4 Things to Ask a Certified Hand Therapist During an Appointment

If you’ve got an appointment coming up with a certified hand therapist, it’s important to ask them as many questions as you can when you see them. The more questions you ask, the more assured you’ll feel about the quality of hand therapy you’ll get. The last thing you want is to leave your appointment without knowing how your hand therapy will go! But what should you ask them?

Here are 4 things to ask your hand therapist during an appointment.

1. How Much Experience Do You Have?

One of the most important topics to discuss with your hand therapist is the amount of experience they have. There’s nothing wrong with seeing a hand therapist who just passed their NBCOT occupational therapy exam—but experience often teaches you things theory simply can’t! Therefore, we recommend opting for an experienced hand therapist as they’ll be more experienced in handling it.

2. How Long Will the Recovery Process Take?

Imagine getting therapy without knowing how long it’ll take to recover. You’ll be stuck in a constant state of anxiety!

It’s also worth asking whether there are any medical devices you can purchase, like custom hand splints, to speed up your recovery.

3. Is My Hand’s Condition Chronic?

It’s important to remember that certain hand conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis are chronic. In other words, you might find there’s no cure and that you’re better off managing the condition instead. Knowing your hand condition will ensure that you get the proper treatment for your hand.

4. What Can I Do to Speed Up the Recovery Process?

If you’ve injured your hand, your hand therapist will give you a certain time frame in which your hand will heal. But what if there are things you can do at home to speed up the recovery process? The only way to know for sure is by asking them!

We recommend asking questions like “how long will it take for my hand to recover?” and “Can I do something to speed up the recovery?”. The answers to these questions will give you tips for improving your hand’s mobility.