De Quervain's Tenosynovitis: Therapy Treatment
Introduction
If you are considering occupational or physical therapy as a treatment for De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis treatment, we want you to be as informed as possible—so we can truly partner to create the best course of treatment for YOU.
In occupational therapy and physical therapy, we tend to work from “menus” of evidence-based assessments and treatments. This gives us the flexibility to meet the specific needs of each patient. Below, you’ll find the assessment and treatment options your therapist may use, along with the evidence supporting them.
Please note that this page is for educational purposes and does not substitute advice from your medical provider. At the bottom of this page, you’ll find therapists near you who can support you in your De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis treatment.
Why Pursue Therapy First?
This article focuses on therapy treatment for De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis. As with most conditions, conservative treatment like therapy is typically the first course of care. That is because therapy is safer and much more cost-effective compared to invasive options like surgery (which come with a host of risks and potential complications – not to mention long recovery times).
The number and frequency of therapy sessions needed to treat De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis conservatively will vary based on your initial evaluation. In general, the higher your initial disability score, the more frequent your sessions. Ultimately, our goal as therapists is to move you toward self-management to get you back to what you care about doing.
Related Assessments
Assessments are powerful tools to help us partner in your care. They establish a clear baseline, direct our treatment efforts, and give us a reliable way to track your progress over time. Your team may select some specific measures that fit your unique situation. Here are some examples:
Core Therapy Measures
De Quervain's Assessment Measures2,3,5,11
Evaluation Notes for Club Members
Patient Rated Outcome Measure → Administer at evaluation, re evaluation, and discharge.
Patient Rated Wrist Hand Evaluation (PRWHE)
MCID = 24 points1
MDC = 11 points2
Observations
Posture → Rounded shoulders, head forward and palms facing backwards at rest suggest proximal weakness. Please also note scapula position on ribcage.
Is the patient a new mother? → If so, ask for demonstrations for how they pick up, hold and feed their infant.14
Upper Quarter Screen → pay attention to C6
Dermatomes, Myotomes and Reflexes
Level | Dermatome | Myotome | DTR |
|---|---|---|---|
C1 | Top of Head | Occiput flexion | |
C2 | Occiput | Occiput extension | |
C3 | Behind Ear | Cervical side bending | |
C4 | Supraclavicular | Shoulder shrug | |
C5 | Deltoid insertion | Shoulder abduction | Biceps |
C6 | Dorsal aspect of first web space | Elbow flexion | Brachioradialis |
C7 | Dorsum of middle finger | Elbow extension | Triceps |
C8 | Ulnar border of the hand | Thumb Extension | Digit flexors |
T1 | Medial Elbow | Digital intrinsic muscles |
Neurological Assessment
Radial Nerve Tension ULTT2b → complete bilaterally.
Norms according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Please always measure both sides of the body, and consider this comparison for goal setting versus sole reliance on norms. Standardized goniometric measurement techniques from the American Society of Hand Therapists can be found here to assist with inter-rater reliability (ASHT.org member cost $100, non-member $145).
Shoulder ROM all planes
Elbow ROM all planes
Forearm ROM all planes
Wrist ROM all planes
Thumb ROM all planes shown to be impacted11
Kapandji Score for thumb opposition4
CMC radial abduction and palmar abduction
Thumb Composite Flexion
Finger goniometer starting at $29 on Amazon
Strength Testing
Grip strength bilaterally5,11
Grip Dynamometer costs roughly $275 on Amazon.
Pinch strength including tip-to-tip, palmer, and lateral pinch11
Costs roughly $123 on Amazon.
Thumb all planes11
Thenar eminence muscles
Thumb extension, abduction
Wrist Flex/Extend
Elbow Flex/Extend
Shoulder Flex/Abduct/ER/IR
Special Testing - De Quarvain’s Tenosynovitis impacts women in a ratio of 3:1, and is often associated with hormonal changes.17 Additional risk factors include age (peak incidence at 40-59 y.o), diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and hypothyroidism. 18
Reliability is limited
Brunelli’s test14,16
WHAT test (wrist hyperflexion and abduction of the thumb) 15
Eichhoff’s Test15
“Wet Leather Sign” → crepitus with motion of the involved tendons
Triggering of the involved tendons.
