Hand Therapy Secrets | Helping Occupational Therapist Become Experts

Episodes

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  Distal Radius Rehab: What They Don't Teach You in School 15.08.2026 14m

  I recently consulted with a patient who had a nondisplaced radial styloid fracture—but as she told me how she had been immobilized, I immediately started asking questions.
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  SL Ligament Injury | The Clinical Reasoning Behind Evaluation and Treatment 08.08.2026 21m

  What if the MRI isn't telling the whole story? Let's talk about a real patient case as we break down the critical thinking behind persistent wrist pain and why looking beyond the wrist can change your treatment approach.
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  Distal Radius Fractures | The Healing Timeline Every Therapist Needs to Know 01.08.2026 15m

  Distal radius fracture rehab isn't just about waiting for the bone to heal. It's about knowing when to progress motion, how to teach exercises correctly, and recognizing that the elbow and shoulder can limit wrist recovery.
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  Phalanx Fracture with Pins | What Every Therapist Needs to Know Before Treating 25.07.2026 14m

  What do you do when a patient comes in just days after surgery for a finger fracture? I take you through my entire thought process—from deciding what orthosis to fabricate to determining when it's appropriate to begin gentle range of motion. Understanding why you're making each decision is just as important as knowing what to do.
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  3 Things Every Therapist Should Address After Dupuytren's Release 18.07.2026 13m

  What are the first things you should assess after a Dupuytren's release? Let's walk through the 3 things every therapist should address when it comes to evaluating and treating patients after a Dupuytren's release.
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  Treating Distal Radius Fractures | Anatomy, Stiffness & Recovery 08.07.2026 45m

  A patient came in with a distal radius fracture and an ulna styloid fracture. One of the first questions they asked was: "Why did they only fix one of the bones?" Questions like these come up all the time in hand therapy, and when you understand the anatomy and the reasoning behind the injury, you're able to educate your patients, build trust, and make better treatment decisions.
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  The Step-By-Step Plan I'd Follow to Get Into Hand Therapy 01.07.2026 16m

  If I had to start over and break into hand therapy today, here's exactly what I'd do. Learn the three steps that can help you stand out to employers and build confidence faster.
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  Here's How to Study Wrist Fractures on the CHT Exam 27.06.2026 17m

  If distal radius fractures overwhelm you, you're not alone. In this episode, I’ll tell you how to break wrist fractures into manageable concepts so you can think critically, make better clinical decisions, and feel more confident on the CHT exam.
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  The Real Reason You Don't Feel Confident as a Hand Therapist 24.06.2026 17m

  Memorizing protocols might help you pass a test, but it won't help you think through real patient cases. I'll explain why true confidence in hand therapy comes from understanding principles and developing strong clinical reasoning—not just following a protocol.
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  When a Patient Case Doesn't Make Sense — Use This Framework 20.06.2026 14m

  What do you do when a patient case doesn't make sense? Let's walk through a real distal radius fracture case and show you the framework I use to think critically, gather the right information, and make confident clinical decisions.
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  Thinking about becoming an Occupational Therapist? Don't miss this specialty 17.06.2026 13m

  Never heard of hand therapy? You're not alone. Let's discuss why so many OT students miss exposure to this specialty and how you can start exploring it for yourself.
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  Why Your Carpal Tunnel Treatments Aren't Working (here's what to do) 13.06.2026 13m

  Not all carpal tunnel cases are actually wrist problems. Let's talk about how to find the true source of the symptom so you can stop chasing symptoms and start getting better results.  
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  The First Decision Every Future CHT Must Make | How to Start Your CHT Journey 10.06.2026 20m

  You know you want to become a Certified Hand Therapist... Now what? Let's talk about how to decide between diving head first into your journey or taking a slower approach that builds confidence along the way.
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  Nerve Injuries | The Framework That Makes Them Easier to Treat 06.06.2026 18m

  Nerve injuries sound intimidating, but they don't have to be. Let's go through the framework that can help you treat them.
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  Stop Struggling With Your Cases | The 2 Frameworks Every Therapist Needs 03.06.2026 34m

  Hand therapy can feel overwhelming. There's so much to memorize, so many protocols, and every patient is a little different. I've been there. That’s why I created 2 frameworks that can help you get through your patient cases.
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  Finger Amputation? What Every Hand Therapist NEEDS to Know 30.05.2026 16m

  When a finger amputation patient comes in with severe pain and guarding, don't just focus on the wound, focus on the nerve. Let's discuss.
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  Can a COTA Become a Hand Therapist?... Here's the Reality 27.05.2026 16m

  I had an COTA ask me recently, "Can I really work in hand therapy?" My answer was yes. But I also told her the truth: you have to be willing to learn. If you're a COTA, here's what you need to do.
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  What to Say When Your Patient Pushes Back || Wrist Ligament Breakdown 23.05.2026 26m

  You don't have to just follow the doctor's orders when you know a different approach will better serve your patient. Here's how you handle pushback with confidence.
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  You Don't Need a Formal Program to Become a CHT (here's what you actually need) 20.05.2026 19m

  Becoming a certified hand therapist might feel out of reach if you don't treat hand patients every day, but the path is more accessible than you think. Your current experience qualifies, you don't need a formal program, and adding hand therapy knowledge will only make you more effective with the patients you already love to treat. Let's go through the full breakdown on where to start and how to prepare.
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  Your Shoulder Patients Aren't Getting Better | What You Need to Do 16.05.2026 16m

  You have the tools and you know the mechanics, but your shoulder patients still aren't getting better. In this episode, I break down how to analyze your own treatment approach, manage patient expectations, and finally get unstuck with stubborn shoulder cases.