Hand Therapy - Bay Street Orthopaedics & Spine

Hand Therapy of Petoskey

What is Hand Therapy?

Hand therapy is the discipline that addresses injuries and conditions of the:

Hand
Wrist
Elbow
Shoulder

Certified hand therapists focus on occupational and physical therapies with specialized training in the treatment of upper extremity conditions through advanced study.

Hand Therapy of Petoskey therapists work closely with physicians and clients to provide a full continuum of care. Treatment often begins within days of an injury or surgery and continues until the client has returned to work and/or a productive lifestyle.

Conditions Treated

Hand therapists treating upper extremity conditions including:

Post-surgical care
Traumatic injuries
Fractures and dislocations
Sports injuries
Tennis elbow and other types of tendonitis
Carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, thoracic outlet syndrome, and other nerve entrapment disorders
Repetitive motion syndromes
Amputations
Burns and frostbite
Arthritis
Tendon and nerve injuries
Dupuytren’s contracture
Complex regional pain syndrome (RSD)

Evaluation and Treatment

Following thorough evaluation, individualized treatment plans are developed for each client and may include:

Manual therapy
Wound care
Range of motion and strengthening exercises
Control of swelling
Moist heat and cold therapy
Neuromuscular re-education
Ultrasound, iontophoresis, and electrical stimulation
Scar and soft tissue massage
Desensitization and sensory re-education
Customized orthosis fabrication
Joint protection principles
Therapeutic activities
Home exercise programs

Contact Us

Olivia Francis OTD, OT/L.

Olivia Francis, OTD & OT/L, is an Occupational Therapist from the Upper Peninsula. She received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Lake Superior State University in 2014 and her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Huntington University in 2017.

Olivia grew up coming to the Petoskey area, skiing at Nubs Nob and boating in the summertime. She teamed up with Challenge Mountain to complete her Residency Project in January 2017 to develop a Skiing with Autism program. Olivia fell more in love with the area, and after graduation, began working at Villa at the Bay in Petoskey to gain general occupational therapy experience.

In January 2020, Olivia decided to follow her passion in hand therapy and began working at Hand Therapy of Petoskey per diem. She has enjoyed gaining more experience in this specialized area and is working towards becoming a Certified Hand Therapist.

Olivia is currently a member of the American Society of Hand Therapy. Olivia is the Board Secretary for the Executive Committee with Challenge Mountain and still enjoys volunteering with their adaptive recreational programs. Olivia participates in the Monday night race league at Nubs Nob and enjoys skiing on the weekends as well. In the summertime, she spends time with her parents and boating at their Lake Huron cottage in Cedarville, Michigan. She enjoys hiking the North Country Trail and has always had a love for long distance running. She begins each morning at 5am with a workout at HoM Social.