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Hand Therapy

We use our hands all day, and for all types of activities. Knowing the amount of use the hand goes through on a daily basis, it is no wonder that injury and chronic pain conditions can develop.

RET’s hand therapy and rehabilitation program offers our patients experienced therapists who work in close collaboration with each patient’s Physician to optimize recovery following upper extremity injury or surgery. We believe that each patient is unique, and we individualize hand therapy treatment plans to meet the functional goals of each patient. Regardless of injury or a chronic pain condition brought on by overuse, hand therapy can return a patient to an active and pain-free life.

Our experienced Occupational Therapists are here to help.

Below you will find a list of common conditions that can be improved with hand therapy:

  • Amputations
  • Arthroplasties and Arthrodesis
  • Arthritis
  • Burns
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
  • De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
  • Dupuytren’s Contractures
  • Flexor & Extensor Tendon injury/repair/transfers
  • Fractures/Dislocations
  • Ganglion Cysts
  • Infections
  • Ligament injuries/Repairs
  • Nail Bed Injuries
  • Nerve Injury/Repair
  • Pain syndromes
  • Sprains/Strains
  • Tendonitis
  • Trauma/Complex Injuries
  • Trigger Finger
  • Wound Care

What is a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)?

Hand therapy is defined as the science and art of assessment and rehabilitation of the upper limbs.

A hand, wrist, or shoulder injury can quickly compromise your quality of life whether it’s accident induced, a symptom of overuse, or has been brought on by a disease.

Our Certified Hand Therapists (CHT) can get to the root of the problem, making adjustments to relieve pain that are well beyond what medicine could do alone.

Certified Hand Therapists have a minimum of five years of advanced clinical skills and therapy, including over 4,000 hours in hand therapy practice, and also have passed a comprehensive test in advanced clinical skills. The CHT credential offers assurance that our therapists have achieved the highest level of competency and maintain their CHT credential through extensive recertification.

Custom Orthoses

Our therapists custom fit hand, elbow and shoulder orthoses that can be remolded as your condition changes. Individual treatment plans can include a combination of wound care, range of motion and strengthening exercises, edema management, scar and soft tissue massage, arthritis management, sensory re-education, joint protection principles and more.

Treatment May Involve Various Therapy Techniques, Including:

  • Manual Therapy
  • Fabrication of Custom Orthosis (Splints)
  • Joint mobilization and manipulation
  • Stretching
  • Instruction in proper body mechanics and posture
  • Functional activities and exercise

The RET PT Difference

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4.9 out of 5 stars across 960+ Google reviews.

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State-of-the-art Facilities

Visit one of our 31 locations to get expert, high quality care now.

Hand Therapy Locations

Bellevue, WA Physical & Hand Therapy

11711 NE 12th St.
Suite 3A
Bellevue, WA 98005
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Burien, WA – Physical & Hand Therapy

275 SW 160th
Suite 105
Burien, WA 98166
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Kirkland – Hand Therapy

12910 Totem Lake Blvd NE
Suite 130
Kirkland, WA 98034
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Puyallup, WA – Summit Physical Therapy

3801 5th St. Southeast
Suite 220
Puyallup, WA 98374
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Seattle, WA – Northgate Physical Therapy

10564 5th Ave NE
Ste 205
Seattle, WA 98125
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Woodinville, WA – Hand Therapy & Physical Therapy

14229 NE Woodinville Duvall Rd.
Suite #025
Woodinville, WA 98072
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • If we are asking you to do something that is hurting too much, let us know! Physical therapy should not be severely painful. It is not common to be so sore that patients are in pain or it affects their daily life. If this ever happens during or after an appointment, let us know and we will adapt your program.

  • We recommend budgeting 40-60 minutes for a typical therapy session. The only exception to this will be your first visit, which can take about 20 minutes longer due to the physical therapy evaluation your therapist will provide. We also recommend showing up about 10-15 minutes early to your first visit. This way, you can complete the paperwork before your visit time and streamline the process.

  • A typical order for physical therapy will ask for 2-3 visits per week for 4-6 weeks. Sometimes the order will specify something different. What generally happens is for the first 2-3 weeks, we recommend 3x per week. This is because it will be the most intensive portion of your treatment. After that, it is common to taper to 2x weekly, based on your level of function and progress.

  • Yes. Physical therapy works based on the science of how the body rebuilds and heals. The biggest killer of progress is inconsistency. We recommend adhering to your prescribed sessions agreed upon in your PT Eval to achieve desired results.

Have more questions? Contact Us

People in Seattle, Tacoma, and surrounding cities Trust RET PT

Hear from patients that reclaimed their lives.

Michelle has been amazing to work with. She quickly diagnosed the root cause of the issues that continued to plague me after recovering from hip replacement surgery that other PT's (different companies) could not. She listens, is creative, resourceful, and very knowledgeable. Everyone at the clinic is always very professional and interested in our progress.

5 stars

Conrac

RET Patient

Attentive, responsive, pleasant in communication, knowledgeable staff. I got good results in a short time. Thankful to Dr. Andrew for useful information and for a program of exercises.

5 stars

Elena

RET Patient

Doug Free, the manager at Mercer Island Physical Therapy, has a PhD in PT, and is an amazing diagnostic doctor who explains why a specific injury occurred. He also does fabulous work on your body. His entire staff is knowledgeable and excellent therapists. 

5 stars

Gary

RET Patient

I saw Anne at 7 weeks post ulnar nerve transposition. I’ve made more progress in 1 week with her than I did in those first 7.  She is extremely knowledgeable and up to date on current research.  I'd feel very good about sending my family and friends her way!

5 stars

Holli

RET Patient

Kelly is amazing! I felt very comfortable and she asked all of the right questions, was super friendly, and knows exactly how to help. I always leave feeling so much better, and confident that if I do my exercises, I will heal!

5 stars

Kelsey

RET Patient

I started PT after a car accident. The staff was extremely helpful not just with injuries from the accident, but also other issues that had been bothering me. They are very good at communicating problems and solutions and are friendly to boot. Can’t recommend enough.

5 stars

Kevin

RET Patient

I have been going to Summit Therapy for a shoulder problem. I've made steady progress and have gotten much pain relief. The staff is very friendly and great to work with. I recently had a sudden problem of vertigo. My therapist knew exactly what to do and performed a treatment that stopped the dizziness.

5 stars

Patricia

RET Patient
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