Hand Therapy Secrets | Helping Occupational Therapist Become Experts

Episoade

• The Step-By-Step Plan I'd Follow to Get Into Hand Therapy 01.07.2026 16min

  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.
• Here's How to Study Wrist Fractures on the CHT Exam 27.06.2026 17min

  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.
• The Real Reason You Don't Feel Confident as a Hand Therapist 24.06.2026 17min

  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.
• When a Patient Case Doesn't Make Sense — Use This Framework 20.06.2026 14min

  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.
• Thinking about becoming an Occupational Therapist? Don't miss this specialty 17.06.2026 13min

  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.
• Why Your Carpal Tunnel Treatments Aren't Working (here's what to do) 13.06.2026 13min

  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.  
• The First Decision Every Future CHT Must Make | How to Start Your CHT Journey 10.06.2026 20min

  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.
• Nerve Injuries | The Framework That Makes Them Easier to Treat 06.06.2026 18min

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

  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.
• Finger Amputation? What Every Hand Therapist NEEDS to Know 30.05.2026 16min

  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.
• Can a COTA Become a Hand Therapist?... Here's the Reality 27.05.2026 16min

  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.
• What to Say When Your Patient Pushes Back || Wrist Ligament Breakdown 23.05.2026 26min

  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.
• You Don't Need a Formal Program to Become a CHT (here's what you actually need) 20.05.2026 19min

  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.
• Your Shoulder Patients Aren't Getting Better | What You Need to Do 16.05.2026 16min

  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.
• School Didn't Teach You Hand Therapy (Here's What to Do) 13.05.2026 18min

  School didn't teach you hand therapy, and that's fine — I graduated from a top program and we barely touched on it. Your degree is a ticket, not a finish line; you don't need to know everything to start treating.
• You Don't Need to be a Shoulder Expert to Help Your Patients | Start Here 09.05.2026 17min

  You don't need to know everything about shoulders to start treating them. I share my framework using modalities, manual therapy, and basic exercises that work — no matter what setting you're in.
• Should OTs Take Spine Courses? It Depends On This... 06.05.2026 15min

  If you’re wondering if you should learn how to treat the spine, here are a couple questions you should ask yourself as a practicing therapist.
• I Was Terrified to Treat Shoulders | Here's What Finally Made It Click 02.05.2026 13min

  Shoulder injuries don't have to be intimidating. I share a simple framework to help you treat bone, tendon, and ligament problems — plus why understanding protocols makes surgical cases easier than you think.
• CHT Exam Prep | How to Structure Your Study Material 29.04.2026 17min

  Most therapists fail the CHT exam not because they don't know enough, but because they never spend time on what they don't know. Let's break down exactly how to organize your studying so you actually cover everything.
• Your Lateral Epicondylitis Patients Are Stuck (here's why) 25.04.2026 13min

  You can't treat lateral epicondylitis with a one-size-fits-all approach. Phase, body type, and the order of your exercises all matter — and if you're still doing wrist curls for a patient who's 80% better, you might be the reason they're stuck. Let's talk about it.