Hand Therapy for Arthritis

Do you have a diagnosis of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis affecting your hands?

Have you been experiencing any of the following problems with your hands as a result of these conditions?

• Pain (mild or severe, and impacting daily life)
• Reduced movement/increased stiffness
• Swelling
• Weakness
• Changes in muscle tone
• Changes in sensation/touch/feeling

If you answered YES to any of these problems, then the DPV Health Arthritis Hand Therapy Program may be for you.

What is the Arthritis Hand Therapy Program?

It is a structured 6-week group program, run once per week, suitable for individuals diagnosed with Osteoarthritis and/or Rheumatoid Arthritis. This program is beneficial for individuals seeking to enhance their quality of life through improved hand mobility and function in a supportive group environment.

This program is delivered by Occupational Therapists and Allied Health Assistants and aims to improve hand function, reduce pain, and support self-management of symptoms.

What will I be doing in the group program?

Each weekly session includes evidence-based interventions such as:

• Paraffin wax therapy to reduce pain and stiffness and increase blood flow
• Manual therapy techniques to increase range of movement
• Guided therapeutic exercises to build hand, wrist and upper limb strength
• Education on joint protection, activity modification, and strategies to manage symptoms independently at home
• Sharing and learning from the experiences of your community peers
• Trialling equipment and aids to assist with activities of daily living

If, after the 6-week program, you wish to continue with seeing the OT for hand therapy, you may choose to attend a fortnightly casual “maintenance” group for further support.

Where is the group located?

The group runs at the following DPV Health Clinics:

Mill Park Clinic: 20 Civic Drive, Mill Park, 3082

Broadmeadows Clinic: 42-48 Coleraine St, Broadmeadows, VIC 3047.

Conditions we cannot treat:

Please note that we do not provide following service or treat following conditions:

• Custom splint fabrication for pain relief or healing support
• Scar management to address scar appearance, sensitivity, or tightness
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (however, can attend if a diagnosis of Arthritis is present).
• De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
• Trigger finger
• Ongoing issues following the initial recovery period of a traumatic hand injury e.g. wrist fracture, burns.

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