Health Nest

04/03/2026

Looking after a wound properly can make a big difference to how well you heal.

In our clinics we see wounds from surgery, cuts, tendon repairs, and accidents. While many wounds heal on their own, the way they are managed in those early stages can affect scar formation, stiffness, swelling, and long-term movement.

Good wound care is not just about protecting the skin, it’s about helping the underlying tissues heal well too.

Here are a few simple principles we often talk through with clients:

Keep it clean and dry
Dressings should stay dry when showering and shouldn’t sit soggy on the skin.

Protect the area
Keeping the wound covered helps prevent irritation and reduces infection risk.

Watch for changes
Redness spreading, increasing pain, unusual swelling or discharge should be checked.

Ask questions early
If you’re unsure about dressings, swelling, or how much you can move the area, it’s always better to ask.

Many people are surprised to learn that hand therapy often includes wound management, scar care, and guidance about how to safely start moving again.

When wounds are managed well early, it often means:
• less scar tightness
• better movement
• quicker return to normal activities

If you’ve had surgery or an injury to your hand, wrist or arm and you’re unsure how to manage the wound, we’re always happy to help guide you.

03/03/2026

Most mallet injuries don’t hurt much.

And that’s exactly why they often get ignored for a bit!

A mallet finger happens when the tendon that straightens the tip of your finger is damaged, usually from a sudden bend at the end joint.

You’ll notice:
• The fingertip droops
• You can’t actively straighten it
• It feels weak or floppy

Here’s what many people don’t realise:

Healing depends almost entirely on correct splinting.
Position matters.
Timing matters.
Consistency matters.

And some splints don't do the job well... which can change the outcome.

If you’ve recently injured your finger, this is worth a read. In our blog we talk about why these splints look great, but are not ideal for your mallet injury and why one of our custom made splints is the best option.

https://www.healthnest.com.au/post/3reasonswhystacksplintsarenotidealformalletinjuries

02/03/2026

Strengthening your hand after an injury isn’t about pushing harder.

It’s about progressing appropriately.

Rehabilitation exercises should match the stage of healing.
What’s appropriate at 2 weeks can be very different at 8 weeks.

A few general principles to keep in mind:

• Avoid strengthening into sharp or increasing pain
• Start light — the muscles in the hand are small and fatigue quickly
• A few minutes can be enough
• Little and often is often more effective than long sessions
• Gradual progression matters more than intensity

If your hand is still feeling weak, sore or not functioning as expected after an injury, an assessment can help determine what stage of recovery you’re in and what approach may be appropriate.

Appointments are available this week.
Bookings can be made online via our website or give us a call on 03 6338 1880
www.healthnest.com.au

01/03/2026

Pins & needles in your hand?

It can happen:
• During the day while typing or driving
• At night, waking you from sleep
• When holding your phone
• After gripping tools or gardening

Pins and needles is often a sign that a nerve is being compressed somewhere along its pathway.

Sometimes it’s temporary and settles on its own.
If it continues to return, it may indicate ongoing nerve irritation that benefits from assessment.

Common causes can include conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome or other areas of nerve compression in the arm.

If you’re noticing it more frequently, you may consider booking a hand & wrist assessment to better understand what’s happening.

Appointments are available this week.
Bookings can be made online via our website or by phoning us on 03 6338 1880

Health Nest provides occupational therapy for hand, wrist and arm injuries, upper and lower limb lymphoedema, and scar care.

27/02/2026

Finger catching, clicking or getting stuck when you bend it?

It might be what’s commonly known as trigger finger.

You may notice:
• A clicking or snapping sensation
• Stiffness first thing in the morning
• A finger that catches or locks when straightening
• Tenderness at the base of the finger

Sometimes it settles.
Sometimes it lingers.

If your finger isn’t moving the way it used to, an assessment can provide clarity about what’s happening and what options are available.

We have hand & wrist assessment appointments available this week.

Book online via our website.

Health Nest provides occupational therapy for hand, wrist and arm injuries, upper and lower limb lymphoedema, and scar care.

27/02/2026

Hand or wrist not quite right?

You don’t have to “wait and see.”

We have hand & wrist assessment appointments available this week at Health Nest, and early treatment often means faster recovery and less long-term stiffness.

We commonly help with:

• Wrist pain from typing or work
• Thumb pain (De Quervain’s / new parent wrist)
• Carpal tunnel symptoms
• Finger injuries that “aren’t that bad” but won’t bend properly
• Post-fracture stiffness
• Sporting injuries
• Tendon pain or clicking fingers

If it’s sore, stiff, weak, swollen, or just not working like it used to, let’s take a look.

What’s the worst that might happen?
We tell you it’s fine and give you peace of mind.

Book online now via our website
(Spots available this week with no waiting lists)

https://www.healthnest.com.au/

Health Nest provides occupational therapy for hand, wrist and arm injuries, upper and lower limb lymphoedema, and scar care.

