Do you need a referral for hand therapy?

Hand therapy is rehabilitation delivered by an occupational therapist or physiotherapist with relevant hand expertise. Assessment may cover pain, swelling, movement, grip, sensation, scar tissue, and how the hand affects work or daily tasks. Treatment can include guided exercises, activity changes, splint advice, scar care, and practice of useful movements. The therapist can also identify signs that need review by a doctor or surgeon.

Ask the clinic whether it accepts self-referrals and whether a doctor’s request is needed for your arrangement. Explain whether the problem followed an injury, operation, overuse, or a gradual change. Bring referral letters, imaging or operation reports, splints, and a list of medicines if available. Mention your work demands, hobbies, dominant hand, and the tasks you cannot complete comfortably so the programme reflects real life.

Obtain prompt medical assessment after a severe injury, an open wound, a visibly crooked finger, sudden loss of movement, new weakness, worsening numbness, or fingers that become cold or change colour. Rapidly increasing redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, or fever also needs medical attention rather than routine therapy alone.

Ask which professional should assess your hand, whether imaging or a surgical review is needed, and what goals therapy should target. Clarify how often to practise, which symptoms mean you should stop an exercise, and how progress will be measured.