By Rachel Phillips
Many patients suffering from arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome might think surgery is the best option to get relief. Kate Schlesier of Hand To Hand Occupational Therapy hopes to change that mentality.
Schlesier’s occupational therapy clinic in Glens Falls helps diagnose and treat conditions of the upper extremities, which includes the hands, wrists, elbows and shoulders.
Unlike a physical therapy clinic, which will tend to a broad range of conditions across all parts of the body, Hand To Hand Occupational Therapy has dedicated its practice to exclusively treating the upper extremity, with emphasis on improving function and the ability to perform everyday tasks. Their specialization allows them an in-depth understanding of the upper extremities, and the ways in which conditions affecting them can be treated, she said.
Located at 100 Glen St., Suite 3D, Hand To Hand Occupational Therapy is one of the few occupational therapy practices in New York state, according to Schlesier. That’s due in large part to difficult and rigorous qualifications the state puts on practicing OTs and certified hand therapists in particular.
Schlesier’s practice only employs certified hand therapists, which she said assures her patients receive the most specialized and high-quality care possible. It also requires significant amounts of study and testing.
