I see you.
Living with hEDS often means you have to fight just to be believed…by family, friends – even your own healthcare providers. We see you.
welcome
Hand Wellness OT is focused on Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
We provide Occupational Therapy that addresses the needs of the hEDS Community.
If you haven’t heard of Occupational Therapy, you are not alone. Our goal is to help our patients get back to the activities of daily living that are most meaningful to them. Has chronic pain made taking care of your family more difficult? Do your fingers feel like they are going to snap or break just by holding a book or holding a dinner plate? OT for Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome can help stabilize your joints, strengthen your body safely, and develop strategies to conserve your time and energy. Want to learn more? Read on!
What Does Hypermobile EDS feel like?
Lax Joints
hypermobility
Do you consider yourself to be double jointed? Sometimes persons with hEDS perform “party tricks” to show off their bendy bodies. While this may be harmless to many people (dancers, athletes, gymnasts) persons with hEDS weaker connective tissue, which can result in instability throughout the body.
Fatigue
constant or sudden onset
EDS doesn’t just affect joints. Think of connective tissue as the body’s glue. It hold our bones in place as well as organs and other structures in our body. hEDS suffered literally struggle to “hold it all together”, which can result in fatigue and decreased endurance to perform all of our activities of daily living.
Chronic Pain
wrist, hands, and fingers
Chronic pain is a common thread among most hEDS sufferers. Unstable joints and weak connective tissue can often damage joints over time. As we age, the cartilage that lines our joints wears down – making us more prone to arthritis and other conditions that result in chronic pain.
you may be wondering…
Is OT for Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Right For Me?
Currently there is no cure for hEDS. Your medical team is vital to helping you through this life-long journey. Occupational Therapists are skilled in movement and occupational analysis, joint protection strategies, adaptations and modifications. Identifying your triggers and developing a plan could help you manage long-term complications. Talk to your doctor about adding OT to your current treatment plan.
My name is Susanne, and I’m here to help you get the help you need.
Board Certified Occupational therapist
Compassion…this is my specialty. I understand because I live with Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome also. For most of my life I struggled to understand and even explain what I was experiencing. When I was diagnosed, I shifted my own practice to focus on helping others feel seen, heard. and believed.
Let’s get started
does this sounds like you?
While your struggles are unique, there are many common themes in discussions with other hEDS sufferers. Here’s what they’re saying…
Therapy Seems To Hurt More Than It Helps
If you are new to therapy, you may walk in with full faith and trust that you will walk out feeling better. But all too often patients walk out feeling worse. This often occurs because the therapist may be unfamiliar with how to treat a person with such a rare and poorly understood condition. Hand Wellness OT understands and respects your limits. And if you prefer to see someone closer to home, our initial evaluations are comprehensive and can be shared with your local providers, so they can better understand your limits, too.
I’m Tired of Explaining Myself To Everyone
Welcome. We know what a burden this must be and how you may be struggling to be understood. Rest assured we will not dismissed here. You pain is not “all in your mind”. You aren’t making this up. We want to hear your story. Our initial evaluation is accompanied by a report than can be shared with other healthcare providers, providing an objective picture that can be shared with your entire team. As a member of your health care team, we regularly reach out to your doctor and keep them updated on your progress.
Doing Simple Everyday Tasks Are Difficult
Occupational Therapists are skilled in analyzing movement patterns and identifying triggers that lead to pain. Also, we can develop a list of your most meaningful activities, break down the tasks into small pieces, and create strategies to make these tasks easier to complete. If you are working with a great physical therapist, we can provide updates on your progress accordingly. Physical Therapists are vital to your journey; we aim to work with them and update them as they work to improve your core strength.
I’m Not Sure Where To Start or What I Need
Because an hEDS diagnosis can be overwhelming, you may not know where to start. We can work with you to find solutions that work best for your unique concerns. We provide clients with a full assessments that considers the whole person, their environment and occupations. Once we have a full picture we create goals that help you complete your daily activities with less pain and discomfort. OT for Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome may be a great solution for you!
OT sessions for Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
In Person Sessions
new york city
We are located in the heart on New York City, and steps away from Grand Central Station, Bryant Park, and the New York Public Library. Additionally, some nearby accommodations include Bryant Park Hotel, Hyatt Centric Midtown, and The Library Hotel.