24/02/2026

A lot of your grip strength actually comes from the ring and little finger side of your hand.

Yep. Not just your thumb and index finger.

And yet… the little finger is often the one people ignore.

“It’s just my pinky.”
“It’ll settle.”
“It’s not that important.”

But here’s the thing 👇

That outer side of your hand is your power side for gripping.
If your little finger can’t bend properly, it can get caught on clothing, bags, pockets, or tools.
Stiffness there can reduce overall grip strength and affect how confidently you hold things.

We often see people months down the track wishing they’d come in sooner.

And honestly?
What’s the worst that might happen if you book in?

We might say:
• “You’re all good.”
• Or we might help you avoid long-term stiffness or weakness.

Either way, you’ll have clarity.

If your little finger (or ring finger) isn’t bending, straightening or gripping like it should — let’s get it sorted.

👉 You can book online anytime via our website: www.healthnest.com.au

Don’t ignore the small things. They matter more than you think.

24/02/2026

🐴 Horse Riding & Wrist Pain – Let’s Talk About It 🖐️

Have you ever noticed hand or wrist pain after a long ride, doing the girth up tight enough, or handling reins?

Horse riding for many is one of life’s great joys — but it can place repetitive strain through your hands, wrists and arms in ways riders don’t always expect.

We’ve got a blog post on the Health Nest website about common causes of hand and wrist pain from horse riding, including:

• Nerve irritation (like carpal tunnel symptoms)
• Tendon overload and inflammation
• Ligament strain
• Old injuries flaring up
• Grip fatigue from reins and stable work

You can check out the full blog post and info here:
https://www.healthnest.com.au/post/horseridingwristpain

The earlier you address wrist or hand pain, the easier it is to settle things down and keep you doing what you love 🐎

If you’re noticing pain, tingling, weakness or stiffness, don’t wait until it becomes harder to manage.

You can book online anytime through our website and choose a time that suits you.

👉 Book your appointment here: www.healthnest.com.au

Let’s keep you riding comfortably and confidently (and happy!!)

07/10/2025

How many times have you said, “I’ll get that checked out soon”?
We hear it all the time .... but healing starts when you take that first step.

If pain or stiffness has been hanging around, let’s find out what’s really going on.

Book an assessment with our caring team and get the clarity (and relief) you’ve been waiting for.

02/10/2025

Not sure if your hand problem is “bad enough” for therapy?

The first step to improving pain, stiffness, or injury in your hand is a thorough assessment, even if your problem seems trivial or you are hoping it will "just get better". Maybe some guidance is just what you need.

Our therapists check movement, strength, and function, then guide you with a clear plan. No guessing. No going it alone. Just the right advice, right from the start.

12/09/2025

We are GROWING!!! We are inviting Occupational Therapists or Physiotherapists who have a love for working in hand therapy to consider this career option.

This position WOULD BE A GREAT MATCH for you if:

🖐You are looking for a career in hand and upper limb therapy that allows you to grow for the long term
🖐You love working in hand therapy and client outcomes light you up
🖐You like problem solving in assessments
🖐Making splints is your jam, and you enjoy being creative in therapy sessions
🖐You enjoy being around clients and welcome them with a big smile
🖐You don’t mind rolling up your sleeves and being part of a great team
🖐You love efficiency and have the initiative to get things done when you see they are needed
🖐You value yourself as a person. You are humble and kind and honesty is important to you.


We are looking for a therapist who has some hand and upper limb therapy experience already - maybe you have completed a university placement in hand therapy, or been working where you have had some exposure to a hand therapy role, or... maybe you have been putting yourself through hand therapy courses waiting for the right job to come up? Already have some good experience in your career so far? We love that too and are happy to nurture and grow your career. We have leadership opportunities for those wanting to step into something more.

We are keen for someone with good skills in splinting and skills to assess and treat a variety of hand injuries and conditions. You will get the opportunity to work closely with local plastic and orthopaedic surgeons and local GPs, and be part of a small business that is growing. We are based in Launceston, Tasmania and we value our staff, their time, and their skills. We promise a workplace that will challenge and stretch you as well as care and support you. We are a determined and driven team but we also know how to have fun.

Ideally we are looking for someone who is available full time, however if you are looking to return to work after having children and school hours suits you better, or you can’t quite commit to full time at the moment because you are studying or care for someone, please still apply as we are happy to be flexible for the right person.

Perks of the job include: ​

🖐Free and wide-ranging training opportunities with yearly training allowance
🖐Regular internal in-services and mentoring for clinical skill development
🖐Opportunity to be involved in additional activities such as research, teaching and developing additional services for the practice.
🖐Comprehensive support from our friendly administration team
🖐Flexibility with working hours to suit your lifestyle
🖐Benefit from our Team Happiness Program - it's important to us that our people are happy at work
🖐The opportunity to be part of something special - helping people who are recovering from injury and helping our team and business to grow
🖐Join in our Growth Check-ins.... quarterly chats for goal setting and being seen and heard.

