FAQ

Where is your office?

I can do virtual appointments with you or come to your home or workplace. No need to travel anywhere!

What are your hours?

I can accommodate you during evenings or weekends, but I am flexible and can work with your schedule if you contact me.

How long are your appointments?

Generally, an ergonomic assessment can be completed in one hour or less. Telehealth sessions can also be completed in this time frame, but I am a good listener, so I have been known to give extra time if you need it.

How do I set up an appointment?

Contact me at (267) 603-4516 or info@chrgtherapy.com.

I will send you an email with detailed instructions on what you need to do to access virtual appointments.

For in-person appointments at your workplace, we can talk about it!

What is your cancellation policy?

Appointments must be canceled at least 12 hours in advance. There will be a $50 cancellation fee if this requirement is not met.

How do I know if I need an ergonomic assessment?

If you struggle with aches or pains that have worsened throughout your workday, it could be due to your work setup. These initial aches and pains can develop into full-fledged injuries if left untreated or unchanged.

Most people have heard of carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is considered a repetitive stress injury, and there are numerous other syndromes and injuries that fall under this category. They are caused by “awkward postures” in your back, arms, legs, wrists, etc., during your workday. When these awkward postures are repeated daily, your soft tissue (ligaments, cartilage, tendons) begins to wear down or become inflamed.

We can stop this process from occurring when you treat this early. I am trained to assess whether your workspace works for you, and your joints might be exposed to awkward posturing or repetition. So if you wonder if your workspace needs to be changed, have had a recent onset of pain, or find yourself suddenly achy, you are appropriate for an ergonomic assessment!

How do I know if I would benefit from telehealth?

If you have received a doctor’s prescription for “Hand Therapy” or “OT,” or maybe have not received a doctor’s prescription but have just been wondering about what your pain is in your hand (or shoulder, elbow, fingers, etc.), then you could benefit from a session with me. We can talk about the plan and whether you would benefit from continued sessions or need another type of service. I am honest, fair, and a good listener, so bring your questions!

What do you do in a telehealth hand therapy session with clients?

First off, I listen to your questions and concerns. Then I can visually inspect your injury. I can assess the range of motion of your shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand with a goniometer as you move on the screen.

I can also assess your general strength based on handling a few household objects you may have on hand. From there, we can talk about a plan moving forward. Your plan may include further sessions, a referral for splinting, a doctor, etc.

We will work on your goals during follow-up sessions, whether to gain more strength or range of motion, etc. To do this, I will ask you to gather household items so that you don’t have to spend money on specific gadgets, but I can also make recommendations if you want to purchase specific equipment.

Each session, I will ask you to bring your “therapy goody bag” of items, and we will work on safely progressing you toward your goals.

What happens during a virtual ergonomic assessment?

The virtual platform offers a fantastic way for me to see your workspace when convenient for you.

All you need is a phone or a computer with a camera. I will ask you to set up the camera at different angles so that I can watch you work. I can then assess whether you are susceptible to “awkward postures” and repetitiveness that may increase your risk of injury.

I will then give you thorough instruction on reducing your risk of injury or your present aches/pains, which may include recommendations for ergonomic equipment and how to use it.

What’s your professional training and experience?

I graduated with my Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University in 2010. I grew a love of the Hand Therapy specialty while on one of my clinical rotations.

I then worked at the Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center as a Hand Therapist for 11 years, during which I specialized in treating shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand injuries. I also received a specialty certification in ergonomics assessment and grew to love treating the working population with work-related injuries.

I now really enjoy being a patient/client advocate and strive to treat clients as if they are my family members.

I work from home. Do you prefer cats or dogs on-screen during our virtual appointments?

I love both.

However, I have a few cats that might be on my screen checking you out if you are okay with that.

What does your computer workstation look like?

I try to practice what I preach. So my workstation is set up to avoid some of the “awkward postures” I talk about with my clients.

With my 5’1” frame, I have a setup that prevents me from shrugging my shoulders to reach up for my computer on the desk. It used to be that people like me would sit on a phone book, but since we don’t have those anymore (remember those?) I have found a chair that does the job and suits me well.

Do you use the ergonomic equipment you recommend?

Yes, I do.

I like to experiment with equipment to know what I am recommending. Some equipment has high claims but may actually cause more harm than good, and I like to know that.

Have you ever had any injuries like the clients you work with?

Yes, I have actually been a patient before.

Through the years, I have had my fair share of symptoms. From repetitive stress injuries (carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow), I have personally learned how to manage such conditions to stop the pain and prevent symptoms from worsening.

I have also been a post-surgery patient for my left elbow following a fall from my bike that led to a ligament reconstruction due to an unstable elbow. I understand how debilitating pain can be and how it can keep you from being productive and feeling like yourself.