Upon careful reflection of my experience in the instruction of level II fieldwork students, newly graduated occupational therapy practitioners (OTs), and seasoned OTs new to hand therapy, I have found a disconnect in the efficiency of treatment, anatomical structure identification, and successful completion of general soft tissue massage. Furthermore, clinician knowledge of joint mobilization techniques, as well as scar massage of the hand, wrist, and elbow in various musculoskeletal conditions are lacking. This four-hour educational course will strive to instruct the Benchmark Certifieid Hand Therapy Residency mentors, mentees/residents, and level II fieldwork students on assessing anatomic structures, diagnosing the need and appropriateness of soft tissue mobilization, scar massage, and joint mobilization techniques. This will be accomplished through a didactic lecture, course handouts of the PowerPoint presentation, demonstration with one-on-one training by mentor to resident, and finally, efficacious hands-on completion of all techniques addressed. While improving clinical skills, the capstone project will also strive to incorporate occupation-based preparatory treatment techniques into a hand therapy setting.
