- Blog
Occupational Therapy Month
Posted on 08-28-2025 in Wrist, certified hand therapy, occupational therapy, Arm, Hand & Elbow by Dr. Steven Kronlage, Dr. Alex Coleman, Dr. James Piorkowski
Posted on 08-28-2025 in Wrist, certified hand therapy, occupational therapy, Arm, Hand & Elbow by Dr. Steven Kronlage, Dr. Alex Coleman, Dr. James Piorkowski
During the month of April, we want to take the opportunity to recognize Occupational Therapy Month and our highly skilled Certified Hand Therapists (CHT) who are board-certified in Occupational Therapy with a board certification in Hand Therapy. This additional qualification in the upper extremities requires 4,000 hours of patient care, three years of clinical experience and passing an advanced comprehensive exam.
When it comes to sustaining and optimizing the desired outcomes of your orthopaedic health, specialized hand therapy is instrumental in expediting the healing process, increasing mobility, and extending the overall functionality of the upper extremities. CHTs bridge the gap by providing non-operative interventions, preventative care, and post-surgical rehabilitation for various upper extremity disorders. They also help patients prevent re-injury by teaching them how to protect their hands and arms during daily activities and providing injury prevention education.
Under the guidance of North Florida Bone & Joint Specialists' fellowship-trained Hand Surgeons or in coordination with your own provider, our CHTs begin by evaluating the patient's medical history and muscular and skeletal limitations with daily activities. They will also perform a series of evaluations concerning sensory, perceptual and neural issues. Additionally, they will assess the surrounding vascular, skin and connective tissue involved with the surgery or injury.
Further understanding these factors will help our care team determine a comprehensive set of goals and a treatment plan that best serves the patient. Depending on the condition or injury, a comprehensive plan of care may include a combination of the following:
Regardless of your needs, our team of fellowship-trained surgeons, Dr. Steven Kronlage, Dr. Alex Coleman and Dr. James Piorkowski, work closely with our CHTs to provide patients with the most appropriate treatment options. With same-day and next-day appointments available in Gulf Breeze at the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine (Suite 209) and in Pensacola on 9th Avenue, our goal is to make visits as accessible as possible. Call 850.807.4200 or complete our online appointment request form to schedule a visit.
July is Park & Recreation Month, a national celebration of the green spaces and recreational opportunities that help communities thrive. At North Florida Bone & Joint Specialists, we believe this observance is the perfect reminder of how time spent outdoors isn’t just good for the soul—it’s good for your joints, too.
With temperatures already in the eighties or higher across the Florida Panhandle, staying hydrated is critical for the health of your joints, not just for your overall health. While water intake is most commonly associated with skin health, digestion and energy levels, hydration is just as vital in keeping your joints moving comfortably and efficiently. Below are a few of the most common questions, along with answers, to help stay “fluid” in the Florida heat.
With the school year beginning soon, many parents, including me, are busy checking off supply lists and preparing our kids for the transition back to the classroom. But as a Sports Medicine physician and a parent, I know that ensuring a healthy and safe school year goes far beyond pencils and paper. The start of school is the perfect time to review a few key safety and wellness practices with your children, especially when it comes to backpack safety, hydration, and nutrition.