The hands are an essential part of your life. They are the means through which you interact with your environment and loss of their use can be devastating. For many people, the role of a certified hand therapist serves as a lifeline to returning to a normal life.

Hand therapy, a service offered the Mettler Center by a licensed, registered occupational therapist, is for anyone who has had an interruption in the use of their hands or arms due to injury, surgery, or overuse.

What is hand therapy?

Hand therapy is a health profession devoted to the assessment and treatment of a wide variety of upper extremity conditions. Because of the technical complexity of the hand and arm, hand therapy requires the highest level of competence of both anatomy and physiology. Rehabilitation is provided by a hand therapist who will help you regain optimal use of your upper limb through functional exercises, modalities, and custom splinting to help restore range of motion, reduce pain, and promote functional strength.

How will you benefit?

At Mettler, our certified hand therapist is committed to helping you learn or regain the skills necessary for an independent and satisfying life. Working with your doctor, a certified hand therapist will evaluate your condition and implement the most effective treatment plan. Under the care of a hand therapist, you will be given effective ways to help restore functional abilities in your daily life, allowing a return to the activities that give you pleasure and a sense of purpose.

What is the next step?

Call 217.398.9800 to schedule your initial appointment. The Mettler Center generally can schedule new clients within a week of calling, if not sooner. The state of Illinois is currently a “limited direct access” state, which allows us to complete your initial evaluation without a referral. For treatment to be initiated, a referral may be necessary. If you see your doctor for an injury or ailment, you may request to be referred to Mettler Therapy Services, regardless of whether you are a Mettler Center fitness member. We accept most major insurance plans and will file your claims for you. If you have any questions about your condition or insurance coverage, please give us a call. We look forward to serving you.

What is a hand therapist?

A hand therapist is an occupational therapist or physical therapist who, through advanced study, specializes in rehabilitating patients with conditions affecting the hands and upper extremities. Certified hand therapists (CHT's) have a minimum of five years of clinical experience, including 2,000 hours of direct practice in hand therapy, and have successfully passed an examination of advanced clinical skills and theory in upper extremity rehabilitation.

Having CHT credentials distinguishes a therapist as someone with the highest professional credential in the specialty of upper extremity rehabilitation. A CHT is part of an exceptional group of therapists who have met the standards set by experts in hand therapy. They have demonstrated their professional commitment to excellence by obtaining these voluntary credentials.

The Highest Standard of Care

When you are in the care of a certified hand therapist at the Mettler Center you will receive:

• Accurate assessments, immediate care, and effective treatment to reduce overall treatment time.
• Continuum of care to eliminate the need for multiple medical providers.
• Faster recovery which results in decreased medical costs.
• Resulting functional outcomes to ensure a faster return to work and productive lifestyle.
• Patient training and education for prevention or recurrence of repetitive injuries.

Common Injuries

Hand therapy treatments can benefit anyone who has had an interruption of function in daily activities. Common diagnoses in hand therapy are:

• Fractures
• Flexor or extensor tendon injuries
• Nerve injuries or compression syndromes
• Arthritis
• Impingement syndromes
• Shoulder-hand syndrome
• Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (now known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)
• Tendonitis
• Amputations
• Burns
• Tumors or cysts
• Sprains or strains

A certified hand therapist is also skilled in evaluating:

• Wounds
• Scars
• Edema/lymphedema
• Sensation/pain
• Ergonomics
• Adaptive devices
• Neurological conditions
• Strength
• Range of motion
• Activities of daily living
• Splinting
• Endurance

The Mettler Center also works extensively with clients who have experienced a traumatic or repetitive strain injury related to their work. Call 217.398.9800 to schedule your appointment.

Insurance

Statement Regarding Handling Insurance

We bill all health insurance providers. While we won't necessarily belong to the same network as your health insurance provider, we will accept them. All insurance companies have different plans for reimbursement.  Please contact your insurance company or our office for specific information.

Insurance Companies We Accept

We will gladly bill your insurance company for any charges you incur. Mettler accepts most providers including Cigna and University of Illinois student insurance. We are in-network providers for BlueCross/BlueShield PPO, Medicare, Community Partners Health Plan, Humana, and WebTPA. All Health Alliance PPOs, certain Health Alliance HMOs (including the University of Illinois HMO plan), and Principal Life and Health Insurance PPO plans would also be considered in-network with the Mettler Center. Please call 217.398.9800 for full details.

Policies For Filing Insurance

Mettler will file most insurance claims. We will try to accommodate our clients as much as possible, but it is still your responsibility to verify insurance coverage and benefits before treatment begins.

Workers Compensation

Mettler will be happy to take on any cases approved by the Workers' Compensation carrier.

Patient Testimonials

Mettler Therapy Services have been transforming lives in Champaign county for over 15 years. With the addition of a certified hand therapist, Mettler is committed to specialized upper extremity rehabilitation with results.

“I enjoyed being here and having such a knowledgeable therapist working for me. This was one of the best facilities I’ve ever been to.”

-Stan Adkisson, Champaign

“Over the course of treatment I have enjoyed every hour and every exercise given to me by my therapist, Sheila. If I should ever need therapy again, I would like it to be with Sheila at the Mettler Center.”

