Hand therapy: Targeted treatment plans to get back to doing what you love.

Whether you're dealing with an injury, recovering from surgery, or just noticing that your grip isn’t what it used to be, hand therapy can help you feel better and move better. In this post, we’ll walk through what hand therapy is, what conditions it treats, and what to expect if you decide it’s time to get help.

Hand therapy is a specialized type of rehabilitation that focuses on the fingers, hands, wrists, and elbows. It’s designed to restore strength, mobility, and function through targeted, individualized care.

You might benefit from hand therapy if you’re experiencing:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

• Trigger finger

• Tendon or nerve injuries

• Wrist or elbow fractures

• Arthritis in the hands or wrists

• Post-surgical stiffness or scarring

• Tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow

• Repetitive strain injuries

• Dupuytren’s contracture

• Hand or arm weakness after stroke

Each of these conditions can limit your ability to function normally, but hand therapy offers a non-invasive way to regain control and ease discomfort. You don’t need to wait until it gets worse—early treatment often leads to better outcomes.

Learn more about these conditions at the American Society of Hand Therapists or PubMed Health.

What to expect during a hand therapy session

Every hand therapy plan is built around your needs, goals, and lifestyle. At our clinic, you’ll work one-on-one with Certified Hand Therapist Elizabeth Soika, who brings years of specialized experience and a compassionate, personalized approach to care.

A typical session may include:

• Therapeutic exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and coordination

• Manual therapy to address joint stiffness and restore range of motion

• Splinting or taping for support and pain relief

• Soft tissue massage, heat/cold therapy, or neuromuscular re-education

• Functional training to improve common daily movements like gripping, buttoning, or typing

• A custom home program to continue making progress between visits

These sessions are focused, hands-on, and goal-oriented—because the goal isn’t just to feel better, it’s to function better.

Why choose us?

At our therapist-owned practice, you’ll never be rushed or passed around between providers. Instead, you’ll work with the same skilled therapist in a quiet, supportive environment—without the long waitlists or crowded clinics you might find elsewhere.

That personal attention leads to:

• Faster scheduling

• More consistent progress

• Quicker return to your daily activities

If you’ve had surgery, are dealing with an old injury, or just feel like your hands aren’t working like they used to, it’s worth exploring how hand therapy can help you feel more confident and capable again.

FAQs

Do I need a referral to start hand therapy? Not right away. Under Florida’s Direct Access Law, you can begin physical therapy without a physician’s referral for the first 30 days.

How long will it take to see results? Many patients begin to feel improvement within a few sessions. Your exact timeline depends on your condition and how long it’s been bothering you.

Will my insurance cover hand therapy? Most insurance plans cover hand therapy, especially if medically necessary. We can help you check your benefits and get started.

Ready to get started?

Hand therapy can make a big difference in your comfort, confidence, and ability to move through your day with ease. If you'd like to learn more, call us at (904) 388-1300 to schedule a consultation or ask a question. We’re here to help you heal—and get back to using your hands without pain.