Thumbs up as hand therapist joins local physio

JULIA WADE

13 Feb, 2023

East Kaipara residents’ fingers and thumbs will be in good hands now a new hand therapist is available at a handy location in Mangawhai Village.

Locals with hand trauma will no longer have the hassle of a long drive either north or south for specialised treatment, due to Mangawhai Physiotherapy Clinic acquiring the services of a highly-experienced hand therapist, Amanda Howse.

Hand therapy is a specialised field which evaluates and treats injuries of the upper limbs such as shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist as well as the hand, and requires a physio or occupational therapist to hold advanced training and hands-on knowledge.

A NZ registered hand therapist and physiotherapist with 20-plus years of experience, Amanda has worked closely with Auckland and Whangarei-based hand surgeons and manages their patient post-operative rehab and therapy, and is also trained in making custom-made thermoplastic splints to help support and rest injured hand and wrist joints.

Starting her new role on February 7 at the clinic, Amanda will drive in from her Tinopai beef and sheep farm on Tuesdays and Fridays to provide the hand service for Mangawhai and the surrounding areas. In between her clinic days she helps her husband on the farm, and enjoys spending time with her two children fishing, farming and playing sport.

Mangawhai Physiotherapy Clinic co-owner and women’s health physio, Vicki Copeland, who runs the business with husband Cameron, says having an experienced physio in hand therapy will be amazing for the clinic.

“We feel that having her experience to help us manage hand, wrist, finger and elbow injuries at a high standard will benefit our patients and the community so they are able to get back to what patients enjoy doing. Amanda is a very welcome additional to our team.”

n For more information visit mangawhaiphysiotherapy.co.nz

Mangawhai Physiotherapy’s handy new team member, hand therapist Amanda Howse (centre) with co-owners Vicki Copeland and Cameron Barbour. PHOTO/SUPPLIED