Grand Central Terminal’s main entrance is located at 89 E. 42nd Street (at Park Avenue). It is accessible via the 4, 5, 6, 7, and S subway lines, the the M101, M102, M103, M1, M2, M3, M4, Q32 and M42 buses, and the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines on Metro North. The Port Washington line on Long Island Railroad is also accessible at Grand Central Station.
Telehealth Sessions
available for NY State Residents ONLY
If traveling to our location is not possible, we are able to offer Telehealth sessions to New York State Residents instead.
Telehealth sessions are perfect for consults and guidance on how to get started regardless of where you are in your journey. This generally includes Pacing Strategies, Home Modifications, and Adaptations. Additionally, Ticket To Work guidance can all be provided in the comfort of your home. As your doctor if OT for Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome via Telehealth can help you.
here’s what we do
OT Services for Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
custom hand & finger splints
silver ring splint sizing
eds informed strengthening
upper extremity rehabilitation
home assessments
customized shopping lists for adaptations
SSDI, ticket to work and PASS consults
pacing and energy conservation strategies
Ready to work together?
Let’s Get Started!
Presently Initial Evaluations are $250 and Treatment Sessions are $175. We are Out-Of-Network with most health insurances, and offer discounts when you purchase one of our bundled packages. The total is due prior to the Initial Evaluation.
- ✔️ Initial Evaluation
- ✔️ 4 In-Person Treatment Sessions
- ✔️ 4 Telehealth Sessions
- ✔️ Individualized Care Plan
- ✔️ Detailed Report sent to your Physician
- ✔️ Custom Pacing Plan
- ✔️ Silver Ring Splint Sizing and Forms
- ✔️ 10% Discount on Custom Splints
- ✔️ Home Exercise Plan
- ✔️ Customized Shopping List for Adaptations
- ✔️ Initial Evaluation
- ✔️ 3 Telehealth Sessions
- ✔️ Individualized Care Plan
- ✔️ Detailed Report sent to your Physician
- ✔️ Custom Pacing Plan
- ✔️ Customized Shopping List for Adaptations
- ✔️ Customized Patient Education
- ✔️ Home Assessment
- ✔️ Initial Evaluation
- ✔️ 1 Follow-Up Telehealth Session
- ✔️ Detailed Report sent to your Physician
- ✔️ Custom Pacing Plan
- ✔️ Patient Report With Modifications
- ✔️ Shopping List for Adaptations
It was hard to find a hand therapy OT that knew how to make ring splints, or even someone who knew what Ehlers Danlos was. My hands and fingers feel so much more stable now. Thank you Susanne.
Victoria H.
Clientwhat to expect
Our OT Process for Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
01. consult
Schedule a 15 minute call today. The right connections matters and it makes all the difference when you feel good about starting OT. We will talk for a few minutes to get an idea if we are a right fit for each other. If it feels right, I will send you a link so you can fill out our forms.
02. evaluation
An initial evaluation consists of a physical assessment, occupational analysis, medical history. Secondly, we look closely at your range of motion, discuss your goals, and develop an individualized treatment plan based on your needs, occupation, and lifestyle. Lastly, a report is sent directly to your physician.
03. treatment
We work with other members of your health team by addressing joint protection strategies, safe strengthening, and much much more. We also provide your prescribing doctor with progress reports and collaborate with your PT (at your request) to assure there is no overlap in care.
04. resources
Patient education is a big part of any treatment plan, especially for anyone with hEDS. Hand Wellness OT believes that knowledge isn’t just power…it is also Peace. Therefore, understanding your body and how it functions allows you to be more in control of your motion, stability and pain.
new location
Visit Us in NYC
501 5th Avenue, Suite 1203, New York, NY 10017
Call: (516) 472-0973
Fax: (516) 261-7184
e-mail: nyc@hwot.sprucecare.com
Ready to begin treating Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome with OT?
I can’t wait to work with you!
Susanne Corrales OTR/L
Owner & Founder
Susanne received her Bachelor’s Degree from Seton Hall University and a Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy from Mercy College. She is also an active participant in the EDS ECHO program. Susanne has advanced training in Upper Extremity Orthopedics, Home Health, and Holistic Health. Her specialty is treating conditions and injuries of the hands, wrists and fingers.