Southern Hand Therapy

Welcome to Southern Hand Therapy – established 1995

The Southern Hand Therapy team is comprised of dynamic, dedicated, enthusiastic, experienced Hand Therapists (Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists) just working in the area of hand and upper limb injuries. We have extensive clinical experience in the treatment of the Upper Limb conditions and injuries, which includes the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder. Julia Wild established Southern Hand Therapy in 1995.

We assess the problem, make a plan of treatment and carry this through. This includes the fabrication of customised splints and waterproof casts during your consultation. We can diagnose acute hand sporting injuries, acute traumatic injuries to chronic hand conditions.

At Southern Hand Therapy we aim to help you with a professional, proactive management of your hand/upper limb problem so that you can return to your work and fun activities as soon as possible.

• No referral is necessary for private patients.
• Workers Compensation, Insurance patients and DVA patients do require a Doctors referral.
• A Health fund rebate machine is available.
• An EPC claim rebate can be made on the spot.
• We are able to refer for X-Ray if it is needed.
• Established since 1995.CONGRATULATIONS Catia, Hayley and Anna on your HAND THERAPY CERTIFICATION (CHT USA)!!HAND THERAPISTS

Are registered Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists who have concentrated on the treatment of hand and upper limb conditions / injuries/ disease. They have gained their expertise through further education, clinical experience and independent study.

A Hand Therapist may be a full Member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association or a Certified Hand Therapist(USA).

A consultation will involve the assessment of the problem, creating an individual treatment program that may consist of custom made splinting or casting, specialised treatment techniques, exercises and education to promoting healing of the problem.

Consideration of the impact of the hand condition on your work, school, home and leisure activities will be most important. Liaison with work, School,Coaches, treating Doctors or Insurance Company, where appropriate, is all an essential part of the service. We will:

• assess the problem
• design a treatment programme including exercises
• create splints / waterproof casts / strapping as needed
• ergonomic advice e.g. computer work station
• educate you regarding the problem
• Talk with school / work / Insurance Company if needed.
• Work very closely with treating GP, Hand Surgeon, Sports Physician,Specialist, Physio

By seeing us early you have fewer appointments.

Our Staff

Julia Wild, Certified Hand Therapist, Principal since 1995

Certified Hand Therapist (USA) 2003
Full Member Australian Hand Therapy Association 1993
Member Australian Physiotherapy Association 1995
Julia is a Physiotherapist graduating in 1987 from Cumberland College of Health Sciences (now University of Sydney). Julia has worked exclusively in Hand Therapy since 1991. Initially she worked in a multi-disciplinary unit in Hands and Plastic Surgery at Prince of Wales Hospital dealing with the rehabilitation of many hand replantation patients. She formed the Hand Patient Support Group.

She went into private practice in 1995 establishing Southern Hand Therapy. By working closely with Physios, GP’s, Sports Physicians, Hand Surgeons, Orthopedic Surgeons, Rheumatologists, Neurologists and Radiologists the practice has grown to involve 4 therapists. She has been involved in the training of many new Hand Therapists to gain their CHT qualification. Julia is a dynamic, enthusiastic and dedicated therapist.

Julia has served in many roles in the NSW Hand Therapy Interest Group including President, as well as Divisional Representative of NSW to the AHTA. She has presented to the Sports Medicine Programme (Uni NSW), Sutherland Shire GPs, NSW Hand Surgeon Association Conferences and Australian Hand Therapy Association Conferences.

Catia Nasser, Certified Hand Therapist 2013
 
Certified Hand Therapist (USA) 2013

Catia graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) in 1989 from Cumberland College of Health Sciences; now a faculty of Sydney University.

She spent 7 years at Prince of Wales Hospital working in a variety of areas including hand therapy & acute orthopeadics. Catia was the Senior Physiotherapist for 4 years in an early discharge multidisciplinary team providing post-acute Orthopeadic care out in the community.

Catia is an integral member of our team having worked at Southern Hand Therapy part-time since 1998. She continues to have a special interest in Orthopeadic-related conditions. Catia is also fluent in Arabic.

Sophie Marden
Occupational Therapist

We welcome Sophie to the team in 2017. Sophie has 3 years experience in Hand Therapy.
Sophie graduated from Sydney University with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) in 2009. Intiially Sophie worked in Occupational Rehabilitation before travelling overseas and working in the UK in several Clinical areas. She has worked in Hand Therapy since 2013 and has found her passion. She is loves working with individuals to help them achieve optimum hand function.
Sophie is a member of the Occupational Therapy Australia.

