Struggling with hand, wrist, or elbow pain? Maybe it’s hard to grip your coffee mug, type at work, or lift a bag of groceries without discomfort. These are the kinds of challenges we help people overcome every day at Summit Physiotherapy.
Are you experiencing pain & limited range of motion in your shoulder, elbow, wrist or hand?
Our Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), Asma Sajid, provides specialized care for even the most complex conditions. With advanced training and certification in hand and upper-extremity rehabilitation, she offers personalized treatment to help you recover safely and effectively.
What Is Hand & Wrist Physiotherapy?
Hand and upper-extremity physiotherapy focuses on everything from your fingertips up through your wrist, forearm, elbow, and even into the shoulder. It combines physiotherapy and occupational therapy principles to help restore everyday function—like gripping, writing, lifting, or dressing.
When you work with a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) like Asma, you’re getting someone with thousands of hours of hands-on experience and additional certification in complex cases, custom splinting, and post-operative rehab.
Hand, Wrist, and Elbow Conditions We Treat
Hand and wrist issues can show up in many ways. Some of the most common we treat include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome – compression of the median nerve causing numbness, tingling or pain in the hand and fingers.
- Cubital or radial tunnel syndromes – nerve entrapments causing numbness and weakness in the forearm or hand.
- De Quervain’s tenosynovitis – sharp thumb‑side wrist pain from irritated tendons.
- Tennis elbow & golfer’s elbow – pain on the outside or inside of your elbow from overuse of the forearm muscles.
- Trigger finger – when a finger “catches” or locks when you bend or straighten it.
- Wrist sprains & TFCC injuries – pain and swelling after a fall or twist.
- Fractures (distal radius, scaphoid, fingers) & post‑surgical cases – including tendon repairs and nerve decompressions.
- Tendon laceration & repair – injuries requiring custom splinting and guided rehabilitation.
- Thumb/wrist arthritis & repetitive strain – stiffness and aching that limits daily tasks.
- Nerve injuries – median, ulnar or radial nerve repairs and neuropathies.
👉 If you’ve had a sudden injury with obvious deformity, an open wound, or rapidly worsening numbness/weakness, please head to urgent care right away.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
We’ll start with a conversation about you—your symptoms, daily routines, and what you’re struggling with most. Then we’ll most likely:
- Test your range of motion, grip, and strength.
- Screen your nerves (median, ulnar, radial).
- Use functional measures like a grip dynamometer.
- Set realistic goals together based on your life and work.
You’ll leave your first session with practical strategies you can use right away, plus a clear plan forward.
How much does it cost?
At Summit, our hand therapy and upper extremity physiotherapy sessions are $180 for your first session, and $115 for each follow-up session. On average, we recommend around six sessions, depending on your specific needs and progress.
The cost is often covered or partially reimbursed through employee health benefit plans. You don’t need a doctor’s referral to book, though one may be required for insurance claims. Check with your benefits provider to confirm your coverage.
Our Evidence-Based Hand & Wrist Physiotherapy Treatments
Every treatment plan is tailored to your diagnosis and your goals, but some of the common approaches include:
- Activity & ergonomic changes – small adjustments to how you work, lift, or type can make a big difference.
- Splints & orthoses – from night splints for carpal tunnel to custom-made supports after surgery.
- Exercises – tendon and nerve-gliding drills, gentle stretching, and progressive strengthening when it’s safe.
- Scar and swelling management – especially after injuries or surgery.
- Manual, hands-on care – manually stretching and mobilizing muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints to increase flexibility and range of motion.
- Dry needling – either through acupuncture or trigger point needling, such as IMS (intramuscular stimulation).
- Use of modalities such as ultrasound, shockwave therapy or TENS – to help increase circulation and promote healing.
- Home program & education – so you know exactly what to do between visits.
We focus on practical, evidence-based strategies—not quick fixes—so you can build lasting recovery.
Post-Surgery Hand Therapy & Rehabilitation in St. Albert
If you’ve had surgery, you need more than a “one-size-fits-all” plan. Our role is to:
- Protect healing tissues in the early phase.
- Strictly follow post-surgical rehabilitation guidelines as given by your surgeon.
- Introduce safe, gentle motion as your body allows.
- Progress into strengthening and re-conditioning.
- Support your return to work, hobbies, or sport without setbacks.
We work closely with your surgeon and use custom thermoplastic splints when needed.
Returning to Work, Sports, and Everyday Activities
We focus on more than pain relief—we help you get back to your life. That means:
- Return-to-work hand injury rehab – graded exposure to job tasks and tool use.
- Sports-specific drills & elbow/hand/shoulder conditioning – safe return to athletics.
- Joint protection strategies – for arthritis or repetitive strain.
- Injury prevention tips – pacing, micro-breaks, grip adjustments, ergonomic setup.
Why Choose Summit Physiotherapy?
We’ve helped many people in the St. Albert community find relief, regain strength, and return pain free to their daily activities, hobbies and occupations.
Locally owned and proudly serving St. Albert for over 42 years!
Our therapists have over 148 years of combined experience in physiotherapy and massage therapy!
Personalized, one-on-one ‘hands-on’ approach for every patient, every visit.
We use evidence-based techniques and the latest technology for effective pain relief and recovery.
4.7 star rating from our satisfied clients.
We focus on long-term solutions – not just quick fixes.
Home exercise programs are customized for each client to ensure continued progress.
Our services are covered by insurance, making quality care accessible to everyone.
Convenient access to care is just a call or click away.
You Deserve to Get Back to Doing What You Love
Hand and wrist pain can make even simple tasks frustrating — but it doesn’t have to stay that way. With the right care, strength and mobility can return.
Ready to get started? Book your hand and wrist physiotherapy appointment in St. Albert today.
Find A Certified Hand Therapist Near You
Book an appointment with our Certified Hand Therapist today! Contact our clinic today.
FAQs About Hand Therapy
Do I need a referral for hand therapy in Alberta?
No. You can often see a physiotherapist directly, though some insurance plans may require a doctor’s referral for coverage.
How long does recovery take with hand physiotherapy?
It depends. A mild wrist sprain may improve in weeks, while tendon repairs can take months. We’ll guide you through each step.
Will hand therapy exercises fix my problem on their own?
Exercises can help, but they work best when combined with other treatments like splinting, modalities, manual therapy, dry needling and activity changes.
Do you coordinate with my surgeon or doctor?
Yes—especially after surgery. We follow your surgeon’s protocol and keep your care team in the loop.
When is surgery necessary?
A referral to a surgeon is when conservative care fails, symptoms worsen, the pain impacts your quality of life or significant structural damage exists (e.g., persistent nerve compression, ruptured tendons). Your therapist and physician will discuss options.
Is hand therapy only for injuries?
No—hand therapists also help with chronic conditions (e.g., arthritis), over-use conditions, neurologic disorders (e.g., stroke) and ergonomic issues.
Start Your Recovery Today
Whether you’re recovering from surgery, an injury, or ongoing pain, we’re here to help you move comfortably and confidently again.
Book your appointment with our Certified Hand Therapist, Asma Sajid, in St. Albert.
Or give us a call at (780) 459-1066 if you have questions. We’re happy to chat.