Hand and Upper Limb Therapy

Certified Hand Therapists are a collaborative team consisting of both physiotherapists and occupational therapists with specialized education and experience in rehabilitation of the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder. They provide therapy from the finger tip to shoulder, which includes injuries (crush injuries, burns, fractures, lacerations, tendon, ligament and nerve injuries), repetitive strain ... Read More

Certified Hand Therapists are a collaborative team consisting of both physiotherapists and occupational therapists with specialized education and experience in rehabilitation of the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder. They provide therapy from the finger tip to shoulder, which includes injuries (crush injuries, burns, fractures, lacerations, tendon, ligament and nerve injuries), repetitive strain as well as degenerative or acquired conditions like arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome.

After a detailed assessment, our hand therapists will provide evidence-based therapeutic care, which may include an active exercise program, supportive splints or braces, education and manual therapy. When required, hand therapists will communicate with your physicians or surgeons regarding your progress.

In terms of whether or not your hand therapist is covered by your insurance, you will have to check if you have coverage for Physiotherapy and/or Occupational Therapy and select your therapist accordingly.

All of our Certified Hand Therapists fabricate custom rigid thermoplastic splints.

Please note: we take debit and credit card only; if absolutely necessary we will accept cash payments but cannot provide change.

B.Sc., MPT, CHT

Originally from Victoria, Lisette graduated with a Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) from UBC in 2015, building on her Kinesiology degree from UVic. She has since developed a special interest in upper body conditions and obtained her Certified Hand Therapy designation in 2019. Lisette provides care for a variety of upper and lower extremity injuries including acute orthopaedic trauma, post-operative and acquired conditions (osteo- and inflammatory arthritis). Lisette primarily works out of Vancouver General Hospital, where the outpatients team treats patients who have sustained orthopaedic or hand trauma. Her hand therapy skills include wound care, fabrication of custom thermoplastic splinting, manual therapy and exercise prescription. She believes patients should be an active participant throughout their rehabilitation and recovery.

Her professional experience includes working at OASIS (OsteoArthritis Service Integration System), Mary Pack Arthritis Program, as a physio working with the rheumatologists at Artus Health, and working telerehab with InReach Physio, a clinic that provides services to remote/rural areas of BC. In addition to being a clinician, Lisette is also an educator - from assisting with practical labs in the MPT program at UBC, supervising MPT students on 5-6 week clinical placements and invigilating clinical exams.

Outside of work, Lisette enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, weight training and improving her pottery skills.

B.Sc., MPT, CHT Originally from Victoria, Lisette graduated with a Master of Physical Therapy (M... Read More

BA, B.Sc.OT, CHT

Stephanie is a registered Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist. She treats all forms of upper extremity injuries and conditions ranging from amputations, boutonniere deformity, burns, carpal tunnel and other neuropathies, complex regional pain syndrome, crush injuries, DeQuervain’s, dislocations, Dupuytren’s contracture releases, edema, fractures, lacerations, ligament injury and instability, mallet injury, muscular strains/tears, repetitive strain injuries, tennis and golfer’s elbow, tendon transfers, trigger finger/thumb, radial forearm flap phalloplasty, wounds, and scars.

Her special interest is in arthritis care and she has over 17 years of clinical experience treating all forms of arthritis. Her passion for rheumatology led her to complete the Advanced Rheumatology Course, a one year post-graduate training program through the American College of Rheumatology. She honed her arthritis and splinting skills working at VCH’s OASIS (Osteoarthritis) Program, Richmond Rheumatology Rapid Access Clinic, outpatient inflammatory arthritis program at Richmond Hospital, and outpatient hand therapy at VGH. Stephanie has a passion for fabricating custom, hand-crafted splints with attention to aesthetics and function. She also can recommend a pre-fabricated splint which can be fitted to your needs.

She teaches relevant Masters level courses at the UBC Department of Occupational Therapy as a clinical instructor.

She offers service in English and Cantonese.

She does not see Worksafe or ICBC patients at this time.

We encourage you to check if you have coverage for Occupational Therapy and select your therapist accordingly.

BA, B.Sc.OT, CHT Stephanie is a registered Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist. ... Read More

Alexandra (Alex) Osatchuk has been working as a Registered Occupational Therapist since 2012 and is originally from Ontario. She graduated from Dalhousie University with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (2012) and holds an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences from The University of Western Ontario (2009). She is committed to her professional development and is currently enrolled as a fellow within the Virtual Hand to Shoulder Fellowship and working towards obtaining her Certified Hand Therapist designation on completion of her fellowship. Alex works both at the Vancouver Hand Clinic as well as Vancouver General Hospital, where she sees burn and trauma patients. Her professional experience includes both private practice and hospital settings across a wide breadth of upper extremity populations, including burns, trauma, amputee, orthopaedics and neurological rehab. She has honed her splinting and clinical decision making skills within the context of fast-paced plastics and orthopaedic surgery clinics, while carrying complex clinical caseloads.

Alex provides custom splinting and hands-on manual therapy with personalized treatment programs that emphasize pain self-management and improved function and consider the patient as a whole. She is also trained in manual edema mobilization and can assist with management of post-operative and chronic edema (swelling) to reduce symptoms. Outside of work, Alex stays active playing soccer and rock climbing and enjoys helping athletes return to sport after hand and upper extremity injuries. She also plays guitar and enjoys live music.

Alexandra (Alex) Osatchuk has been working as a Registered Occupational Therapist since 2012 and ... Read More

Shirin grew up on the North Shore and loves the beauty of British Columbia. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from the University of British Columbia in 2004 and has completed her Certified Hand Therapy designation in 2022. She has worked both in hospital and private practice settings. Her special interests are around arthritis management and care as she also works part time at the Mary Pack Arthritis Program seeing a variety of conditions including Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis and Osteoarthritis. She is one of the clinical practice leaders at the Mary Pack Arthritis Program. In her role she teaches yearly a professional course on management of the Rheumatoid Arthritis hand. Shirin is passionate about providing education, self-management strategies, and exercise prescription to manage upper extremity conditions. In her free time, Shirin likes to travel and hike with her family.

Shirin grew up on the North Shore and loves the beauty of British Columbia. She graduated with a ... Read More

B.Sc.Hons, M.Sc.PT, CHT

Kate is a Registered Physiotherapist and Certified Hand Therapist. She treats all forms of upper extremity injuries from acute (post-operative, fractures, trauma, crush injuries, tendon injuries, mallet fingers, nerve lacerations, etc) to chronic (osteoarthritis, ligament laxity, stiffness, nerve pain, sprains, strains, impingement, rotator cuff injury, DeQuervain’s, carpal or cubital tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, etc). Kate makes custom thermoplastic splints when needed to help decrease pain, provide stability to joints, allow fractures and soft tissues to heal and to increase joint mobility.

Kate is also a general physiotherapist. If you’d like to see her for an injury other than your hand or upper extremity, please call to book in as a regular physiotherapy appointment.

She does not see Worksafe or ICBC patients at this time.

B.Sc.Hons, M.Sc.PT, CHT Kate is a Registered Physiotherapist and Certified Hand Therapist. She t... Read More

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Located at: 206-3195 Granville Street, Vancouver
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