Of note: Individuals with an extra compartment for the Extensor Pollicis Brevis are at higher risk for this.
Dexterity Testing
Purdue Pegboard
Starting at $199 on Amazon
Possible Goal Areas
Therapy only works when there is buy-in from the patient. It is important that you work with your therapist to set treatment goals that truly reflect what’s important to you.
Goals may focus on areas such as activities of daily living, improving grip strength, and pain and fatigue management, among others.
Goal Bank for Club Members
Each goal is intended as a starting point. The functional motivation behind each goal should be identified collaboratively with the client.
Patient will report a decrease in (QuickDASH vs. PRWHE) outcome score to (at least MCD) demonstrating increased activity tolerance in affected functional tasks like **** without symptom increase within 2 weeks.
Patient will identify and utilize 1 positioning strategy and 1 modified lifting strategy to complete **** [ex: feeding their infant] without pain increase over 2 levels within 2 weeks.
Patient will demonstrate increased grip strength over 15 lbs demonstrating increased activity tolerance for functional tasks like ***** with appropriate ergonomics within 4 weeks.
Workers Compensation Specific → reference the Department of Labor definitions for physical demand levels of different jobs to guide your functional interventions and work-specific goals.
Occupational Requirements to use when making goals for return to specific jobs.
Treatment Interventions
After a thorough evaluation and goal-setting process, it is time to start making progress. Below are treatment interventions that can be implemented as part of a holistic therapy program.
Aerobic Warm-up
Supports endorphin release for pain reduction and improved physical function.7
Orthosis
A custom forearm-based thumb spica orthosis may be recommended if there is acute onset and you are not receiving a corticosteroid injection. 19
Don’t fight your orthosis! If you resist it during a task, you risk further irritating your muscles instead of letting them rest and heal. If a specific activity causes a struggle, it’s best to either remove the brace for that task or avoid the activity altogether.
Manual Therapy
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)8,9
Joint Mobilizations of CMC, Carpals, DRUJ
Decompression therapy (cupping)22
Range of Motion Exercise
Flexibility of the thenar webspace
I.e. Interlocking Thumb Stretch
Thumb IP and MP flexion/extension
Wrist ROM all planes
Forearm ROM all planes
Neuromuscular Re-education
Addresses coordination, proprioception, and motor planning. Proprioception refers to knowing where your body is in space.
Wrist strengthening and coordination21
Dynamic thumb stability
Postural stability
Core exercises
Shoulder strengthening
Advanced challenges: Coordination, proprioception, motor planning
Self Care Home Management and Activity Modification
Lifting mechanics
Ergonomic positioning and setup
Modification specific to new mothers for feeding and carrying
Patient Education on Disease Pathology
Incorporating Functional Tasks and Occupation-based Interventions Based on Patient Goals
Practice activity modifications for patient-identified I/ADLs in the clinic to promote carry-over at home
Pain Management Tools
Modalities (heat, ice, ultrasound, iontophoresis, TENS)
Treatment Interventions with Notes for Club Members
Aerobic Warm Up for endorphin release for pain reduction and improved physical function. 7
A custom forearm-based thumb spica orthosis is recommended if there is acute onset and no corticosteroid injection. Research suggests against immobilization following injection, as it does not yield superior patient outcomes and increases total healthcare costs. 19
Patients should be reminded that if they resist the orthosis during a limiting task, the orthosis will “win,” potentially further irritating affected muscles. The goal of the orthosis is to promote rest and symptom reduction. If these goals cannot be achieved during a specific task, it is recommended that the orthosis be removed for that task or that the task be avoided entirely.
Manual Therapy
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) → recommend 4-6 treatment sessions, 3 minutes per area. 8,9 The tool will vibrate over tissue problems, giving more information than hands alone while protecting finger joint from the wear and tear of frequency soft tissue mobilization.
