New Sandpoint hand therapy clinic focuses treatment for optimal results By Jillian Chandler
Attracted by the mountains and lake, and access to the variety of outdoor activities at your fingertips, such as skiing, mountain biking, trail hiking and lake fun, Jared and Charity Rattray decided to relocate to Sandpoint and make it their home in the summer of 2019. Last fall, the couple opened the doors of Alpine Hand Therapy to the Sandpoint community. Prior to their relocation, Jared and Charity had been doing business at Central Hand Therapy in Ellensburg, Washington, for the past 17 years.
At Alpine Hand Therapy, they provide therapy and rehabilitation services designed specifically for the upper extremity—therapy from the shoulder to the fingertip. “We often work with injuries of the upper extremity from rotator cuff injury to elbow tendonitis, to forearm strains to wrist pain, thumb arthritis and finger injury,” says Jared, OTR/L, CHT. “We also provide therapy services and rehabilitation after surgery to speed recovery and optimize return of arm and hand function.”
Jared brings his more than two decades of experience to Sandpoint, as he is specialty board certified in hand therapy as a Certified Hand Therapist with the Hand Therapy Certification Commission and is a member of the American Society of Hand Therapists. At their Sandpoint office, therapy is solely focused on shoulder, arm and hand rehabilitation. Whether it’s shoulder strain, major trauma and reconstruction of the arm and hand, or persisting thumb pain, Alpine Hand Therapy handles it all.
“Hand therapy is the art and science of rehabilitation of the upper limb, which includes the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder girdle. It is a merging of occupational and physical therapy theory and practice that combines comprehensive knowledge of the structure of the upper limb with function and activity,” states Jared. “Using specialized skills in assessment, planning and treatment, hand therapists provide therapeutic interventions to prevent dysfunction, restore function and/or reverse the progression of pathology of the upper limb in order to enhance an individual’s ability to execute tasks and to participate fully in life situations.”
Jared was inspired to pursue this field due to his interest in the complex dynamics of upper extremity and hand rehabilitation, and the challenges they bring. “Being able to help people achieve their therapy goals and get back to doing work or play activities is fulfilling,” he says. Charity works behind the scenes in an office management position, helping to coordinate business needs such as marketing and resource management, and facilitating communication with physician, surgeon and provider offices. “She is so clutch at helping to close the gaps and keep business and clinic needs running smooth,” says Jared. Outside of the office, Charity runs the nonprofit United by Love International, which works to coordinate groups and organizations for relief work both locally and around the globe. (You can find out more about the nonprofit online at UnitedByLoveInternational.com.)
If you are suffering from shoulder, arm or hand injuries/pain and looking for a dedicated professional to help you on your journey to healing, Jared invites you to call Alpine Hand Therapy today. Their office hours are 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday and by appointment.
“The most rewarding aspect of arm and hand rehabilitation is being able to apply over 20 years’ experience in upper extremity therapy and hand therapy to get results; to be able to focus treatment to get optimal results and guide the healing process and expectations.”
Alpine Hand Therapy 1205 Hwy 2, Suite 102 Sandpoint, Idaho 83864 800.353.5208 AlpineHand.com
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