Written by Mavis Tham, Shamaine Soh and Yuna Zhuang, Principal Hand Occupational Therapists at Phoenix Rehab.Clinically reviewed by Nigel Chua, Principal Hand Occupational Therapist & Director, AHPC A1300362Z.Last reviewed 8 October 2026.
An occupational therapist (OT) helps you do the things you need and want to do each day, from dressing and cooking to typing, lifting and returning to work, after an injury, illness or surgery.
Occupational therapists in Singapore work in hospitals, schools, eldercare and private clinics, and each setting focuses on different needs. Choosing the right kind of OT matters as much as choosing the clinic.
At Phoenix Rehab Group, our hand occupational therapists focus on the hand and upper limb. They help adults get back to daily life and work after hand, wrist and elbow injuries, surgery, and conditions such as arthritis and repetitive strain injury.
Many of our OTs also work as hand therapists, so they can make splints, treat swelling and scars, and plan your return to work in the same appointment.
You do not need a doctor’s referral. If a hand, wrist or elbow problem is getting in the way of work or daily tasks, schedule an occupational therapy assessment.
Occupational therapy at a glance
| What an OT does | Helps you do daily tasks, work and leisure after injury, illness or disability |
| Who OTs help | Children, adults and older adults, through different areas of practice |
| Phoenix OT focus | Hand and upper limb, work and ergonomics, daily living after hand, wrist and elbow injury or surgery |
| An appointment includes | Assessment of your goals and hand function, task training, splints and aids, a home program |
| Registration | Occupational therapists in Singapore register with the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) |
| Referral | Not required at Phoenix; some insurers ask for one |
| Clinics | Orchard, Serangoon, Tampines, Tanjong Pagar, and Jurong East (opening 20 October 2026) |
What does an occupational therapist do?
Occupational therapy takes its name from “occupation”, meaning everything you do in a day: looking after yourself, working, studying, caring for others and enjoying your free time. An OT starts with your goals, then looks at three things: you, the task and your surroundings. Treatment changes one or more of them.
- You: building hand strength, movement, coordination and confidence.
- The task: teaching new ways to do it, or breaking it into steps.
- The surroundings: changing tools, equipment, your workstation or your home.
At Phoenix, that work looks like this:
- Retraining hand use after a tendon repair, fracture or nerve injury.
- Making custom splints to protect, rest or support a joint.
- Reviewing a workstation or job task for repetitive strain injury.
- Suggesting tools and adaptations for finger arthritis and thumb joint pain.
- Planning a staged return to work after an injury or operation
Types of occupational therapy in Singapore
Occupational therapists train across all areas, then build experience in one or two. Match the type of OT to your need.
| Type of OT | Type of OT | Examples | At Phoenix |
| Pediatric OT | Children with developmental, learning, sensory or motor needs | Handwriting, sensory processing, autism, ADHD, play and self-care skills | No |
| Neurological OT | Adults after stroke or brain injury, or with neurological conditions | Arm recovery, daily living retraining, thinking skills | We do treat neurologically inflammation from orthopedic or post surgical, but not for post stroke or brain injury |
| Hand and upper limb OT (hand therapy) | People with hand, wrist and elbow injuries, surgery or conditions | Splints, exercise, scar and swelling care, task training | Yes |
| Work rehabilitation and ergonomics | Workers returning after injury, or with work-related pain | Workstation review, job task analysis, graded return to work | Yes |
| Geriatric and home safety OT | Older adults and their caregivers | Falls prevention, home changes, assistive devices | No |
| Mental health OT | People living with mental health conditions | Routines, coping skills, work and community participation | No |
Occupational therapy for children. Phoenix does not provide pediatric developmental occupational therapy – For children, ask your pediatrician about pediatric OT services, such as the child development units at public hospitals.
Occupational therapist vs physiotherapist
| Occupational therapist | Physiotherapist | |
| Main focus | Function: the tasks of daily life, work and leisure | Movement: strength, mobility, and how joints and muscles work |
| Typical goal | Getting you dressed, typing, cooking and working again | Getting joints moving, muscles strong and you walking or playing sport |
| Common tools | Task training, splints, assistive aids, workstation and home changes | Exercise, manual therapy, mobility and sports rehabilitation |
| Hand therapy | OTs can train as hand therapists – in Singapore, 99% of hand therapy is by hand occupational therapists as part of school, on job training in hospitals etc for finger, hand, forearm and elbow injuries and post surgery | Physiotherapists can train as hand therapists….but typically not in Singapore. They dont get any on job hand/finger/elbow therapy training or placement at all. |
| Registration | AHPC | AHPC |
In PHOENIX REHAB Physio & Hand:
- Hand occupational therapists treat finger, hand, wrist, forearm and elbow injuries and post surgery, whereas
- Physiotherapists treat everything outside of that. However, some of our physios do treat elbows as well.
Conditions our occupational therapists see
| Condition | How occupational therapy helps |
| De Quervain’s tenosynovitis | Thumb splint, and lifting and feeding techniques for new parents |
| Carpal tunnel syndrome | Night splint, grip changes and desk set-up |
| Repetitive strain injury | Workstation review, task changes and a graded return to full hours |
| Tennis elbow | Load plan for work tasks, tool and grip changes |
| Finger arthritis | Joint protection, splints and everyday tools |
| Thumb joint pain | Thumb splint and thumb-friendly ways to do daily tasks |
| Wrist fracture | Return to daily tasks, driving and work after the cast or surgery |
| After hand surgery | Protection, movement, scar care and return to work; see post-surgery rehabilitation |
Return to work and ergonomic assessment
Returning to work after a hand or arm injury works better in planned steps than all at once. Your occupational therapist:
- Analyses your job. We break it into tasks, such as typing, lifting, gripping tools, driving and standing, and note how long each one takes.