Recommended Multi-Tool from Hawkgrips can be used on full body
Cost: $595
Evidence-based support:
Ligaments: IASTM use in ligament repairs showed treated
ligaments were 43.1% stronger, 39.7% stiffer and could absorb
57.1% more energy before failure at 4 weeks. 10
Joint Mobilizations of CMC, Carpals, DRUJ
Decompression therapy (cupping) 22
Range of Motion
Flexibility of the thenar webspace - this therapist prefers using an interlocking thumb stretch.
See Handout for Interlocking Thumb Stretch
Thumb IP and MP flexion/extension
Wrist ROM all planes
Forearm ROM all planes
Neuromuscular Re-education
Eccentrics into wrist ulnar deviation, flexion, extension, forearm rotation, and thumb flexion and palmar abduction21
See photos of exercises used in a successful case study here.
Can use rubberbands, homemade weighted rings (This therapist uses coins velcroed to a strap around the thumb), or a self-resisted “pen push up.”
See Handout for Pen Push Up
If eccentrics are not tolerated, can start with isometrics
Dowel push into theraputty with thumb on top of finger, thumb around dowel, and then thumb on top of dowel.
Recommend having Yellow, Red, and Green theraputty on hand
For 1 lbs of theraputty, cost starts at roughly $30 on Amazon
Puttycise Tools for wrist eccentric challenges (large knob, L-bar)
Starting at $49 at Amazon
Dynamic stability of the thumb
Isolate intrinsic muscles of the thumb.
This therapist generally starts with isometric challenges, similar to how you would MMT each muscle.
Pinching with a focus on “O” shape for tip-to-tip
Encourage low force by using cotton balls without squishing them, upgrade to soft putty balls.
Towel scrunches first without thumb engagement, then upgrade to thumb inclusion
Proximal and scapular stability for posture
Core exercises
Shoulder strengthening exercises, especially if lifting is an impacted functional task.
Advanced challenges: Address coordination, proprioception, motor planning at appropriate phase of healing.
Self Care Home Management and Activity Modification
Avoid the combination of thumb flexion and ulnar deviation during typing/mousing, tool use, and lifting with neutral wrist (boxes and babies)
New Mother Specific - use of pillows and exploration of baby wearing options
See Handout for Caring for your wrists while caring for your baby.
Patient Education on Disease Pathology
Therapeutic Neuroscience Education is shown to have a NNT (number needed to treat) value of 3, compared to strong opioids at 4.3.12 In addition to reduction of pain, it has also been shown to improve function, movement, and decrease healthcare utilization.13
Important to recognize the role of pain
Incorporate Functional Tasks Based on Patient Goals and Affected ADLs
Challenge sustained postures they need to maintain throughout their day
Consider the pace of exercises to match functional tasks once mechanics are sound
Additional Pain Management Tools
Kinesiotape of thumb extensors.
Starting at $14 on Amazon
Modalities (heat, ice, ultrasound, iontophoresis, TENS)
Biofreeze
Starting at $11 on Amazon
Salonpas topical patches
Starting at $6 on Amazon
Discharge Suggestions
Every person is unique, so your individual response to therapy will also be unique. For some, it is not appropriate to continue therapy until the condition completely resolves. For others, pain may resolve before the entire rehabilitation program is established. In the latter case, it is important to remember that pain is a symptom—not a diagnosis—and that deficits in strength and endurance must be addressed to prevent recurrence. We also recommend that you:
Follow your therapist’s discharge recommendations to maintain progress made in therapy.
Continue to use self-management and empowerment strategies to control any remaining symptoms.
Follow a home exercise program with proximal posture component for an additional 3 months to help establish good body mechanic habits.
Consult your therapist if your condition worsens or if you continue to have difficulty with your daily activities after 3 months.
Education Resources for Clinicians
Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation A Practical Guide, 4th Edition. This is a useful, efficient reference text for anyone treating upper extremity.
