What is Hand Therapy?
Hand therapy is the specialised practice of assessing and treating injuries and conditions affecting the entire upper limb (including the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, arm, and shoulder). It employs a variety of therapeutic interventions to help individuals regain their highest level of function.
Evolving from the fields of occupational therapy and physiotherapy, hand therapy arose from the need for experts with in-depth knowledge and experience to manage the intricate recovery process of complex hand and upper limb injuries. Its primary goals are to prevent dysfunction, restore function, and prevent the progression of pathologies in the hand and upper limb.
A hand therapist is a qualified occupational therapist or physiotherapist with extensive knowledge about treating the hand and upper limb. They specialise in managing injuries, diseases, and deformities and collaborate with other professionals when necessary, including hand surgeons, general practitioners, and rehabilitation consultants.
Injury management
Every hand and upper limb injury or condition requires a tailored strategy based on the structures involved and the individual’s specific needs. We meticulously assess, support, and manage each patient with a focus on comprehensive care, optimal recovery, and long-term outcomes.
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Priority Injury Service / urgent injury appointments
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Hand and upper limb rehabilitation
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Custom splinting, orthoses & casting
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Fracture immobilisation and mobilisation support
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Pain management
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Oedema management
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Wound care
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Post-operative rehabilitation
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Laser therapy for pain, inflammation & tissue healing
Rehabilitation
We offer a range of customised rehabilitation programs as part of our comprehensive services. Our tailored approach is designed to provide the care and support each patient needs to minimise the long-term impact of injury or illness, effectively manage pain, and optimise recovery, mobility, and function.
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Range of motion restoration
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Strengthening and endurance
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Sensorimotor retraining
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Graded functional rehabilitation
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Return to work planning
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Return to sport rehabilitation
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Performance support for active individuals
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Ongoing care and support
Our treatment plans ensure effective management for every injury and chronic condition. We integrate long-term rehabilitation into our consultation and treatment processes, offering exceptional support for the care and management of both injuries and chronic conditions.​​
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Scar management
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Chronic pain management
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Joint protection strategies
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Maintenance programs
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Nerve health and sensory re-education
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Adaptive equipment recommendations
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Activity modification
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Education for patients, workplaces, community groups and sporting clubs
Conditions We Treat
We assess and treat a wide range of hand and upper limb conditions, including:​​​
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Fractures
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Dislocations
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Sprains and ligament injuries
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Tendon injuries and tendinopathies (including tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis and trigger finger)
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Peripheral nerve conditions (including carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome and radial tunnel syndrome)
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Severe trauma (including crush injuries, lacerations and amputations)
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Arthritis and joint degeneration
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Chronic pain conditions
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Focal dystonia
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Thoracic outlet syndrome
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Sports-related injuries
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Workplace injuries
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Shoulder conditions (including rotator cuff injuries, bursitis and frozen shoulder)
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Burns, scars and scar management
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Wounds and complex wound care
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Upper limb lymphoedema
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Congenital hand conditions
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Hand replantation rehabilitation
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Neuromuscular and neurological conditions affecting the upper limb
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Conservative and post-operative rehabilitation, including following upper limb surgery and joint replacement
Our Story
Hands UP Rehab was established in July 2024 as the evolution of Specialists On Hand – Byford, with a clear vision to provide independent, high-quality hand and upper limb rehabilitation for our local community.
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Founded by Jade, an Accredited Hand Therapist and Occupational Therapist with over 17 years of clinical experience, Hands UP Rehab has grown into a trusted specialist practice known for personalised care, strong referral relationships, and exceptional outcomes.
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We specialise in the assessment, rehabilitation, splinting, and ongoing management of hand and upper limb injuries and conditions. Whether you’ve been referred by your GP, surgeon, or allied health provider, or you’re seeking help directly, our team is here to support your recovery with expert, evidence-based care.
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At Hands UP Rehab, we believe rehabilitation should be personalised, collaborative, and grounded in real life helping people recover, move confidently, and get back to doing what matters most.
Have questions or want to know if we can help? You’re always welcome to reach out — or book online when you’re ready.
Our Team
From your first enquiry to your final appointment, the team behind Hands UP Rehab is dedicated to expert care, personalised support, and exceptional outcomes.
Meet Jade Bickley-Tyler
Founder & Clinical Director
Occupational Therapist
Accredited Hand Therapist
Jade is the founder and Clinical Director of Hands UP Rehab, an Occupational Therapist and Accredited Hand Therapist with over 17 years of clinical experience in private practice dedicated to hand and upper limb rehabilitation. Since completing her Master of Occupational Therapy in 2009, she has built extensive expertise in the assessment, rehabilitation, and ongoing management of acute, chronic, and complex hand and upper limb injuries and conditions.
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Before becoming an Occupational Therapist, Jade worked in health across both hospital and community settings, including public health roles in remote Western Australia. This broader healthcare foundation shaped her holistic and practical approach to rehabilitation, with a strong emphasis on education, prevention, empowerment, and treating the whole person, not just the diagnosis.
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Jade has a particular clinical interest in complex and difficult-to-diagnose wrist presentations, custom splint and orthotic fabrication, post-operative rehabilitation, chronic pain, arthritis management, and supporting patients through challenging recoveries where expert clinical reasoning and tailored problem-solving are essential. She is known for her thorough assessments, hands-on expertise, and commitment to finding solutions when patients have often been struggling for some time.
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Passionate about bringing high-quality specialist care to her local community, Jade established Hands UP Rehab with a clear vision: to provide expert hand and upper limb rehabilitation close to home. She continually invests in advanced evidence-based treatment approaches and contemporary rehabilitation technologies to ensure her patients have access to high-quality, up-to-date care.
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Outside the clinic, Jade is a proud mum of four, wife, equestrian, netball player and coach, and active member of the local community. Having grown up in Byford and now raising her own family there, she feels deeply connected to the community she serves and is incredibly grateful for the trust placed in Hands UP Rehab by patients, families, and referrers alike.
Meet Jane Waddy
Senior Hand and Upper Limb Physiotherapist
Jane is a highly experienced and specialised physiotherapist with over 20 years of clinical experience and extensive expertise in hand and upper limb rehabilitation. She brings exceptional clinical skill in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of complex injuries and conditions affecting the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder.
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Jane graduated with a Master of Physiotherapy from Curtin University in 2004. Her early career provided broad experience across both hospital and private practice settings, building a strong foundation in musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Her time at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children further shaped her clinical expertise and sparked her passion for hand and upper limb rehabilitation.
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Jane has extensive experience managing patients following upper limb surgery, treating chronic pain conditions, and supporting recovery from complex injuries requiring detailed assessment and tailored rehabilitation planning. She also has a particular clinical interest in shoulder pain and rehabilitation, allowing her to support patients across the full upper limb continuum. Her expertise includes custom splinting and orthotic management, helping patients optimise protection, function, and recovery.
Jane is known for her excellent clinical reasoning, thorough assessments, and compassionate, patient-centred approach. She is passionate about helping patients reduce pain, restore movement, and confidently return to work, sport, and everyday life.
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Outside the clinic, Jane enjoys an active country lifestyle on her hills property with her husband, son, a chocolate Labrador, and two horses.