires precision and finesse to restore.

Muscles, tendons, joints and nerves each have a different signs & symptoms to distinguish them from each other. Testing each of these will identify the root cause of your problem.

Treatment we provide

Our medical professionals test and diagnose your problem, then treat it with a variety of hand therapy techniques, machines or splints. Hand therapist treatment can help you with:

  • Treatments without an operation.

  • Help with recent or long-lasting pain.

  • Ease painful feelings from nerve problems.

  • Exercise programs to help with movement and strength.

  • Protect an injured bone, tendon, or ligament, or surgical repair.

  • Prevent or improve stiffness.

  • Get you back to work, school & sports.

  • Help with your recovery after surgery.

We can help you too

Some common problems that we treat on a daily basis include fractures, tendon repairs, arthritis, stiff hands or fingers, trigger fingers, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel and weakness. Here’s some of the effects you can expect from our treatment:

  • Monitor and treat wounds

  • Soften scars

  • Help nerves glide

  • Improve tendons slides

  • Reduce swelling

  • Decrease pain

  • Ease stiff joints

  • Increase grip strength

Skilled | Experienced | Qualified

Nonsurgical treatment for hand, wrist & finger pain

Non-surgical treatment for hand, wrist & finger pain

If you’re suffering from pain after a fall, trauma or even surgery, you’ve come to the right place. Hand therapy treats all kinds of injury and damage to the tissues in your hands, wrist, fingers and elbow.

If you’re suffering from pain after a fall trauma or even surgery, you are at the right place. Hand therapy treats all kinds of injury and damage to the tissues in your hands, wrist, fingers and elbow. Sign up for treatment today.

Hand Therapist - Elmarie van der Merwe

Hand treatment

If you are unsure and want to chat about how hand therapy can work for you – just give us a call or drop us a WhatsApp message. You’ve got nothing to lose and so much to gain.

Wrist pain treatment through stabilisation

TENS

Using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a great medium to achieve decreased pain as well as increase function and range of motion. We use TENS for a variety of different diagnosis and have seen great results from our patients. TENS does not hurt and gives maximum relieve and function.

Scar tissue management

After trauma or surgery the body naturally heals by creating scar tissue. In the hand any formation of scar tissue can reduce or restrict movement as scar tissue can grow onto the structures underneath. Adequate scar tissue formation and scar healing is very important to ensure that the scar does not cause any problems. Hypertrophic or keloid scarring can cause pain and other problems. We use different scar management techniques to ensure normal/”healthy” scar formation. It is important to commence scar management within the first 3 months of scar formation (earlier is always better) to ensure the best possible outcome.

Active exercises

To regain range of motion and strength it is important to follow a graded exercise program. We individualise exercise programs for each of our patients to assist with improving the original problem. We are trained to analyze the pattern of movement as well as the resistance and the frequency needed to regain the range and strength. Your unique exercise program will enable you to achieve what is needed to ensure optimal function and use of your hand.

Splinting

We make custom splints using a material called low temperature thermoplastic. Splints are made to fit the finger/hand/wrist perfectly as it is molded to the individuals own finger. We melt the plastic and custom fit the splint. Meaning that the sky’s the limit in terms of possibilities of fit and function. Using simple physics to assess the 3 point force needed for adequate pressure we custom make the splints to ensure it works for you.

Faster recovery

Progress faster with a tailored program to accelerate your recovery, don’t just wait for it to get better. There is a lot we can do.

Hands-on treatment

The power of healing is knowing what your tissue needs to recover as fast as possible.

Accurate Diagnosis

An expert that only works with hands – the best medical advice that’s suitable for your problem.

Customized splint

A custom splint molded to your unique hand, for maximum protection and comfort.

Prognosis

Follow a treatment program that’s proven to work. Research & evidence based. Know what to expect.

Get back to work safe!

You don’t want to be the one holding back the team.

A vital role of treatment is testing the level at which you are able to function. The injury might seem small, but the capacity for you to do your work fast and on time, requires speed, dexterity and fine motor co-ordination. As part of the treatment program we can report on when you’ll be able to return to your work safely.

In a low stress way, you we will gradually build up your strength and endurance to handle the task in your work environment.

Treatment is a process – work, school and sports must take the back seat during the first phase of recovery. We’ll guide you when it’s ready to take on bigger tasks & challenges.  Healing must not be rushed – or you could end up causing more harm than good.

Swelling management

We aim to reduce swelling in the hand as quickly as possible as the swelling in the hand restricts movement, causes compression on nerves and leads to stiffness and the inability to use the hand in functional activities. Using pressure garments, oedema wrapping, kinesio tape, manual oedema massaging and many other modalities will assist in decreasing the swelling in the fingers, hand, wrist and forearm. We are specially trained to make and apply all the different treatment modalities to assist you in decreasing the swelling you experience.

Nerve gliding

When nerve compression is present it is of utmost importance to do the correct nerve gliding and sliding exercises to ensure that the compression is limited and does not lead to the nerve being so compressed that the muscles die. There are three main nerves in the upper limb, each of them have a different path and innervates different muscles. Gliding exercises are specific to each nerve and it is important to consult a therapist to ensure that the correct exercises are performed.

Passive joint mobilisation

After an injury or trauma to a finger or hand, stiffness is one of the greatest concerns and limitations for patients. We use passive joint mobilisation to increase the range of motion and ensure long lasting function and improvement.

Laser

A high power low level laser is perfect for stimulating tissue healing especially tendons and nerves. Laser beam can be used inn a wide range of conditions due to it’s ability to be targeted at just the right depth with needle point accuracy.  By altering the cell membrane to allow more nutrients into a damaged cell, we can accelerate healing.