Starting at $86 on Amazon.
American Society for Hand Therapists (ASHT.org)
Annual Membership is $275.
Hand Therapy Academy (They have great content on Instagram as well.)
Apps I use with patients
Proprioception
Labyrinth Lunacy
Anatomy
HandDecide
Choosing a Therapist
Both occupational therapists and physical therapists can treat De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis. In less severe cases, a generalist therapist from either discipline should be able to help.
It is important to note that both OTs and PTs can pursue advanced certification as a Certified Hand Therapist. To achieve this rigorous specialization of the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder, therapists must log 4,000 hours of experience treating the upper extremity and pass a formal examination. They must also complete various recertification requirements every 5 years.
Below, you can find occupational therapy professionals who have tagged “hand therapy” as a focus area. The ones with a “CHT” in their credentials are Certified Hand Therapists.
Jamie Boldig
MOT, OTR/L
Appleton, Wisconsin
Aging in Place, ADHD, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Anxiety, Aphasia & Communication Disorders, Assistive Technology, Autism, Burns, Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Conditions, Chronic Pain, Coaching, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Dementia, Depression & Mood Disorders, Dystonia, Ergonomics, Fitness, Feeding and Eating, Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), Grant Writing, Hand Therapy, Health Data, Health Policy, Health Promotion, Hippotherapy, Home Modifications, Insomnia & Sleep, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Knowledge Translation, Lifestyle Medicine, Leadership, Medication Management, Multiple Sclerosis, Nature-based, Neurodiversity, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Orthopedics & Musculoskeletal, Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Parkinson’s, Pelvic Health, Prevention, Population Health, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Rare Diseases, Rheumatic Diseases, Seating and Mobility, Spinal Cord Injury, Stroke, TBI, Trauma & PTSD, Tourette syndrome, Voice & Fluency
Paul Pettyjohn
OTR/L, CPAMS, MLD/CDT, CAPS
Monterey Park, California
Aging in Place, Burns, Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Conditions, Chronic Pain, Ergonomics, Fitness, Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), Hand Therapy, Health Promotion, Home Modifications, Lymphedema, NICU, Orthopedics & Musculoskeletal, Prevention, Stroke, TBI
Kathy Soseman
OTD OTR/L CHT
Occupational Therapist
Pathways Hand Therapy & Wellness
Nevada, Iowa
Coaching, Hand Therapy, Health Promotion, Orthopedics & Musculoskeletal, Prevention
Cortni Krusemark
OTD, OTR/L, CLA
Educator
Augustana University
Dakota City, Nebraska
Chronic Pain, Grant Writing, Hand Therapy, Health Data, Health Policy, Health Promotion, Orthopedics & Musculoskeletal
Gretchen Bachman
PhD, OTD, OTR/L, MBA, CHT
Northern Arizona University
Phoenix, Arizona
Chronic Pain, Ergonomics, Hand Therapy, Leadership, Orthopedics & Musculoskeletal, Social Determinants of Health
Lauralee Gordon
OTR/L
Flow Therapeutics, LLC
Richmond, Virginia
ADHD, Anxiety, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Conditions, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Dementia, Fitness, Hand Therapy, Home Modifications, Insomnia & Sleep, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Maternal Health, Multiple Sclerosis, Neurodiversity, Neurorehabilitation, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Orthopedics & Musculoskeletal, Parkinson’s, Pelvic Health, Prevention, Rare Diseases, Seating and Mobility, Sexuality/Intimacy, Spinal Cord Injury, Stroke, TBI, Tourette syndrome
Salmin Chacha
OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
AL NOOR TRAINING CENTRE
dubai
ADHD, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Aquatic Therapy, Aphasia & Communication Disorders, Assistive Technology, Autism, Burns, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Conditions, Chronic Pain, CIMT, Coaching, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Dementia, Depression & Mood Disorders, Developmental Delays, Dystonia, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Ergonomics, Emergency Department, Feeding and Eating, Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), Grant Writing, Hand Therapy, Health Data, ICU/Critical Care, Insomnia & Sleep, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Knowledge Translation, Lifestyle Medicine, Low Vision Rehabilitation, Maternal Health, Medication Management, Mitochondrial Disorders, Multiple Sclerosis, Nature-based, Neurodiversity, Neurorehabilitation, NICU, Pelvic Health, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Rare Diseases, Rheumatic Diseases, Seating and Mobility, Sexuality/Intimacy, Spinal Cord Injury, Stroke, Swallowing & Dysphagia, TBI, Trauma & PTSD, Vestibular & Balance Rehab
