Welcome to Otago Hand Therapy, located in Central Dunedin.  We look forward to helping you with your hand, wrist or forearm injury. 

We accept clients from all areas of Dunedin and the wider Otago region;  our clients include residents of Oamaru, Queenstown and Wanaka, Ranfurly, Milton and Balclutha.  We also accept students and visitors (domestic and international) to the region who are temporarily staying in the City of Dunedin. 

If you are going to be in Dunedin, you are welcome to contact us for an appointment. 

What is Hand Therapy?

Hand Therapy is the specialised assessment and treatment of acute, chronic, trauma and disease conditions of the hand, wrist and forearm.  Hand Therapists treat conditions like: broken bones, cut tendons and nerves, amputations, burns, sprains of the wrist and fingers and tennis elbow.  Other non-traumatic conditions that are treated include arthritis, Dupuytrens contracture, hypermobile joints and carpal tunnel syndrome.  Treatment techniques include active and passive exercise programmes, desensitization, strengthening and the use of specific, often custom-made splints to protect, rest and increase range of motion.

What is a Hand Therapist?

Hand Therapy is a specialisation above the general Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy qualifications.  Once a general OT or PT degree is completed, therapists can pursue further post-graduate training at AUT in the Hand and Upper Limb.  A rigourous certification process, including the completion of 1800 clinical hours, submission of a case study and additional course work in splinting then takes place before the title of New Zealand Registered Hand Therapist is earned.

Who will be my Hand Therapist?

Alison Derbyshire is a Canadian-born Hand Therapist and Occupational Therapist, registered with the New Zealand Associations of Hand Therapists and Occupational Therapists.  Alison completed her Hand Therapy training in New Zealand and worked at QE Health in Rotorua for several years, gaining valuable experience in rheumatic and pain conditions that involve the hand and and upper limb.  She opened her own private clinic in 2007.  Alison has recently become a New Zealand citizen and lives in Dunedin with her husband and two children.

Elizabeth Mayland (Beth) is also a Canadian-born Hand Therapist and Occupational Therapist, registred with the New Zealand Associations of Hand Therapists and Occupational Therapists. Beth has been working in Chicago, USA as a Certified Hand Therapist for the past 8 years.  In addition to the management of acute hand, wrist and forearm injuries, Beth brings skills of Lymphedema management and post-surgical management of tendon transfers for spinal cord injuries to Otago Hand Therapy.