Empowering Independence: Adaptive Tools for Managing Hand and Upper Limb Arthritis

Collage of 2 pictures opening a bottle without an aid and with an aid.

Arthritis is a condition that affects millions worldwide, bringing with it a host of challenges that can significantly impact daily life (Sayyid, R., Uthman, I., 2015). The effects of arthritis vary widely, ranging from joint pain and stiffness to weakness and limitations in independence. While arthritis and hand arthritis is currently incurable, there are proactive […]

Does Private Health Insurance Cover Hand Therapy?

Hand therapist receptionist performing a health insurance rebate for a happy customer

In Australia, as you may know, health insurance hasdifferent tiers – Basic Hospital cover as the bare minimum, Bronze, Silver, and Gold cover. The higher the tier, the more surgeries, chronic illnesses,preventative procedures, mental health treatment, and fertility procedures (such as IVF) are covered. Of course, this costs more per month or year as a […]

Tennis Elbow – Facts and Treatment Options

Male tennis player about to make a shot from the back line, putting stress on his bent elbow.

Tennis Elbow Symptoms: Tennis elbow is also known as lateral elbow tendinopathy, tendinosis or lateral epicondylitis (in the acute phases). Tennis elbow is characterised by elbow pain on the outside of the bony part of the elbow and often results in grip weakness. This can be due to injury or tendon weakening where the common […]

Is it really Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or could it be a hidden Pronator Syndrome?

Tingling, numbness, burning or sharp/electric pain to the forearm or hand are relatively common symptoms. This may indicate a nerve compression problem. A nerve that is not functioning well or conducting messages properly might be swollen, stretched or void of blood supply. If you have ever had any tingling or numbness in the hand you […]

How we select an appropriate thumb arthritis splint

There are many factors that go into choosing an appropriate thumb splint. Key considerations such as the significance of the thumb pain, degree of arthritic change and when the splint is to be worn will aid a therapist and their decision making process. Splints for the thumb can be categorised into ‘functional’ splints or ‘resting’ […]

Mindfulness… helping chronic upper limb pain

Recently, SA Hand Therapy has had the pleasure of having Daniel, a final-year Master of Occupational Therapy student from Flinders University, Adelaide. He has spent the past eight weeks completing his second clinical placement with us at our Adelaide, Daw Park, and Mawson Lakes clinics, seeing a range of clients with our experienced staff. Daniel […]