Amanda M Fonner
OTR/L
Educator
Mercy Hospital Jefferson
Festus, Missouri
Anxiety, Burns, Cancer, Chronic Conditions, Chronic Pain, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Dementia, Depression & Mood Disorders, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), Hand Therapy, Health Promotion, Low Vision Rehabilitation, Lymphedema, Multiple Sclerosis, Neurodiversity, Neurorehabilitation, Orthopedics & Musculoskeletal, Parkinson’s, Social Determinants of Health, Stroke, TBI, Trauma & PTSD, Vestibular & Balance Rehab
Karen Welch
OTR/L
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Aging in Place, Chronic Conditions, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Dementia, Drivers Rehabilitation, Hand Therapy, Lifestyle Medicine, Low Vision Rehabilitation, Neurodiversity, Neurorehabilitation, Parkinson’s, Pelvic Health, Sexuality/Intimacy, Social Determinants of Health, TBI, Trauma & PTSD
Sanchala Sen
OTD, MSc, BSc (OT), OTR/L, BCPR, FAOTA
Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Aging in Place, Chronic Conditions, CIMT, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Hand Therapy, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Knowledge Translation, Low Vision Rehabilitation, Multiple Sclerosis, Neurorehabilitation, NICU, Orthopedics & Musculoskeletal, Rheumatic Diseases, Spinal Cord Injury, Stroke, TBI
PJ Bhakta
OTR, OTD, PCES, CSOT
Consultant
TheraSolutions Consulting, LLC
Cedar Park, Texas
ADHD, Chronic Pain, Coaching, Depression & Mood Disorders, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Ergonomics, Fitness, Hand Therapy, Health Data, Health Policy, Health Promotion, Industrial Rehabilitation, Insomnia & Sleep, Knowledge Translation, Lifestyle Medicine, Leadership, Maternal Health, Neurodiversity, NICU, Orthopedics & Musculoskeletal, Pelvic Health, Prevention, Population Health, Sexuality/Intimacy, Social Determinants of Health, Sports Medicine & Performance, Trauma & PTSD
Rachel Egan
OTR/L, MS, CHT, COMT-UE
NovaCare Rehabilitation
Blaine, Minnesota
Aquatic Therapy, Cancer, Chronic Pain, Coaching, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Dementia, Fitness, Hand Therapy, Industrial Rehabilitation, Leadership, Orthopedics & Musculoskeletal, Prevention, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Rheumatic Diseases, Stroke
Kathleen Davidson
MA, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Kathleen Davidson - Occupational Therapist
Los Angeles, California
ADHD, Anxiety, Aquatic Therapy, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Coaching, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Dystonia, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Ergonomics, Fitness, Hand Therapy, Home Modifications, Insomnia & Sleep, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Low Vision Rehabilitation, Multi-tiered System of Supports, Nature-based, Neurodiversity, Neurorehabilitation, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Haley Van Escobar
MOTR/L, CHT, PMP
Occupational Therapist
Hand Therapy Learning Lab
Seabeck, Washington
Coaching, Ergonomics, Hand Therapy, Knowledge Translation, Orthopedics & Musculoskeletal, Trauma & PTSD
Hailey Burns
OTR/L
Colorado Springs Therapy Center
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Chronic Conditions, Chronic Pain, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Ergonomics, Hand Therapy, Leadership, Orthopedics & Musculoskeletal
Calvin Lee
OTD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Cedars-Sinai
Los Angeles, California
Ergonomics, Hand Therapy, Health Promotion
Lana Hoke
OTR/L
West Tennessee Healthcare - Sports Plus Rehab Centers
Milan, Tennessee
Aging in Place, Chronic Conditions, Chronic Pain, Ergonomics, Fitness, Hand Therapy, Insomnia & Sleep, Low Vision Rehabilitation, Neurorehabilitation, Orthopedics & Musculoskeletal, Parkinson’s, Prevention, Stroke, TBI
Madeline Dommel
OTR/L
Advanced Therapy Solutions, LLC.
