The Hands Physio

THE HANDS PHYSIO

The Hands Physio has over fifteen years experience in treating hand and upper limb injuries.

The Hands Physio was founded by Rebecca and Stephen Farr in 1998.  Rebecca Farr graduated with a degree in physiotherapy from The University of Sydney in 1995, with first class honours in research. She then went on to train at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, tutor at Sydney University in anatomy and physiology and later learn the ropes of  private practice work in the outskirts of Sydney.

In response to the demand from hospitals, doctors and industry for a hand therapy clinic in the Inner West, The Hands Physio was established. Rebecca’s passion for helping people, coupled  with her knowledge of anatomy, hand and upper limb injuries and her innate business sense, provided a solid foundation for a clinic that provided excellence in hand therapy.

Rebecca was 24 years old when the adventure started. From its humble beginnings, operating alone out of the front room of her house, The Hands Physio has now grown into a well-established and well-respected practice with a team of physiotherapists and occupational therapists that perform approximately 7000 consultations a year.  The success of this business has been led by Rebecca’s passion to care for and value all patients, providing them with excellence in diagnosis, education and treatment.

The Hands Physio is based on principals, not protocols. Rather than just following a universal recipe for treatment, each patient is treated according to their individual needs. The Hands Physio focuses on tissue healing and mechanisms of injury, founded upon a knowledge of anatomy. The Hands Physio team genuinely cares for each individual who walks through the front door.

Having a high regard for excellence, The Hands Physio is informed by current literature and the latest developments in hand therapy.  Professional development of all staff is prioritised and driven by Rebecca’s passion to help people recover as quickly and fully as possible.  The Hands Physio embraces difficult injuries and doesn’t shy away from people in complex situations. The Hands Physio will continually look for solutions for patients, surgeons, doctors, insurance companies and workplaces.

The Hands Physio in Strathfield, Sydney, NSW is listed under specialising in services such as Neck Pain Physio, Sports injury Physio, Headache Physio.

Other services by The Hands Physio are Back Pain Physio, Hydrotherapy, Trigger Point Therapy, Physiotherapy, Shoulder injury Physio, Joint Pain Physio, Soft Tissue Massage, Casting & Splinting.

Contact The Hands Physio to ask about our services and prices.

Services

OCCUPATIONAL OVERUSE INJURY

What is it? Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorder (WRMD) is a condition of the muscles in the wrist, forearm, arm and neck that is caused by their overuse (or misuse) at work.  The muscles of the upper limbs are not designed to hold specific positions for a long time, nor to do the same activity repeatedly.  If these muscles are performing these activities constantly (working against their design), then the muscles release a waste bi-product (acid) as they are forced to…

TRIGGER FINGER

What is it? A trigger finger is when your finger feels like it catches or locks and then is difficult to straighten.   It then releases, gives way and straightens.  It is due to a thickening or swelling of your tendon that gets caught as the tendon passes under its pulley or sheath.  It can be from arthritis or overuse of the tendon.  It usually occurs at the A1 pulley of the flexor tendons at your knuckle joint. What may I…

TENDON REPAIRS

WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF TENDON REPAIR? Initially, the tendon is very weak and you may experience swelling as your body sends chemicals to heal the tendon and the tissues that have been damaged. You will need to wear coban and tubigrip to reduce this swelling. For the first fourteen days, the tendon is particularly weak and held together primarily by sutures (stitches).  Your body is producing new tendon at this time, but the links are weak. The application of…

TENDINOSIS

What is it? Tendinosis is the degeneration or breakdown of the connective tissue/collagen within your tendon. It commonly occurs at either your medial or lateral epicondyles (small bones on the edge of your elbow) or at your wrist.  It can occur anywhere the tendon inserts onto the bone. Tendinosis can be due to micro-trauma, ageing and/or poor blood flow. Micro-trauma can be when there is repetitive pulling/forces where the tendon orginates at the bone. What may I experience? local tenderness…

SPLINT & CAST CARE

Wearing a cast or a splint is a new experience for most people. There are some important things to consider when wearing a cast or splint: It is present to allow for healing, therefore don’t do anything that may compromise this, like lifting heavy objects, or putting yourself in a position to re-injure yourself. Check with your therapist when your splint is to be worn Your splint or cast should be comfortable and not ‘digging’ into your skin Move your…

ARTHRITIS

What is it? Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis.  It is a disease which causes the cartilage in the joints to degenerate and wear down. It can develop as the result of an injury, trauma or the overuse of a specific joint.  It tends to run in families and fluctuates in levels of pain and stiffness. What may I experience? pain in joint(s) stiffness swelling difficulty manipulating objects What does it look like? What should I do? A…

