Rachel Atkinson – Registered Hand Therapist

Rachel completed a diploma in physiotherapy at AIT in 1987. Hospital physiotherapy in the various specialties followed at Waikato , London and at Middlemore hospital.

In 1991 Rachel was offered a position in charge of the Hand therapy unit at Middlemore hospital for a year.

Following this experience she went into a sales position at Smith and Nephew specialising in rehabilitation products, primarily splinting materials and educating therapists through workshops.

In 1995 she married Stephen and travelled overseas again, including orthopaedic ward work in England. They returned to New Zealand to settle down and found themselves drawn to Drury where they live on a lifestyle block with their sons.

Rachel has worked in hand therapy at Middlemore, Manukau Superclinic and Handworks private practise these past years while juggling work and a young family. She obtained full Registration with the NZ Association of Hand Therapists in 2001.She is now a holder of the ACC hand therapy contract so all therapy and splinting costs will be met by ACC.

She initially worked privately at the local physiotherapy practise at J Marr in Drury and from July 2006 has expanded to her own premises and was joined by fellow registered hand therapist Sarah Te Whare who also brings acupuncture skills.

Referrals (including self referral) are welcome for the following complaints and conditions:
Dequervains tenosynovitis
Carpal Tunnel syndrome
Trigger finger
Congenital hand deformities
Spastic hand
Dupuytren’s disease post operatively
OOS
Elbow tendonitis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Tendon lacerations
Nerve palsies, lacerations
Hand and forearm fractures / dislocations
Brachial plexus injuries
Skiers thumbs
Volar plate injuries / boutonniere deformities
Hand burns
Pain / CRPS
Scar management
Oedema control
Strengthening programme for return to work
Disuse

I look forward to working with you!!!!!