Hand Therapist Specialists at Alliance Physical Therapy
Hand Therapy
Alliance Hand Therapy is currently providing care throughout Northern Virginia from our clinics located in Alexandria, Fairfax, Springfield and Woodbridge. Our Hand therapy Program is a specialized treatment program focusing primarily on conditions affecting the hand and upper extremities. Our Certified Hand Therapists have a high degree of specialization that requires several thousands of hours continuing education and advanced certification.
What can HAND THERAPY do for you? ●
Provide preventative , Nonoperative or conservative treatment
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Manage acute or chronic pain
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Provide wound care to include care of open and or sutured wounds (prevention of infection and assistance in healing)
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Control hypertrophic (raised and/or swollen) scars or hypersensitive scars
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Reduce swelling
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Instruct in desensitization and sensory reeducation following nerve injury or trauma
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Fabricate splints for prevention or correction of injury or to protect surgical sites or to increase movement
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Design and implement home exercise programs to increase motion, dexterity, and/or strength
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Train in the performance of daily life skills through adapted methods and equipment
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Conditioning prior to returning to work
What is so special about Certified Hand Therapists? ●
A Certified Hand Therapist (C.H.T.) is an occupational/physical therapist who specializes in the treatment of hands.
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They must have a minimum of 5 years postgraduate experience with at least 4,000 hours in hand therapy and have successfully passed the Hand Therapy Certification Commission exam in order to obtain these credentials.
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CHT’s are dedicated professionals who have a commitment to meet the highest standards of their profession. The hand and arm have an extremely intricate anatomy and complexity. Rehabilitation of the hand and arm requires indepth knowledge and uptodate techniques.
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Certified Hand Therapists have the highest level of competence in the rehabilitation of upper extremity injuries.
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Certified Hand Therapists are able to initiate treatment immediately following surgery often while stitches are still in place. Early referral to a hand therapist is effective in preventing further surgeries and obtaining an optimal outcome.
Services
Our highly skilled hand therapists are proficient in the treatment of hand and upper extremity pathologies, from the acute to the chronic. Under the direction of the referring physician, our team designs each treatment based on the physician's diagnosis and the specific needs of the patient. Conditions treated include, but are not limited to arthritis, fractures, tendon injuries, peripheral nerve injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, crush injuries and repetitive motion disorder. The scope of hand/occupational therapy services offered include: wound and scar management, edema control, pain control, range of motion exercises, work hardening, work stimulation, strengthening, static and dynamic splint fabrication, and dexterity training among others. ●
Custom Splinting
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Wound Care
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Fluidotherapy
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Paraffin Wax
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Edema Management
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Scar Management
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Whirlpool
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Ultrasound
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Iontophoresis
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Sensory reeducation
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Electrical stimulation
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Joint mobilizations
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Dexterity training
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Individualized exercise program
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Patient and family education
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Work hardening/conditioning
Conditions Treated
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Arthritis
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
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Dislocations
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Sprains and Strains
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Nerve Injuries
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Fractures
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Tendonitis
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Tendon Injuries
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Trigger finger
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Lacerations
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Acute and Chronic Pain
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Postsurgical
What is a Certified Hand Therapist? A Certified Hand Therapist (C.H.T.) is an occupational/physical therapist who specializes in the treatment of hands. They must have a minimum of 5 years postgraduate experience with at least 4,000 hours in hand therapy and have successfully challenged the Hand Therapy Certification Commission exam in order to obtain these credentials. CHT’s are dedicated professionals who have a commitment to meet the highest standards of their profession. The hand and arm have an extremely intricate anatomy and complexity. Rehabilitation of the hand and arm requires indepth knowledge and uptodate techniques. Certified Hand Therapists have the highest level of competence in the rehabilitation of upper extremity injuries. Certified Hand Therapists are able to initiate treatment immediately following surgery often while stitches are still in place. Early referral to a hand therapist is effective in preventing further surgeries and obtaining an optimal outcome.
Hand Therapist Specialists ●
Claude Bernard, OTR/L
Claude Bernard graduated from Howard University with a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy in 2013. Prior to earning his masters, he received an Athletic Training degree at Methodist University in 2011. He has gained valuable clinical experience in a variety of settings which include inpatient rehab, acute care, SNIF, mental health hospital, and sports injuries. Upon completion of OT school, he worked alongside his mentor/doctor’s hand therapy clinic where he developed skills in hand therapy, lymphedema therapy, and
pediatric therapy. Working at the hand therapy clinic he has developed the skill to combine comprehensive knowledge of the structure of the upper limb with function and activity using specialized skills in assessment, planning and treatment. His passion has always been with the intricate knowledge and specialization of hand therapy. In his free time, Claude enjoys playing basketball, fitness, traveling, and spending time with family. ●
Diedre Falls, OTR/L
A graduate of Thomas Jefferson Medical College in 1987, Diedre went on to receiving her Hand Therapy Certification (CHT) in 1991. Her vast experience has been in both the inpatient and out patient settings throughout the Northern Virginia area. Her most recent experience includes working directly with 2 local Hand surgeons. Her passion lies in patient care. Diedre enjoys treating all upper extremity conditions as well as post operative cases. She has managed many complex hand injuries. Diedre’s is also a yoga instructor, which allows her to create the ideal rehabilitative environment. She is currently treating patients in our Fairfax Office. ●
Gina Porter, OTR/L
Gina Porter has 26 years of experience as a Hand Specialist. In 1987, she graduated with honors in Occupational Therapy from Indiana UniversityPurdue University at Indianapolis, Indiana. Since then she has worked in a wide variety of clinical settings including outpatient, inpatient, and home health care. Gina is experienced in a broad spectrum of Upper Extremity diagnoses and is particularly skilled in splinting and innovative modalities. While she has also served as the Director of Occupational Therapy at an outpatient rehabilitation center, she finds her passion is in direct patient care and interaction. Before moving to Northern Virginia she worked closely with a orthopedic hand surgeon performing preventative and post surgical therapies. Gina’s interests outside of patient care include hiking, biking, backpacking and other outdoor pursuits. She is also enjoys cooking, travelling, and spending time with her family. ●
Kimberly Hartman, OTR/L, CHT Certified Hand Therapist
Director, Hand Therapy Program at Alliance Rehab. Kim has over 15 years of experience as a licensed Occupational Therapist (OT) with a specialty in Hand Therapy. She graduated from Towson State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy and later went on to attend one of the premiere schools in the nation for Hand Therapy, Drexel University, where she received a postgraduate level certificate in Hand and Upper Quarter Rehabilitation. She combined her academic achievements with over 4000 hours of hand experience to earn her certification in Hand Therapy, after she passed the National Board
examination in 2005. She brings advanced skills in the rehabilitation of hand injuries and will be offering a complete spectrum of rehabilitative services. ●
Taylor Riviere, DPT, OTR/L
Dr. Riviere received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at The University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences in 2015, and is Direct Access Certified. She also received her Masters in Occupational Therapy from The University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences in 2013. She received her B.A. degree in Exercise Science at the University of Saint Augustine in 2011. Following graduation from The University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences, Dr. Riviere moved to Virginia to pursue her dream of working as a therapist and discover life outside of Florida. In her free time she enjoys playing flag football, working out, staying active, and reading.