News Feed/ Blog
Sore Shoulder from Rotator Cuff Injury
31 October 2019
What is the Rotator Cuff? I am sure many of you have wondered the same question when it is mentioned by your physio. This article explores what the Rotator Cuff is and what happens when it’s not working as intended.
Best Occupational Therapist of the year
30 September 2019
Out of hundreds of applications all around Australia, Active Hand Therapy was gobsmacked to receive two finalist nominations at the Allied Health Awards in Melbourne. Here is a blatant call out for how awesome we are!!!
Coomera Clinic - Now Open!
14 August 2019
Active Hand Therapy is very excited to announce that our Coomera Hand Therapy Clinic is now open every day Monday to Friday!!
Carpal Tunnel
16 July 2019
Chances are, you have heard of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). Many Australians suffer from CTS and experience symptoms that usually start slowly and worsen over time. It may be that a friend has a feeling of tingling or pins and needles in the fingers. Or you wake up in the morning with numbness in your hands. If left untreated it can cause muscles near the base of the thumb to waste away. So here is a little more information about Carpal Tunnel and its treatment.
What Does A Hand Therapist Do?
3 June 2019
You are all thinking it. What does a Hand Therapist actually do?
Partnering with the Gold Coast Suns for another year
23 May 2019
As the AFL season ramps up, our director, David Coles, looks forward to another year with the Gold Coast Suns.
Read more about Partnering with the Gold Coast Suns for another year →
Splinting Workshops
8 April 2019
Big week at Active Hand Therapy taking the Bond University Occupational Therapy students and the Physiotherapy students though their splinting courses. Our director David Coles, has been running these courses, in conjunction with the Universities, for a number of years now. This year the Physios wanted a piece of the action.
Fracture and What to do?
30 March 2019
So something stupid has happened and you have gone and broke a bone. Or maybe it's just sprained and it hurts like hell. What happens next? Hospital? GP? Physio? Did someone say Hand Therapist?!! So clearly if it's a leg - get your arse to the hospital. But if you have an injured finger, wrist, elbow or arm - there are other places to go for treatment.
Partnering with Bond University Physiotherapy
26 February 2019
Active Hand Therapy is excited to welcome the first lot of students from Bond University for the year!
Read more about Partnering with Bond University Physiotherapy →
Tennis Elbow
17 January 2019
With the Australian Open hotting up and every man and his dog making their way to a tennis court the Active Hand Therapy team thought it would be a great time to write a post about Tennis Elbow. So whether your elbow pain is due to a mean Isner serve or just from gripping your celebratory champagne - Here are some pointers on this niggling injury.
Mindfulness and Recovery after Injury
7 December 2018
There is more and more research coming out that suggests Mindfulness and Relaxation techniques can reduce pain and anxiety after injury. We have a few favorite apps at Active Hand Therapy that can help - Anyone in need of some Zen time?
SCU for Occupational Therapists
21 November 2018
We have been very busy at Active Hand Therapy this year with students and lecturing. Our latest guest appearance has been with Southern Cross University.
Training With Wrist Pain? There is an Answer.
28 October 2018
Are you someone who loves the Gym, CrossFit, Gymnastics or Yoga? Then chances are you have experienced wrist pain that has impacted your training.
Read more about Training With Wrist Pain? There is an Answer. →
The Gold Coast's best Hand Therapist by Channel 7 News
1 October 2018
It's not everyday you get a phone call from Patty Welsh wanting to know who Dave Coles is and why he hasn't heard of him before?
Read more about The Gold Coast's best Hand Therapist by Channel 7 News →
Partnering with the Gold Coast Suns
9 September 2018
As the AFL season draws to a close, our director, David Coles, reflects on another year with the Gold Coast Suns.
Partnering with the Titans
15 August 2018
With only a few more weeks left of the NRL season for 2018 the therapists have been busy treating and supporting the Titans again this year.
NAIDOC Week Focus on Healthcare
15 July 2018
NAIDOC Week 2018 will be held nationally from Sunday 8th July and continue through to Sunday 15th July. This year it spotlights the invaluable contributions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women make to our communities and families. It is also a perfect time to reflect on aboriginal health and the gap that still exists for Indigenous Australians
Handwashing Latest Guidelines
13 June 2018
We all know the benefits of washing our hands but do we know what the latest guidelines suggest and why?
Partnering with Bond University
10 May 2018
Last month Active Hand Therapy ran a course for a group of Occupational Therapy students from Bond University.
Treatment of Bluebottle Stings
15 April 2018
So seriously what is the treatment for bluebottle stings? Seawater? Hotwater? Vinegar? Coldwater? Guess what, it has changed again! We get our resident pharmacist to review the evidence.
Elite Female Athletes
3 April 2018
Did you know that in some sports women are 6 times more likely to sustain injuries than their male counterparts? Mikayla Southam, one of our specialist hand physiotherapists explains some of the reasons behind this trend.
