Occupational Therapists Centreville, VA | Occupational Therapy Reston, VA

What Is Occupational Therapy for the Upper Extremities?

Occupational therapy (OT) for the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder focuses on restoring strength, mobility, and function in the upper extremities. At Town Center Orthopaedics, our specialists understand how essential your arms and hands are for everyday activities such as eating, writing, working, and caring for yourself.

Unlike general OT clinics, we exclusively treat the upper extremities, ensuring highly specialized care. Whether you’re recovering from surgery, healing after an injury, or managing a chronic condition, our occupational therapists provide patient-centered treatment to help you return to daily life with improved comfort and confidence.

How Is Occupational Therapy Different from Physical Therapy?

Many patients wonder about the difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy. Both play important roles in rehabilitation, but their focus differs:

Physical Therapy (PT): Primarily improves strength, range of motion, and mobility in injured or weakened areas.

Occupational Therapy (OT): Goes beyond strengthening by addressing how injuries affect everyday function. OT combines exercises, manual therapy, and adaptive strategies to help patients regain independence in their daily routines.

At Town Center Orthopaedics, our OT program emphasizes the hand and upper extremity, using customized therapy plans and advanced techniques, sometimes combined with custom splinting or orthotic fabrication, to maximize recovery.

What Conditions Can Upper Extremity Occupational Therapy Treat?

While all of our occupational therapists focus on treatment of the hand and upper extremity, several of our OTs are also Certified Hand Therapists (CHTs) with over 40 years of combined experience. They specialize in treating:

Arthritis of the hand, wrist, or elbow
Carpal tunnel syndrome and other nerve compression disorders
Fractures and dislocations of the hand and upper extremity
Ligament, tendon, and soft tissue injuries
Post-surgical rehabilitation for hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder procedures
Overuse injuries, repetitive strain, and workplace-related upper extremity pain
Peripheral nerve injuries
Custom orthotic fabrication

By focusing exclusively on the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder, we provide targeted treatment that general therapy clinics often cannot.

Why Might I Need Occupational Therapy for My Hand or Arm?

Upper extremity occupational therapy may be prescribed for several reasons:

After surgery – for custom orthotic fabrication and/or to restore strength and mobility in the hand, wrist, elbow, or shoulder.
After an injury – such as fractures, sprains, or tendon injuries that impact daily function.
For chronic conditions – like arthritis or repetitive stress injuries that interfere with work or home activities.
For workplace injuries – including those caused by repetitive typing, heavy lifting, or awkward postures.

Many patients are surprised to learn that even desk jobs can lead to debilitating injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis. Our specialized OT helps patients address these problems before they worsen, improving both comfort and long-term function.

What Can I Expect During Occupational Therapy at Town Center Orthopaedics?

Your therapy journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation of your symptoms, medical history, and functional goals. Based on this assessment, your therapist will design a personalized treatment plan that may include:

Therapeutic exercises to improve range of motion and strength
Manual therapy techniques to reduce pain and stiffness
Neuromuscular re-education to restore coordination and control
Custom brace or orthotic fabrication for support during recovery
Home exercise programs tailored to extend therapy beyond the clinic

Each plan is designed with the goal of helping you safely return to work, sports, hobbies, and everyday activities.

Why Choose Town Center Orthopaedics for Upper Extremity OT?

At Town Center Orthopaedics, we are uniquely positioned as a leading provider of hand and upper extremity occupational therapy in Virginia. Patients choose us because:

Our occupational therapists are Certified Hand Therapists (CHTs) with advanced training.
We focus exclusively on the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder—no generalized therapy.
We integrate therapy closely with our orthopedic surgeons for seamless post-surgical care.
We use state-of-the-art techniques and custom devices to optimize recovery.
We are committed to personalized, patient-centered care that supports independence.

Occupational Therapy Locations at Town Center Orthopaedics

We serve patients throughout Northern Virginia with convenient locations in Fairfax, Reston, Centreville, and Ashburn. Each location provides specialized occupational therapy for the hand and upper extremity, ensuring that patients receive expert care close to home.

Schedule an Occupational Therapy Appointment at Town Center Orthopaedics

If you are recovering from surgery, dealing with hand or arm pain, or seeking specialized care after an injury, Town Center Orthopaedics can help. You can request an appointment online or call our office to schedule with one of our upper extremity occupational therapy specialists.