Hayley Coleman, Certified Hand Therapist 2013Certified Hand Therapist USA (2013)

Member AHTA (2016)
Hayley graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy) in Cape Town in 1991. Hayley is a Physiotherapist who has worked with hands since 1998. She has just returned after working in South Africa in private practice for 9 years. She has lectured to many Sports Physiotherapists.

We enjoy working with such an experienced Hand Therapist. Hayley joined us in 2011.

 
George Kikilas

George graduated with a Bachelor of Science /Master of Physiotherapy at University of Western Sydney in 2013. George joined Southern Hand Therapy in 2015 after previously working in Sports Physiotherapy practice from 2013. He has a keen interest in ligament injuries and complex wrist fractures and wrists.
He is divisional representative for NSW AHTA Interest Group.
He has an interest in all sports and has covered many local sporting teams.
George speaks Greek fluently.

He is passionate about his soccer and coaching soccer.

Reception

Linda, Denise and Declan are friendly, helpful and invaluable in making things run smoothly for you and for us. They are happy to answer any questions prior to starting treatment.

Linda O’Brien                                       Denise Williams                               Declan Wild

Southern Hand Therapy in Kogarah, Sydney, NSW categorized under with expertise in Sports and Performance Optimisation, Physiotherapy, Back Pain Physio.

Additional services by Southern Hand Therapy are Deep Tissue Massage, Headache Physio, Trigger Point Therapy, Sports Physio, Shoulder injury Physio, Sports injury Physio, Joint Pain Physio, Neck Pain Physio.

Contact Southern Hand Therapy to make a booking.

Services

Conservative Management

• Arthritis – Osteo & Rheumatoid
• Brachial Plexus Injuries
• Burns
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• CRPS
• De Quervain’s Syndrome
• Dorsal Carpal Ganglion
• Crush Injuries
• Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
• Dislocations finger, thumb, wrist, elbow
• Epicondylosis
• Finger stiffness
• Fractures
• Golfer’s Elbow
• Humeral Fractures
• Infections
• Joint Contractures
• Nailbed injuries
• Nerve Injuries
• Overuse Injuries
• De Quervain’s Syndrome
• Peadiatric hand issues
• Pronator Syndrome
• Pulley rupture
• Radial Tunnel Syndrome
• Scars
• Sprains wrist, fingers, thumbs
• Sporting injuries acute and long-term
• Tendonosis
• Tennis Elbow
• Thumb ligament tears
• Trigger Finger
• Writing techniques correctionPost Surgical
• Carpal Tunnel Release
• Dupuytren’s Release
• Fractures
• Infections
• Joint Arthrodesis
• Joint Arthroplasty
• Joint Releases
• Replantation & Revascularization rehabilitation
• Scar management including hypersensitivity
• Skiers Thumb repairs
• Skin grafts or flaps
• Tenolysis
• Tendon Ruptures & Repairs
• Tenosynovectomy
• Trigger Finger post-operatively
• Wrist Arthroscopy

What we do

• Custom Made Splints:
• Static
• Static progressive
• Dynamic rotation
• Dynamic finger – ext/flex
• Fracture bracing e.g. Humeral
• Neoprene
• Waterproof Casts
• CMMS casting
• Myofascial techniques
• Joint Mobilisation
• Nerve Mobilisation Techniques
• Desensitisation
• Exercises
• Compression bandaging for swelling
• Stretches
• Strengthening
• Dressings & suture removal
• Whirlpool to clean wounds
• Liaise with Rehabilitation Providers
• Scar Management all areas
• Sensibility Testing / Retraining
• Joint Protection
• Work simplification
• Activities of Daily Living modifications
• Computer ergonomics
• TENS usage
• Mirror Therapy & Stress Loading for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Reviews

“Too much talking not enough physiotherapy. I would not recommend them if you are suffering from sprains or strains in your hands. Their therapy consists of firstly being almost always 15 minutes late, then when you try to explain your pain they do not know what the issue is so they will make you feel bad by saying “oh I have never heard that before”. If they are treating 4 fingers and you raise an issue with your thumb they will ignore it. It’s extra to treat your second hand. The treatment as such is hand stretched they will do with you – 5 minutes, laser therapy on your hand 5 minutes and off you go!!!!!

I honestly am so angry at what you guys have done to me- my rise has turned chronic because of your lack of duty of care. I WAS JUST A CASH COW TO YOU!!!!!

I hope you feel great now as I am still off work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”