Sally Pearson Comeback from Hand Injury
9 March 2018
Sally Pearson has come a long way from her wrist injury back in 2015. She is now a dual world champion after winning the final of the 100m hurdles at the World Athletics Championships in London. In the leadup to the Commonwealth Games, David Coles, director of Active Hand Therapy, talks about her recovery.
Commonwealth Games Travel Information
18 February 2018
If you are visiting one of our clinics at Coomera, Southport or Palm Beach over the Commonwealth Games period please read the following information.
Fracture Clinic Gold Coast and Hand Clinic Southport
13 February 2018
Did you know that we have a specialised finger, hand, wrist and arm fracture clinic?
Read more about Fracture Clinic Gold Coast and Hand Clinic Southport →
Bond University Lectures
24 October 2017
David Coles gave a great lecture today at Bond University discussing the role Hand Therapists have within the Multidisciplinary Team.
Static Splinting Workshop 2017
1 October 2017
Need to develop static splinting skills? Our workshop is on again. Book now on (07) 5526 4066 or email: admin@activehandtherapy.com.au. for our October 2017 workshop at our Southport clinic.
Full AHTA Membership
24 August 2017
Congratulations to Shawn McDowell one of Active Hand and Upper Limb Therapy's Occupational Therapists. Shawn has recently completed his full membership to the Australian Hand Therapy Association.
Animal Welfare League
27 July 2017
Today our Physio Mikayla Southamvisited the Gold Coast Animal Welfare League to donate offcuts of our thermoplastic materials.
Certified Hand Therapist
13 June 2017
Luke McCarron has recently completed his Hand Therapist Certification. This worldwide commision only recognises an elite few who undergo rigorous advanced testing and Active Hand Therapy could not be any more proud of this down to earth therapist.
Active Hand Therapy News
11 June 2017
Gary Ablett took the Gold Coast Suns to another win this weekend even with his injured thumb. David, our director, has an avid passion for all things football having played for many years himself. With his vast knowledge he has perfected the form vs function for these supportive splints.
Hand Therapy Awareness Week
1 June 2017
This year Hand Therapy Awareness Week is celebrating the 'Art and Science of Hand Therapy' and is held from 5-11 June 2017
Make a Wish Foundation
5 May 2017
Mikayla Southam our resident Physiotherapist is a proud supporter of the Make a Wish Foundation. She regularly raises money for this charity to enable seriously ill kids to have a wish come true
Partnering with Bond University
7 April 2017
Active Hand Therapy is very proud to be involved with the first cohort of Bond University's GEMS Occupational Therapy students.
Partnering with Griffith University
14 February 2017
The director, David Coles, was again a guest lecturer for Griffith University Masters Physiotherapy students. His talks included discussing 'Clinical Assessment of the Hand and Wrist'.
Static Splinting Workshop 2016
1 October 2016
Need to develop static splinting skills? Book now on (07) 5526 4066 or email: admin@activehandtherapy.com.au. for our October 2016 workshop at our Southport clinic.
Active Hand Therapy in the news again!
30 September 2016
Ash Taylor has won the Daly M Medal for rookie of the year despite his finger injury.
QuickDASH Scores Study
30 September 2016
Active Hand and Upper Limb Physiotherapist Mikayla Southam has recently published a retrospective cohort study of QuickDASH scores for common acute trauma conditions presenting for Hand Therapy
Active Hand Therapy in the news
5 September 2016
Congratulations to Jarrod Harbrow winning the Sun's Club Champion Award.
Sagittal Band Injuries
6 March 2016
Last month the director of Active Hand Therapy, David Coles, presented at the Melbourne Sports Injury Symposium. One of his lectures focused on Sagittal Band Injuries.
Upper Limb Sports Injury Symposium
23 February 2016
Members of our staff recently visited Melbourne to attend Action Rehab Sports Injury Symposium. David Coles, our director, was also a guest lecturer at the event. Some interesting new ideas were taken on board by the team in managing sports injuries.
Physical Therapies in China
28 January 2018
In part two Dee looks more specifically at the Physical Therapies and Hand Therapy in particular in the Chinese Healthcare system.
Healthcare in China
29 November 2017
Our directors, David and Deanna Coles, recently had the pleasure of visiting China to present some lectures and workshops on Hand Therapy and Orthopaedic medicines. During the visits, they gleaned many insights into the eastern perspective of healthcare and physical therapies.This month, Dee shares some of her reflections regarding the Chinese healthcare system.
Welcome to Active Hand Therapy
16 September 2015
Welcome to our new Active Hand Therapy news feed/ blog. Active Hand Therapy is a private hand and upper limb practice located on the Gold Coast, providing specialised Hand Therapy services to our clients. It has been operating since 2009 and has been the premier hand clinic on the Gold Coast for many years.
About Us and Frequently Asked Questions
31 December 2008
We are a hand, wrist, elbow, arm and shoulder therapy clinic. Active Hand Therapy was established more then 10 years ago by our director, David Coles. He is a very laid back, friendly guy with an incredible knowledge of Hand and Upper Limb Therapy. He wanted to create a clinic where patients feel comfortable and relaxed all while getting the best and most highly trained therapist treatment.