NERVE INJURIES

Nerve injuries are many and varied.  The nerve can either be cut, pulled or compressed causing damage to the nerve fibres. You may experience pain, loss of sensation or loss of muscle control. If the nerve is cut, then the nerve following on from the injury site will die and need to regrow.  The outside pathway is connected so the nerve knows where to grow, however, it needs sensory stimulation.  The nerve takes approximately one month to get started and…

MALLET FINGER

what is it? A mallet finger is when you cannot straighten out the tip of your finger.  It usually occurs when a large force has been applied to the tip of your straight finger, causing the tendon that straightens your finger tip to rupture.  A laceration, disease or infection can also cause this tendon to rupture.  It is common for a small part of the bone to be taken with the tendon.  When this occurs it is called an avulsion…

EDUCATION ON LIFTING AND FEEDING CHILDREN

Lifting, carrying and feeding young children places stress upon your hands, especially on your thumb and wrist area. The following suggestions may be helpful: Scoop your baby with your thumb and wrist relaxed when picking them up from a car seat or cot.  Keep a wide base of support and keep your child close to your body. Avoid long periods of sustained holding or gripping.  Use a bouncer or play-mat instead. Watch the position of your thumbs when feeding –…
HYPERTROPHIC & KELOID SCARS

What are they? Hypertrophic and Keloid scars are variations to the scars formed in the natural healing process.  A hypertrophic scar is red, raised and thicker than a usual scar. Keloid scars are thicker and spread beyond the area of the initial wound.  The variations occur when there is an increase in collagen production and reduced scar breakdown, leading to excess scar formation.  The formation of hypertrophic and keloid scars tend to be genetic.  It is important to monitor your…

FRACTURES

A fracture is a medical term used to describe a broken bone. Typically it takes a bone six weeks to heal, however some of the bones in your hand can heal more quickly (around three to four weeks). It is extremely important for the bone to be immobilised to allow it to heal without shortening or rotation of the bone.  It is important to have the correct alignment of the bones, so movement is not recommended. During the first four…

DUPUYTREN’S DISEASE

What is it? Dupuytren’s Contracture is a disease of the fascia – a tissue between your skin and muscle. The fascia becomes tight and forms a lump/band that can be felt in the palm of your hand.  It  causes the fingers (usually the small and ring fingers) to bend forward.  This is caused by a pathological change in the normal fascia. The cause for this change is unknown.   A surgical procedure – called a palmar fasciotomy – is normally necessary…

DEQUERVAIN’S SYNDROME

What is it? DeQuervains syndrome is when the two tendons that move your thumb become thickened.  These two tendons lie together in a small compartment in the outer part of your thumb, just below your wrist. The changes are due to excessive thumb and wrist movement which creates friction, irritation and swelling of the tendons and their supporting sheath. It is usually associated with repetitive activity.   It is also common after having a baby when new forces through your thumb…

DEQUERVAINS RELEASE

What is it? DeQuervains syndrome is when the two tendons that move your thumb become thickened.  These two tendons lie together in a small compartment in the outer part of your thumb, just below your wrist. The changes are due to excessive thumb and wrist movement which creates friction, irritation and swelling of the tendons and their supporting sheath. It is usually associated with repetitive activity.   It is also common after having a baby when new forces through your thumb…

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

What is it? Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition where the median nerve is compressed at the wrist.  The nerve may be compressed due to tendon enlargement, arthritis, a fracture or increased fluid in the wrist, such as in pregnancy or increased weight. The symptoms are usually worse at night and may be aggravated by driving. What may I experience? pins and needles numbness weakness night pain changes in sensation What does it look like? What should I do? In…

CARPAL TUNNEL RELEASE

What is it? Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition in which the median nerve is compressed at the wrist. This could be due to tendon enlargement, arthritis, fractures or increased fluid in the wrist (which could be a result of pregnancy or increased weight). The symptoms are usually worse at night and may be aggravated  by driving. A Carpal Tunnel Release (surgery) may be required if the syndrome causes consistent pain, affects daily activities, wakes you at night and or…

COMPLEX REGIONAL PAIN SYNDROME

What is it? Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a long lasting, very painful condition. Normally, after an injury or surgery your sympathetic nervous system is activated to bring about healing and return your body back to normal. The sympathetic nerve is activated from the message of pain that is received from the initial injury. Due to distorted information processing, of unknown cause, these nerves continue to send the message of injury to the brain and so the symptoms of…

CENTRAL SLIP TENDON INJURY

What is it? A central slip tendon injury means that you have damaged the tendon over the middle part of the top of your finger, so you are not be able to straighten your finger. If the tendon ruptures without harm to the skin, this is called a closed injury. When the tendon and the skin are cut, it is classified as an open injury. Treatment may differ depending on the type of injury. Initially, your finger will be swollen…

Reviews

“Friendly, but difficult to access (down a laneway and up a few flights of stairs). More expensive than what I’m used to.”