Spaulding Rehabilitation Services

Hand Therapy

Spaulding’s Approach

A loss of function from an upper extremity injury can be devastating. In an instant, your life has changed and we understand the challenges ahead. As certified hand therapists we utilize a patient-centered and evidence-based treatment approach to guide you to a return to a lifestyle important to you.

Learn more about our specialty hand therapy services for musicians >>

Contact Information

Spaulding Rehabilitation Services | Hand Therapy

East Greenwich
P: (401) 886-4650

Lincoln
P: (401) 889-5736

Pawtucket
P: (401) 729-2316

Providence | Butler Drive
P: (401) 680-4480

Providence | Plain Street
P:
(401) 921-8600

Warwick
P: (401) 736-4658

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Patient-Centered Treatment

A certified hand therapist (CHT) is a therapist who has passed a comprehensive exam that demonstrates advanced knowledge and skills in upper extremity rehabilitation. Many of our clinics have CHT’s on-site. Our therapists can evaluate and treat both surgical and non-surgical upper extremity diagnoses and conditions.  As your treatment progresses, your therapist will also work directly with your referring physician and other medical professionals to optimize your recovery.

Conditions We Treat

  • Activity and exercise programs
  • Arthritis and joint reconstruction
  • Burns
  • Carpal tunnel
  • Crush Injuries
  • Cumulative trauma disorders or repetitive injuries
  • Fractures of the hand or arm
  • Lacerations and amputations
  • Ligament injuries and sprains
  • Sports injuries
  • Surgical repairs
  • Tendons and nerve disorders

Treatments We Offer

  • Adaptive Equipment Fabrication and Training
  • Custom Orthotic fabrication and splints
  • Edema Control
  • Electrical Stimulation and Ultrasound
  • Ergonomic Assessments
  • Fluidotherapy
  • Functional training after ergonomic assessment
  • Orthotic and prosthetic functional training
  • Scar Management
  • Sensory Re-education
  • Soft Tissue Mobilization
  • Strengthening
  • Upper Extremity Assessment
  • Wound and Pin Care

Play Without Restrictions

Musicians are like sports athletes who train for hours to hone their craft and aspire to reach theirMusician playing guitar on the beach-1 highest level of performance.  Inadequate rest or pacing, or excessive force on the instrument can trigger tension/stress on muscles and joints, therefore creating inefficient body mechanics.  This may produce pain of the upper extremity and worsen play technique, affect endurance levels, and potentially, sound quality. The goal of Hand Therapy is to help the musician return to play without restrictions while maintaining healthy techniques to ensure injury prevention.

Common upper extremity conditions that musicians face are tendonitis and nerve entrapment syndromes.  These are due to the overuse of the muscles that are required to play the instrument, and thus can develop into repetitive stress injuries (RSI) of the upper extremity. 


Personalized Treatment Plan

During an evaluation, body mechanics will be assessed and posture during play, muscle tension/stress of the upper body, arm/hand placement on the instrument, and further examine practice habits.  A personalized treatment plan will then be developed to address the musician’s areas of need including how to maintain healthy habits during play to prevent future injuries. Some treatment plans may include:

  • Stretches
  • Manual treatment/massage
  • Heat/ice
  • Athletic taping
  • Splinting
  • Ergonomics
  • Strength
  • Endurance training
  • Patient education 

Meet The Team

Kamir Pabón Smith, OTR/L, CHT, CKTP

Clinical Specialist in Occupational Therapy

Education: Utica College of Syracuse University, Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy

Special Training/Certification: Certified Hand Therapist, Certified Kinesio Tape Practitioner specializing in the Upper Extremity

Clinical Interests: Traumatic Hand injuries, Pain Neuroscience, Rehabilitation of Musician Related Injuries  

Fluent in Spanish

Kamir Pabon Smith OTR/L, CHT is an Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist who specializes in treating musicians-related injuries.  She is an active member of the Performance Arts Medicine Association and has 20+ years of experience working with orthopedic and neurological upper extremity conditions.  The goal of therapy is to eliminate pain and avoid the recurrence of symptoms.

Matthew Ricketson, OTR/L, CHT

Occupational Therapist

Education: D’Youville College, Buffalo, NY, Bachelor of Science; Master of Science

Special Training: Certified Hand Therapist since 2005

Clinical Interests: Custom splint fabrication, Hand and Upper Extremity Trauma, Orthopedic UE Conditions

Our Locations

Spaulding Outpatient Center of Kent Hospital | East Greenwich

A Kent Hospital Facility
1351 South County Trail Building 2, Suite 200A
East Greenwich, RI 02818
P: (401) 886-4650
E: ggoyette@kentri.org

Spaulding Outpatient Center of Kent Hospital | Lincoln

6 Blackstone Valley Place, Suite 530
Lincoln, RI 02865
P:
(401) 889-5736
F: (401) 72902680
E: spauldinginfo@kentri.org

* Please note: This location only provides hand therapy

Spaulding Outpatient Center of Kent Hospital | Pawtucket

Care New England Medical Group Primary Care and Specialty Services
A Kent Hospital Facility
111 Brewster Street
Pawtucket, RI 02860
P: (401) 921-8600
E: dokelly@kentri.org

Spaulding Outpatient Center of Kent Hospital | Providence

100 Butler Drive
Providence, RI 02906
P: (401) 680-4480
F: (401) 889-5010
E: dokelly@kentri.org

Spaulding Outpatient Center of Kent Hospital | Providence

101 Plain Street, 4th Floor
Providence, RI 02903
P: (401) 921-8600
F: (401) 729-2680
E: spauldinginfo@kentri.org

Spaulding Outpatient Center at Kent Hospital | Warwick

A Kent Hospital Facility
455 Toll Gate Road
Warwick, RI 02886
P: (401) 736-4658
E: ldavis@kentri.org

* Please note: This location only provides hand therapy