For many community service occupational therapists, managing clients with hand injuries or conditions can be daunting—especially in low-resource settings where therapy materials are scarce, regular follow-up is challenging, and clients face barriers to accessing ongoing care. Added to this, many community service therapists work alone without an on-site supervisor for case guidance.
This presentation is designed to bridge that gap by providing practical, adaptable hand therapy knowledge that aligns with correct protocols but is realistic for your context and level of experience. Marti provides recommendations for equipment, resources, reading and training to stimulate further learning and development in this specialized field.
An introduction to foundational hand therapy principles tailored for community service and low-resource environments.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
Identify key catalysts in your hand therapy journey, including essential resources and referral pathways.
Recap anatomy and physiology relevant to hand rehabilitation.
Understand wound healing principles and their implications for therapy.
Review pain and oedema management strategies.
Explore hand therapy assessment tools, equipment, materials, splint patterns and activities —what’s ideal vs. what’s an acceptable alternative in low-resource contexts.
Apply practical strategies for setting up a hand therapy service in a community setting.
Marti Simpson (B.OT, M.OT Hand Therapy, CHT) began her career in government service before establishing Grounded Rehab in 2017, a practice dedicated to hand therapy. Since 2015, she has trained over 150 occupational therapists through her flagship Introduction to Hand Therapy course and practical workshops in splinting, pressure garment fabrication, and therapeutic techniques, while also contributing to professional education events.
