Hand therapy clinic to treat injuries, pain, trauma, tendonitis, fractures and scars in the arms and hands - offered by Occupational Therapists
Jen Kaess grew up and Ballarat and after studying in Melbourne and gaining experience and expertise at multiple other centres both in Metro Melbourne, regionally and internationally before setting up in private practice in Ballarat. After working in a local clinic for many years, she decided that it was time to venture out on her own, to offer unique and compassionate Hand Therapy services to the people of Ballarat and surrounds. With a clear goal of offering exceptional customer service, excellent and evidenced based therapeutic intervention in a welcoming and supportive environment the location of Restore Allied Health was selected and she has worked very hard to ensure the team are exceeding this goal. We are so lucky that Rachael Leigh joined the team to be our Office Manager to keep the whole place running smoothly. Restore Hand therapy is offered by Jen Kaess as the principal Occupational therapist. Karen Goodwin and Emma Allan also provide exceptional Hand Therapy services at Restore Hand Therapy. Jen is also an Accredited Hand therapist as awarded by the AHTA, and has achieved the internationally recognised Certified Hand Therapist status. The therapists are experienced in Acute and long term hand and upper limb splinting. Jen is also experienced in Dry Needling. Restore Hand therapy offers a sports clinic on Monday afternoons to see people who have sustained finger, hand, wrist and elbow injuries at sport over the weekend. We endeavor to support our patients to continue to play sport safely with appropriate bracing, taping and education if at all possible, while they recover. Karen Goodwin is a kind and experienced OT with with many years of experience in pain management, arthritis and other degenerative condition care and her practical and caring intervention. Emma Allan has recently joined and has a passion for Hand therapy for almost a decade now. She is loving the teams experience and comes with a creative, driven and dynamic style to work with patients to get their best outcomes. Both Emma and Karen are participating in formal hand therapy extended education and get frequent mentorship from Jen and each other, so you will always get the benefit of all of the teams experience. Degenerative, overuse, trauma, surgical, arthritic and pain conditions of the hand and arm are expertly assessed and managed with care, compassion and skill, to maximise function and minimise pain and scaring in a timely and supportive way, to help our patients reach their goals and continue to function as quickly as possible. We primarily use Woodcast for splinting. Woodcast is a biodegradable and sustainable splinting material with all the properties of the thermoplastics we have used for decades but will become compost within a couple years if left in the garden.
10/11/2025
Some positive feedback from our patients after their first visit.
November is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Awareness Month.
CRPS is chronic pain that can present in the hand, arm, or feet, and leg. This pain can develop after an injury, surgery, or stroke. Rarely it can occur spontaneously.
The exact cause of CRPS isn't well understood but can include nerve dysfunction and affect how the brain perceives pain and body parts.
CRPS is characterised by changes in skin colour, temperature, and/or swelling and sweating. Pain can be constant and or intense and disproportionate to the cause of injury. But this pain is definitely real.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing CRPS of the upper limb, know that Restore Hand Therapy are here to help and support you.
Restore Hand Therapy will be closed Melbourne Cup Public Holiday Tuesday 4th November.
We will be back ready to go on Wednesday 5th November.
During this time you can still book your appointments online at restorehands.com.au or leave a message and we will return your call.
Thank you for your understanding ๐
30/10/2025
H A P P Y H A L L O W E E N !
๐ Your fingers have fingertips but your toes don't have toe tips. Yet you can tiptoe but not tip finger.
๐๐ง๐ฃ๐๐๐
Have a spooktacular day ๐ป๐๐ง๐งโโ๏ธ
28/10/2025
Our lovely team is having a little break to re charge our batteries before the silly season.
We will be back, refreshed and ready to go on Wednesday 6th November.
During this time you can still book your appointments online at restorehands.com.au or leave a message and we will return your call.
Thank you for your understanding ๐
27/10/2025
Getting together in Pink!
We had a lovely team morning tea get together last Thursday to acknowledge 'Breast Cancer Awareness Month' .
Itโs more than just wearing a colourโitโs about showing support and spreading awareness.
26/10/2025
Happy National OT Week!
At Restore Hand Therapy we have 2 OT's with specialist training in Hand Therapy.
This yearโs theme, Occupational Therapy in Action, invites us to highlight the creativity, problem-solving, and compassion at the heart of OT practice.
So lets take the chance to appreciate the work all OT's do and to help spread awareness around the value of Occupational Therapy within the health profession ๐ค
22/10/2025
The joints in our hands are common areas for arthritis, and when these joints become arthritic they can make every day activities very difficult and even painful.
While there is no cure for arthritis, various treatment options can help manage the symptoms and improve hand function.
Call us on 5303 0333 or book online with one of our Hand Therapists to make an appointment to discuss treatment options.
Joint hypermobility is common in the general population It affects 1-4% of people and is often familial.
Joint hypermobility varies in severity from simple joint hypermobility to Hypermobility Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). Diagnosis of hEDS is via clinical diagnosis for patients who meet all the criteria.
Hand therapy for Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) focuses on managing pain, improving joint stability, and enhancing hand function through a combination of education, exercises, and even beautiful custom made silver ring splints.
If you have been diagnosed with hEDs or are hypermobile and interested in Silver Ring Splints book an appointment to see one of our compassionate hand therapists today.
Today weโre celebrating the incredible work of all allied health professionals who help people live healthier, more independent lives.
As Occupational Therapists and Hand Therapists, weโre proud to be part of this teamโhelping hands heal, move, and thrive every day! ๐ช๐๏ธ
13/10/2025
Be sure to tune in to ABC Ballarat 107.9FM at 4.30pm today and listen to Jen talk with Prue Bentley all about Splinting & Braces and their benefits when used appropriately.
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Restore Hand Therapy posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Jen Kaess grew up and Ballarat and after studying in Melbourne and gaining experience and expertise at multiple other centres both in Metro Melbourne, regionally and internationally before setting up in private practice in Ballarat. After working in a local clinic for many years,eh s decided that it was time to venture out on her own, to offer unique and compassionate Hand Therapy services to the people of Ballarat and surrounds.
With a clear goal of offering exceptional customer service, excellent and evidenced based therapeutic intervention in a welcoming and supportive environment the location of Restore Allied Health was selected and she has worked very hard to ensure the team are exceeding this goal. We are so lucky that Rachael Leigh joined the team to be our Office Manager to keep the whole place running smoothly.
Restore Hand therapy is offered by Jen Kaess as the principal Occupational therapist. Fiona Orton and Renee Rock also work with Restore Hand Therapy. BOth Fiona and Renee also provide Hand Therapy services at Ballarat Health Service- All therapists at Restore Hand Therapy have earned the highest level of recognition in Australia as an Accredited Hand therapist as awarded by the AHTA, and all therapists have achieved the internationally recognised Certified Hand Therapist status. The therapists are experienced in Acute and long term hand and upper limb splinting. Jen and Fiona are also experienced in Dry Needling.
Restore Hand therapy offers a sports clinic on Monday afternoons to see people who have sustained finger, hand, wrist and elbow injuries at sport over the weekend. We endeavor to support our patients to continue to play sport safely with appropriate bracing, taping and education if at all possible, while they recover.
Degenerative, overuse, trauma, surgical, arthritic and pain conditions of the hand and arm are expertly assessed and managed with care, compassion and skill, to maximise function and minimise pain and scaring in a timely and supportive way, to help our patients reach their goals and continue to function as quickly as possible.
We primarily use Woodcast for splinting. Woodcast is a biodegradable and sustainable splinting material with all the properties of the thermoplastics we have used for decades but will become compost within a couple years if left in the garden.