Middletown, Connecticut
Aging in Place, ADHD, Anxiety, Autism, Burns, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Conditions, Chronic Pain, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Hand Therapy, Home Modifications, Insomnia & Sleep, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Low Vision Rehabilitation, Lymphedema, Maternal Health, Mitochondrial Disorders, Multiple Sclerosis, Nature-based, Neurodiversity, Neurorehabilitation, NICU, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Orthopedics & Musculoskeletal, Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Parkinson’s, Pelvic Health, Prevention, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Spinal Cord Injury, Stroke, TBI, Trauma & PTSD, Tourette syndrome, Vestibular & Balance Rehab
Jessica Lopez
COTA
Los Angeles, California
Aging in Place, ADHD, Aquatic Therapy, Autism, Grant Writing, Hand Therapy, Lifestyle Medicine, Low Vision Rehabilitation, Nature-based
Alona Prowell
MSOT, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Lake Havasu City, Arizona
ADHD, Anxiety, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Hand Therapy, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Maternal Health, Multi-tiered System of Supports, Neurodiversity, NICU, TBI
Emily Claire Gorshe
OTD, OTR/L, BCPR
St. Catherine University
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Hand Therapy, Neurorehabilitation, NICU, Spinal Cord Injury, Stroke, TBI
Jennifer Beasley
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Christus Oschner lake are hospital
Lake Charles, Louisiana
ADHD, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Hand Therapy, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Low Vision Rehabilitation, Neurodiversity, NICU, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Rare Diseases, Seating and Mobility, Spinal Cord Injury, TBI, Trauma & PTSD, Tourette syndrome
Corrina Holcomb
OTS
Student
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Hand Therapy
Ashley Elma
OTS
Student
Xavier University
Cincinnati, Ohio
ADHD, Autism, Cancer, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Hand Therapy, Home Modifications, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Lifestyle Medicine, Lymphedema, Maternal Health, Neurodiversity, Neurorehabilitation, NICU, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Prevention, Spinal Cord Injury, Stroke, TBI, Trauma & PTSD, Tourette syndrome
Conclusion
Hopefully this article helped you understand what therapy for De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis entails – and whether you’re a good candidate for this type of treatment.
This article is updated regularly based on newly released research. If you have any research you would like us to consider, please contact us!
OT Potential does not endorse any treatments, procedures, products, or therapists referenced herein. This information is provided as an educational service and is not intended to serve as medical advice. Anyone seeking medical advice should consult their medical provider.
Contributors
Rachel Egan
OTR/L, MS, CHT, COMT-UE
Sarah Lyon
OTR/L
Sarah Lyon, OTR/L, is the CEO of OT Potential. Sarah earned her BA from St. Olaf College and her master’s degree in occupational therapy from New York University. Her diverse clinical background spans multiple settings, including critical access, acute trauma, and state inpatient psychiatric hospitals. In 2011, she founded OT Potential to fulfill the industry's need for reliable, high-quality occupational therapy resources and continuing education.
As a recognized content creator, Sarah has collaborated with top healthcare brands like VeryWell Health, WebPT, and MedBridge. She blends her clinical expertise with a talent for creating clear, action-oriented content that empowers practitioners to excel. Passionate about elevating the OT profession, she has been featured on numerous industry podcasts. Sarah ultimately returned to her roots, running OT Potential and raising her family in her hometown of Aurora, Nebraska.
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