-V. Tean Neal, Decatur

“Excellent treatment. My therapist (Sheila) was great. I would recommend Mettler to anybody!”

-Jackie Coykendall, Villa Grove

Appointments

How To Make An Appointment

To make an appointment, please call us at 217.398.9800.

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm

Cancellation Policy

You must call or contact us at least 24 hours ahead of time, to avoid our cancellation fee of $50.

Availability Of Appointments

Generally, appointments are available the same day you call, but occasionally you might have to wait an additional day.

FAQ

How do I schedule an appointment?

To make an appointment, please call us at 217.398.9800.

Am I eligible for occupational therapy?

We accept private insurance, private payments, Medicare, and student insurance. Anyone is eligible for occupational therapy—it’s just a matter of working out the financial compensation options. If occupational therapy would not be an appropriate or necessary solution for you, we will likely determine this early on and refer you to the appropriate health care provider.

Why see a hand therapist?

A recognized specialist in hand therapy is a certified hand therapist, or CHT, as designated by the Hand Therapy Certification Committee (HTCC). A CHT is an occupational or physical therapist with a minimum of five years clinical experience and has passed an examination of advanced clinical skills and theory in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation. This recognition distinguishes an occupational or physical therapist as someone with the highest professional credentials in the specialty of upper extremity rehabilitation. CHT's are an exceptional group of therapists who have voluntarily met standards and shown their professional commitment to excellence and dedication to staying current in the field. The technical complexity of hand treatments requires the highest level of competence. CHT's have advanced skills in upper extremity rehabilitation and are knowledgeable about advanced surgical techniques and post operative treatment programs.

Who sees a hand therapist?

Anyone who suffers loss of function from an injury, surgery, an accident, overuse or lack of use of their hands should see a CHT. These disorders may affect the hand, wrist, elbow or shoulder.

Do I have to see a doctor first?

The state of Illinois requires a physician referral for you to receive an evaluation and treatment by an occupational therapist. Insurance companies differ regarding doctor referrals. Medicare specifically requires a doctor’s referral before treatment can begin.

How long will my visits last?

Your visit with an occupational therapist will vary from 30 to 60 minutes.

Will I see the same occupational therapist each time?

We make every concession to have you see the same therapist each time. On the rare occasion that this isn’t possible, another one of our trained therapists will cover your appointment(s) as needed, until your primary therapist’s schedule opens up. Less than 10% of our clients see more than one therapist for their treatments.

Is it ok to ask my doctor about occupational therapy?

After an initial evaluation, the occupational therapist will write a note to send to your doctor regarding the findings, rehab potential, and plan of care. Prior to each doctor follow-up visit, we will send a progress note with updates and recommendations, regarding your plan of care. These progress notes are sent every four weeks as needed. We will also make phone calls, write emails, or send faxes as necessary to communicate all the needs in your best interests.

How do I get to see a CHT?

A hand therapist works closely with a physician to provide a continuum of care for patients. Upon referral from your physician, an evaluation is conducted in which a treatment plan is formed. This is communicated to the referred physician through an initial evaluation report and successive monthly progress notes or as needed.

What training do occupational therapists have?

Currently occupational therapy programs are Bachelor's and Master's level degrees. All occupational therapists have intensive training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, psychology, bio mechanics, and splinting. Occupational therapists at the Mettler Center have clinical education to stay current with the profession and techniques of occupational therapy. Occupational therapists are trained in MRT® and practice clinical skills with other therapy staff members weekly, including physical therapists.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothes. Wearing a short sleeve shirt or sleeveless top helps access the arm easier. For shoulder treatments, women should wear a sports bra or utilize the clothing Mettler has available. If you forget to bring necessary clothing, or if acquiring the clothing is an issue, we are happy to provide sports bras and gowns to accommodate and respect your modesty and privacy.

What should I bring?

Bring your insurance card, a doctor’s referral (if needed), appropriate clothing (see above), and any questions you might have. Also, you should bring any operative reports, diagnostic tests (x-rays, MRI, etc.) or protocols your physician has given you.

What office policies should I be aware of?

It’s important to know that Mettler charges a $50 fee to clients who fail to show up for an appointment without calling ahead. Because of scheduling, if you are late to an appointment, it might not be possible for you to have your full session time. But if for some reason, your physical therapist is late, we will make every effort to allot your full session time.

Why choose Mettler Occupational Therapy?

We would recommend that you choose Mettler for your occupational therapy needs for the following reasons:

• Mettler is the only facility to practice our specialized manual therapy technique (MRT)
• You will see only one therapist
• You will receive one-on-one evaluation and treatment from a licensed and registered occupational therapist
• Mettler has a great reputation, and we are committed to providing individualized treatments to meet your needs
• We have access to state-of-the-art wellness facilities and staff, (including massage therapists, registered dietitians, and personal trainers)
• Mettler also has a good relationship with referring doctors in Champaign County and the surrounding areas.

Will my insurance cover occupational therapy?

We accept most non-HMO insurance carriers, but you are still responsible for obtaining your policy details—knowing what coverage your policy has, and what remainder (if any) you are expected to pay.