Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsConditionsProcedural ExpertiseTraining and CertificationWhy See a CHT?Appointment Tips
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Conditions
Procedural Expertise
Training and Certification
Why See a CHT?
Appointment Tips
A Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) is anoccupational therapist (OT)orphysical therapist (PT)who specializes in the treatment of upper extremity conditions.While OTs and PTs have distinctly different training and roles in rehabilitation, therapists with a CHT credential provide the same type of treatment, regardless of their background. CHTs work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and inpatient rehabilitation centers.
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Certified hand therapists treat a variety of conditions of themusculoskeletal systemandnervous systemthat affect the function of the hand and arm.
Examples include:
Treatment for Mild to Severely Locked Trigger Finger
CHTs use a variety of treatment interventions to help decrease pain and improve function in people with upper extremity injuries or conditions. These can include:
Before a person can become a certified hand therapist, they must first be a physical therapist or occupational therapist for a minimum of three years. During that time, the therapist must accumulate at least 4,000 hours of direct practice in hand therapy treating people with upper extremity conditions or injuries.
Once these qualifications have been met, the therapist must take a comprehensive test that focuses on advanced clinical skills and theory in the treatment of the upper quarter (the hand to the neck).
After a therapist becomes a CHT, they must continue to obtain continuing education and practice in the field of hand therapy to apply for recertification every five years.
There are around 6,600 CHTs in the United States and just over 7,000 worldwide. Of these, 87% are occupational therapists, while only 12% are physical therapists. One percent have dual licensing as both an OT and a PT.
Occupational therapists and physical therapists are trained to treat basic hand conditions as part of their education. However, more complex injuries, such as tendon lacerations, crush injuries, and complex finger fractures require specialized interventions that follow specific treatment protocols.Certified hand therapists typically treat people with these types of injuries.
CHTs also have additional skills, such as the fabrication of dynamic splints, that general healthcare providers do not typically have. Because they treat complex injuries, CHTs often work very closely with hand surgeons, sometimes in the same office.
Find a CHT
CHTs can also be located usingthis directoryon the American Society of Hand Therapists' website.
At your first appointment, your CHT will perform an evaluation. This includes a thorough history of your injury or condition, as well as a review of other medical conditions that could impact your healing process.
A physical exam is then performed, which often includes range of motion measurements and strength testing. For certain diagnoses, such as a tendon or nerve repair, your first visit might also include the fabrication of a splint out of thermoplastic material.
Your therapist will discuss your goals with you and develop a treatment plan, which might include several treatment sessions per week, as well as a home exercise program.
Treatment sessions usually last between 60 to 90 minutes, but this will vary depending on your specific needs. Duration of treatment also depends on your diagnosis; treatment can be as short as a few visits or last more than a year.
Summary
A certified hand therapist (CHT) is an occupational therapist or physical therapist who has undergone additional training in treating injuries and conditions that affect the upper extremity. Before a therapist can become a CHT, they must have three years of clinical experience and 4,000 hours of direct treatment of upper extremity conditions.
To obtain the CHT credential, a therapist must pass a comprehensive exam. CHTs treat various conditions that affect the musculoskeletal and nervous systems.
A Word From Verywell
If you’ve had hand surgery, your healthcare provider will likely send you to a CHT for follow-up treatment if one is available in your area.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hand Therapy Certification Commission.Who is a certified hand therapist (CHT)?Hand Therapy Certification Commission.Scope of practice and domains of hand therapy.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand therapist: what is a CHT, OT, or PT?
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hand Therapy Certification Commission.Who is a certified hand therapist (CHT)?Hand Therapy Certification Commission.Scope of practice and domains of hand therapy.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand therapist: what is a CHT, OT, or PT?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Hand Therapy Certification Commission.Who is a certified hand therapist (CHT)?Hand Therapy Certification Commission.Scope of practice and domains of hand therapy.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand therapist: what is a CHT, OT, or PT?
Hand Therapy Certification Commission.Who is a certified hand therapist (CHT)?
Hand Therapy Certification Commission.Scope of practice and domains of hand therapy.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand therapist: what is a CHT, OT, or PT?
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