​
About Us​

We are a team dedicated to providing therapy services to assist people to recover from injury, manage their condition, reduce pain and symptoms, and return to the activities they love. Our vision is to provide therapy that our clients and referrers can rely on, and we are on a mission to build a team of health professionals who can educate, support and care for our clients.

We are a small friendly team, and a place where you will be valued. We are winners of the Employer of Choice awards in Launceston…. We really are a great place to work. You won’t feel like a number and everyone in our workplace is treated with the same respect.

Salary is negotiable for the right candidate and we pay above award wages.

Why regional is awesome (and why we love it)
Living and working in Launceston gives you something pretty special: the chance to grow your career in a place where connection and community come naturally. You’ll know your clients and colleagues well, and you’ll get to work closely with local surgeons and referrers who value strong relationships.

Outside of the clinic, Tassie makes it easy to recharge. Think weekend walks in stunning national parks, fresh local produce and markets, and a creative, welcoming community. Launceston is a place where you can build a meaningful career and enjoy a lifestyle that’s balanced, beautiful, and full of opportunity.

How to apply for our hand therapy position:​

Take a leap! Give it a go. If the above sings to you – take a brave step forward and get your application in to us!

To apply, there are two things you need to do.

1. Send an email to Amy Geach (the boss!) and attach a cover letter telling us why you would love to be part of the Health Nest team in this role, and an updated copy of your resume. Send your application to amy@healthnest.com.au

Applications are open until 3rd October 2025

If you have questions, please also reach out and ask away.

Once we receive your application, we will be in contact with you.

Super easy!

Find out more here: https://www.healthnest.com.au/work-with-us

02/09/2025

We have a position available within our team in Launceston as our TRAINEE in Business Administration.

We are looking for someone special to join our team and it might be you! (or someone you know.... pass it along!)

About this position
This is a position that would involve joining our admin team and being on the front desk at our clinic in Launceston. This is the hub of our practice and we need someone with great customer service and a calling to be helpful and organised. In this role you would be supporting both clients and therapists to ensure everyone is feeling looked after. We are on the search for someone pretty amazing. We are looking for someone who is hard working, a delight to be around, and someone who is friendly and honest.

This position is suited to you if you’re available to work full time. We will consider part time for the right person, so still apply if you think you would be a great option for us. Throw your hat in the ring - you never know!

This position would be a great match for you if:
😀 You are looking for a career that allows you to grow for the long term
😀 You don’t mind rolling up your sleeves and doing a bit of hard work
😀 You are happy to follow systems and procedures to ensure consistency in your work
😀 You love efficiency and have the initiative to get things done when you see they are needed
😀 You are keen to engage in more training as needed and are keen to grow into the best version of yourself
😀 You are good at data entry, writing emails, formatting word documents and working on the computer
😀 You don’t mind talking on the phone. You are happy to handle inbound and outbound calls to our wonderful clients & referrers.
😀 You have a 'can do' attitude that tells us you won’t shy away from difficult tasks and you are happy to help out in a multitude of areas to help grow our business.
😀 You are thorough and avoid cutting corners, and are happy to ask questions if you need help or further direction.
😀 You value yourself as a person. You are humble and kind and honesty is important to you.

We promise a workplace that will challenge and stretch you as well as care and support you. We are a determined and driven team but we don't take ourselves too serious. We value career growth, and will make sure you have opportunities in the future to spread your wings within our workplace.

About Us
❤️ We are a team dedicated to providing therapy services to assist people to recover from injury, manage their condition, reduce pain and symptoms, and return to the activities they love. Our vision is to provide therapy that our clients and referrers can rely on, and we are on a mission to build a team of health professionals who can educate, support and care for our clients. We specialise in seeing people with hand and wrist injuries.
❤️ We are a small friendly team, and a place where you will be valued. We are winners of the Employer of Choice awards in Launceston…. We really are a great place to work. You won’t feel like a number and everyone in our workplace is treated with the same respect. We have recently been named as finalists in the CareSuper Business Awards this month, in the categories of Excellence in Training and Workplace Excellence.

How to apply:
Take a leap! Give it a go. If the above sings to you – take a brave step forward and get your application in to us!

To apply, there are two things you need to do.
1. Send an email to Amy Geach (the boss!) and attach a cover letter telling us why you would love to be part of the Health Nest team in this role, and an updated copy of your resume. Send your application to amy@healthnest.com.au

If you have questions, please also reach out and ask away.
Once we receive your application, we will be in contact with you.
Applications close at 5pm Friday 12 September (I know! - no time to over think it - get your application in if you are keen!).

- if you know anyone who this would be ideal for - feel free to share it.