What is Hand Therapy?
Hand therapy is the specialised practice of assessing and treating injuries and conditions affecting the upper limb (hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, arm, and shoulder). It employs a variety of therapeutic interventions to help individuals regain their highest level of function.
Evolving from the fields of occupational therapy and physiotherapy, hand therapy arose from the need for experts with in-depth knowledge and experience to manage the intricate recovery process of complex hand and upper limb injuries. Its primary goals are to prevent dysfunction, restore function, and prevent the progression of pathologies in the hand and upper limb.
A hand therapist is a qualified occupational therapist or physiotherapist with extensive knowledge about treating the hand and upper limb. They specialise in managing injuries, diseases, and deformities and collaborate with other professionals when necessary, including hand surgeons, general practitioners, and rehabilitation consultants.
Services...
Injury management
Each injury requires a tailored strategy based on the structures involved and the individual's needs. We meticulously identify, support, and manage each type of hand and upper limb injury, ensuring comprehensive care and effective ongoing management for every patient.
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Urgent care Priority Injury Service
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Hand and upper limb rehabilitation
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Splinting & casting (to immobilise and to mobilise)
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Mobilisation
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Pain management
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Oedema management
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Wound management
Rehabilitation
We offer a variety of customised rehabilitation programs as part of our comprehensive services. Our tailored approach is aimed at delivering the care and support our patients need to alleviate or eliminate the long-term impact of injuries, effectively manage pain, and optimise recovery and mobility.
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Range of motion
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Strengthening and endurance
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Sensorimotor control
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Graded functional activities
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Facilitate return to work and play
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Ongoing care and support
Our treatment plans ensure effective management for every injury and chronic condition. We integrate long-term rehabilitation into our consultation and treatment processes, offering exceptional support for the care and management of both injuries and chronic conditions.​​
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Scar management
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Chronic pain management
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Joint protection
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Maintenance programs for range of motion, strength, endurance, nerve health
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Education regarding the management of chronic conditions
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Prevention strategies
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Sensory Re-education
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Recommendations/provision of adaptive equipment
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Activity Modification
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Education to community groups / sporting clubs
Conditions...
We can assess and treat hand and upper limb conditions including, but not limited to:
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Fractures
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Dislocations
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Sprains
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Scars
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Burns
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Chronic pain
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Trauma: severe crush, lacerations, or amputations
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Arthritis management
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Focal dystonia
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Thoracic outlet syndrome
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Sports injuries
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Workplace injuries
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Shoulder injuries: rotator cuff, bursitis, frozen shoulder
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Wounds
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Lymphoedema
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Handwriting dysfunction
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Congenital hand disorders
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Hand replants
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Peripheral nerve injuries. For example: carpal tunnel syndrome, radial tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome
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Tendinopathies. For example: lateral epicondylitis (aka tennis elbow), medial epicondylitis (aka golfer’s elbow), De Quervain’s tenosynovitis and trigger finger
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Neuromuscular and neurological conditions affecting the upper limb
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Conservative and post-operative care after joint replacement
Our Story...
( formally Specialists On Hand - Byford )
Welcome to Hands UP Rehab! We are an independent, private hand therapy practice located in Byford, WA, specialising in comprehensive and personalised rehabilitation and splinting services for the hand and upper limb.
Jade is an Accredited Hand Therapist and Occupational Therapist, proudly associated with the Australian Hand Therapy Association and Occupational Therapy Australia. With over 15 years of experience across diverse practice environments, Jade's commitment to evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning, and compassionate care has shaped her professional journey. Hands UP Rehab marks her venture as an independent practitioner, where she has established strong relationships with referring professionals, including GPs, surgeons, allied health specialists, businesses, and sporting teams, owing to her consistent delivery of exceptional service.
Jade Bickley-Tyler
Jade is a passionate and dedicated Occupational Therapist and Accredited Hand Therapist. Having worked in the private practice setting for over 15 years with Specialists On Hand, she is enthusiastic about the next chapter of her professional journey, developing Hands UP Rehab. This has been her ambition since completing her Master of Occupational Therapy in 2009. Prior to this, Jade completed a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and worked in various roles within public health across the far northwest of WA.
Jade has experience treating an extensive range of acute and chronic hand and upper limb conditions and has a keen interest in the mechanics of the upper limb and the complexity of its structure. She thoroughly enjoys working with undiagnosed wrist issues and orthotic/splint fabrication.
In her spare time, Jade is an active mum of four and a loving wife. Between running Hands UP Rehab and Umatah Retreat Chalet, Jade shares a love of horse riding with her daughters (while her son prefers riding things with wheels) and also plays and coaches netball in the local community. Having grown up in Byford and travelled around before returning to raise her family, Jade is a proud and active resident within the local community. She is deeply grateful for the trust and support from those she has had the privilege to help in the past and looks forward to assisting many more in the future.