Pivot Physical Therapy expands services to hand
To further grow its services in Sussex and Kent counties, Pivot Physical Therapy has added two hand therapists to its staff.
Certified hand therapist Christel Garrett and occupational therapist Jeanne Knowles joined Pivot this summer, providing specialized care to patients with hand, elbow and shoulder problems.
“We are very lucky to have exceptional occupational therapists join our team and lead our hand therapy program,” said Ryan Batdorf, clinical director of Pivot's Lewes and Rehoboth Beach offices. “With their extensive background in hand therapy, including elbow injuries, we are excited to grow our program to better serve the community.”
Garrett comes to the Cape Region from the Scranton, Pa., area, where she worked for a group of orthopedic surgeons specializing in hand, elbow and sports injuries. She is based out of Pivot's Milford office, but often treats patients at the company's Sussex County locations.
“Because healthcare in general is getting so specialized, most hand surgeons and orthopedic doctors want someone who specializes in hand and upper extremity rehab,” she said.
She said Pivot is proactive and tries to stay ahead of the market by providing specialized services in addition to general rehabilitation.
Garrett graduated from the College of Misericordia (now Misericordia University) with a degree in occupational therapy in 1993. She then chose to do a hand therapy fellowship program in Houston, Texas, in 1998. Following extensive on-the-job training of more than 5,000 hours, she passed an exam to become a certified hand therapist. There are only 5,000 certified hand therapists in the country, she said. Garrett is also a member of the American Society of Hand Therapy and specializes in custom splint fabrication.
In addition to seeing referrals from hand surgeons, she said, Pivot's hand therapy program also works with patients suffering from arthritis, tendinitis and repetitive strain disorders.
Knowles is Pivot's first hand therapy fellow. Recently graduating from Alvernia University in Reading, Pa., with a master's in occupational therapy, Knowles said, she is eager to continue learning from Garrett.
“I get a lot of hands-on experience and we go over every case together,” she said. “The patient kind of gets two people at once, and at the same time it's a learning experience for me. I think doctors like knowing we have a CHT and a CHT fellow [because] they know people are in good hands with someone specialized in hand therapy and someone getting specialized in hand therapy.”
Knowles attended the University of Delaware for undergraduate studies. She will continue logging the hours in order to qualify to take the exam to become a certified hand therapist.
In addition to hand therapy, Knowles is nationally certified in vestibular rehabilitation, specializing in concussions, vertigo and dizziness disorders.
Pivot Physical Therapy offers a wide range of rehabilitation services with offices in Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Long Neck, Georgetown, Milford, Ocean View, Selbyville and Seaford. For more information about the company, go to www.pivotphysicaltherapy.com.
