Gastonia Physical & Hand Therapy Media

Explore how OrthoCarolina's Hand Therapy Fellowship program inspires occupational therapists like Ashley Brooks, who received the prestigious 2023 ASHT Emerging Hand Therapist Award. Discover the dedication and excellence that define our program.

We sourced 10 well-rounded tips for making the most of your time in physical therapy.  That's physical therapy done better.

Simple, everyday choices can help relieve hand pain and prevent overuse injuries like trigger finger and carpal tunnel. Learn helpful tips, common symptoms to watch out for and what to expect if you're considering surgery. 

Dive into the world of occupational therapy, where empowerment meets independence. Explore health promotion, injury prevention, and individualized care plans tailored to maximize well-being. Join us in celebrating Occupational Therapy Month as we honor the transformative impact of OT professionals.

Through virtual therapy, patients can progress toward their physical or hand-therapy and pain-management goals with support from their therapist, all while minimizing social contact.

Whether preventing or rehabilitating an injury or other physical condition, physical therapy plays an important part in long-term health. Physical therapists use exercise, massage, stretching and other techniques to help patients of all ages improve mobility, manage pain and restore proper function.

Gilbert Hunter has always loved to paint…portraits to be specific. He’s retired now, but he’d like to get back to doing it more often. The brushstrokes created by his hand reveal the snapshots of his mind as his perspective takes shape on canvas.

Occupational therapy is a unique profession that works with people across the lifespan to help them engage in activities and occupations that are meaningful to them.

The OrthoCarolina Occupational Hand Therapy Fellowship Program has received official accreditation from the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA). OrthoCarolina now has the only accredited occupational/hand therapy program in North Carolina, and is one of just four accredited programs nationwide.

Ramblin’ Rose Triathlon training lays a foundation for success in any sport.

Exploring Gaston County, N.C., by bike is perhaps the best way to gain an appreciation for what makes this the go-to spot for outdoor recreation in the region. Spencer and Crowders Mountain burst skyward from the surrounding piedmont and miles of creeks and rivers carve pathways through the tree canopy on their journey from mountains to sea.

With everything from mirror-like flatwater to Class III rapids, Gaston County, N.C., features a place to paddle for everyone from novice to expert. Spring has arrived and summer’s not far behind, so stock your dry bag, strap down the kayaks and SUP boards, and head to the launch for a day on the water. Here are some of our favorite destinations.

A unique combination of geology and history—multiple rocky monadnocks rising 1,500 feet above the surrounding Piedmont and a longstanding community-wide commitment to natural preservation—earns Gaston County its reputation as a regional hiking destination. Check out these trails to understand what makes Gaston the go-to training ground for runners, hikers, backpackers, and weekend warriors throughout the southeast.

When Ashley Brooks, OTR/L, began her career as an occupational therapist, hand therapy was considered very specialized and not a track for new graduates.

This includes our Orthopedic Urgent Care as well.

OrthoCarolina’s Hand Therapy Residency Program has achieved “candidacy” status, making it the only hand therapy residency in NC to achieve this level of certification and one of three hand therapy residencies in the country to be on track for full national accreditation.

National Hand Therapy Week

April is National OT Month

I’m an occupational therapist, and it’s somewhat ironic that spring coincides with National Occupational Therapy Month in April...

As a specialty practice of occupational and physical therapy, hand therapy focuses on orthopedic conditions that affect the upper extremities (hands and arms).

Throughout my 20+ year career as an occupational therapist and certified hand therapist, I have found the most rewarding part of my job to be the collaborative process with my patients.

Arthritis affects about 1.5 million Americans, including rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder that causes your body’s own immune system to mistakenly attack its own joints.