Upper-Limb Rehabilitation

Hand Therapy in Tottenham Court Road, London

Specialist physiotherapy for hand, wrist and elbow conditions and post-surgical hand rehab — combining custom splinting, graded exercise, and scar and oedema management, the approach the British Association of Hand Therapists supports, to restore grip, movement and function at our four London clinics.

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Hand therapist assessing wrist and finger movement during a hand therapy session at Kaizen Physiotherapy & Performance

The short answer

What this treatment is

Hand therapy is the specialist assessment and rehabilitation of the hand, wrist and elbow, covering both non-surgical conditions and recovery after surgery. Your first appointment includes a detailed history, examination of movement, grip and sensation, and a working diagnosis you understand. We treat conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, De Quervain's tenosynovitis, trigger finger, tendon and nerve repairs, fractures, and stiffness after injury or immobilisation. Treatment may include custom thermoplastic splinting, graded exercise to rebuild range and strength, and scar and oedema management — the core techniques the British Association of Hand Therapists describes for upper-limb rehabilitation. Where surgery is involved, we follow the protocols set by your surgeon and the British Society for Surgery of the Hand. You leave each session with a clear home programme, because daily consistency drives most of the recovery.

Areas treated

What's included

HCPC-registered, CSP-chartered physiotherapists experienced in hand and upper-limb rehabilitation
Post-surgical hand rehab following British Society for Surgery of the Hand protocols and your surgeon's guidance
Custom thermoplastic splint fabrication, graded exercise, and scar and oedema management
Care aligned with the British Association of Hand Therapists' approach to upper-limb rehabilitation
Self-referral via Jane online booking — no GP referral needed
Four central London clinics: Tottenham Court Road, Liverpool Street, Marylebone and Wimbledon Village

Boundaries of practice

What's not treated

Good practice means saying no when indicated:

Signs of infection at a wound or surgical site — spreading redness, heat, swelling, pus or fever — which need urgent medical review before therapy
Suspected or unhealed fracture or dislocation not yet assessed and cleared by a doctor or surgeon
Post-surgical hand rehab without the surgeon's protocol or clearance — we follow the operating surgeon's instructions before loading a repair
Sudden loss of sensation, circulation, or movement in the hand — this may be an emergency; seek urgent medical care
Acutely inflamed or hot, swollen joints of unknown cause that require medical diagnosis before hands-on treatment

Patient journey

What to expect

Consultation & preparation

Wear or bring short sleeves so the wrist, forearm and elbow can be examined. Remove rings and watches before your appointment if swelling allows. Bring any scan or X-ray reports, GP letters, and — if you have had surgery — your operation notes and the surgeon's rehabilitation protocol. Book through our Jane page.

During treatment

Step 1 — Assessment and diagnosis

A first appointment covering your history, any surgery or imaging, and how the problem affects work and daily tasks. We examine range of motion, grip and pinch strength, swelling, scar status, and sensation, then explain a working diagnosis. For post-surgical referrals we review your operation notes and the surgeon's protocol before starting.

Step 2 — Splinting and protection

Where indicated, we fabricate a custom thermoplastic splint to rest, protect or position the hand and wrist — for example after tendon repair, in De Quervain's, or to manage trigger finger. Splints are moulded in clinic, adjusted for fit and comfort, and reviewed as healing progresses and demands change.

Step 3 — Graded exercise and oedema control

A progressive programme to restore movement, strength and dexterity at a pace the healing tissue can tolerate. Alongside exercise we manage swelling and scar tissue using techniques such as oedema control, scar mobilisation and desensitisation, so range and function return without overloading the repair.

Step 4 — Functional return and self-management

We reassess against your baseline measures and progress you toward the grip, dexterity and load your work, hobbies or sport demand. We explain what is driving symptoms and give you a home programme so gains continue between visits. Discharge happens when you can manage confidently and independently.

Aftercare

You leave with a written summary, your working diagnosis, and a tailored home exercise programme, plus any custom splint with wear-and-care instructions. Follow the splinting schedule and exercises exactly, as daily consistency drives recovery. Contact us promptly if a splint causes pressure, numbness or skin problems. We reassess progress at your next visit.

Pricing

Transparent, all-in pricing

Initial Assessment

Price on enquiry

Follow-up Treatment

Price on enquiry

Written and medically reviewed by David Thomas , Founder & Chartered Physiotherapist · HCPC-registered · MSc · Chartered Society of Physiotherapy · British Association of Hand Therapists (BAHT), with HCPC registration and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) membership.

FAQ

Common
questions

Do I need a referral for hand therapy?

No. You can self-refer and book directly through our Jane online booking page — no GP referral is needed. If you are using private health insurance, your insurer may require a GP referral first, so check your policy. Post-surgical patients should bring their operation notes and any surgeon's rehabilitation protocol.

What hand, wrist and elbow conditions do you treat?

We treat carpal tunnel syndrome, De Quervain's tenosynovitis, trigger finger, tennis and golfer's elbow, ganglion cysts, arthritis, sprains and fractures, and stiffness after injury. We also provide post-surgical rehab after tendon, nerve and fracture repairs. The British Society for Surgery of the Hand offers reliable information on these conditions.

Will I be given a splint, and is it custom-made?

Often, yes. When resting, protecting or positioning the hand will help, we fabricate a custom thermoplastic splint moulded to your hand in clinic. We adjust it for comfort and review it as you heal. Not everyone needs a splint — it depends on your diagnosis, surgery and stage of recovery.

How long does hand therapy take to work?

It varies with the condition and whether surgery is involved. Many soft-tissue problems improve over several weeks, while tendon, nerve and fracture rehab can take several months as tissue heals and strength returns. We set realistic milestones at your first visit and reassess each session. We never guarantee a fixed timeline.

Can you treat my hand after surgery?

Yes. Post-surgical hand rehab is a core part of our work. We follow your surgeon's protocol and the standards set by the British Society for Surgery of the Hand, progressing splinting, movement and loading as the repair heals. Please bring your operation notes and any rehabilitation instructions to your first appointment.

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Kaizen Physiotherapy & Performance • 111 Charing Cross Road, Tottenham Court Road, London WC2H 0DT

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Appointments typically available within 1–2 weeks