- Reviews your workstation. From photos, a short video or a workplace visit, we adjust desk height, screen, keyboard, mouse and tools.
- Matches tasks to your recovery. You learn which tasks you can do now, which to change, and which to leave for later.
- Plans a graded return. Shorter hours or lighter duties at first, stepping up every week or two.
- Communicates with your employer. With your consent, a report or modified-duties note sets out what you can do and when to review it.
Ergonomic changes help most when they come with a plan for workload and breaks. Our repetitive strain injury page has a desk checklist.
Daily living after a hand injury or surgery
The weeks after a hand injury or operation bring practical problems: dressing with one hand, cooking, showering with a cast or splint, and caring for children or older relatives. Your occupational therapist teaches:
- One-handed techniques for buttons, zips, cutting food and opening packets.
- Protection routines that keep a cast, splint or wound dry in the shower.
- Tools such as elastic shoelaces, button hooks, rocker knives, non-slip mats and jar openers.
- Pacing, with breaks and task swaps through the day to manage pain and fatigue.
- Safe ways to lift and care for others while your hand heals.
What happens at your first occupational therapy appointment
Our hand therapy team is led by Nigel Chua, Principal Hand Occupational Therapist & Director, who has treated hand and wrist conditions since 2005.
Our occupational therapists are AHPC-registered, and those working as hand therapists have post-graduate training in hand therapy. You can meet the team on our team page.
At your first appointment, you can expect:
- A goals interview. We ask which tasks at home, at work and in your free time are hard, and what you want to get back to.
- A hand function assessment. We measure grip and pinch strength, dexterity and sensation with standard tools, and check movement, swelling and pain.
- A task analysis. We look at how you do the tasks that matter. For work, bring photos or a short video of your workstation or job tasks.
- A plan. Clear goals, the number of appointments we expect, and a review date.
- Treatment from day one. Exercises, task changes and aids, and a custom splint made in the same appointment if you need one.
Contact us for an occupational therapy assessment. WhatsApp us or schedule an assessment online.
How many appointments will I need?
The number depends on your goal and your condition. We agree an estimate at the first appointment and review it as you progress.
| Goal | Typical course |
| Advice and a home program for a mild problem | 1 to 3 appointments |
| Splinting and rehab for a hand or wrist condition | 3 to 6 appointments over 6 to 8 weeks |
| Rehab after hand surgery or a fracture | 12 appointments, one recovery program |
| A return-to-work program | 12 appointments, one program |
How to choose an occupational therapist in Singapore
- Check registration. Occupational therapists must register with the AHPC to practise in Singapore, and you can search the AHPC register online by name.
- Match the type of OT to your need. A pediatric OT and a hand therapist have different skills.
- Ask about experience with your condition, such as splinting or return-to-work planning.
- Expect clear goals and a review date, so you can see progress.
- Ask about fees, appointment length and reports for your insurer or employer before you start.
- Consider location and hours, because regular appointments are easier to keep near your home or office.
Fees, referral and insurance
- Referral: not required at Phoenix. Some insurers ask for a doctor’s referral before they reimburse therapy, so check your policy.
- Insurance: we provide itemised invoices, and clinical reports for insurers and employers on request.
- Work injuries: if your condition relates to work, tell your employer, and we can provide a clinical report or a modified-duties note.
When to see a doctor before seeing an occupational therapist
Call 995 or go to A&E if:
- you have sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, slurred speech or a drooping face (possible stroke)
See a doctor on the same day if:
- a joint is hot and swollen, or you have a fever
- an injury has left a finger, wrist or elbow deformed
- numbness or color change follows an injury
Make an appointment with a doctor soon if:
- you have new numbness or weakness in the hand
- swelling or night pain has no clear cause
Frequently asked questions about occupational therapy
What will an occupational therapist do?
An occupational therapist helps you do the tasks of daily life, work and leisure after an injury, illness or surgery. At your first appointment, the OT asks about your goals, assesses your hand function and the tasks you find hard, then builds a plan. Treatment can include exercises, splints, new ways to do tasks, tools that reduce strain, and a staged return to work.
What’s the difference between a physiotherapist and an occupational therapist?
A physiotherapist focuses on movement: strength, mobility, and how joints and muscles work. An occupational therapist focuses on function: the tasks you need to do at home, at work and in your free time, using task training, splints, aids and changes to your surroundings. For hand, wrist and elbow problems, the two overlap, and both can train as hand therapists.
How to become an occupational therapist in Singapore?
Complete a recognized occupational therapy degree, such as the four-year BSc (Honours) in Occupational Therapy at the Singapore Institute of Technology, or an overseas degree recognized by the Allied Health Professions Council. Then register with the AHPC to practise. Many OTs build experience in hospitals before moving into areas such as hand therapy. Phoenix Rehab Group hires occupational therapists.
Do I need a referral to see an occupational therapist in Singapore?
No, not at Phoenix Rehab Group. You can book an occupational therapy assessment yourself. Some insurers ask for a doctor’s referral before they reimburse therapy, so check your policy first. If your assessment shows signs that need a doctor, such as a possible fracture or nerve problem, we refer you and share our findings.
Can an occupational therapist help with hand pain?
Yes. Occupational therapists with hand therapy training treat hand, wrist and elbow pain from conditions such as De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, tennis elbow and repetitive strain injury. Treatment includes splints, exercises, changes to how you do painful tasks, and workstation or tool changes. An OT also refers you to a doctor when your symptoms need tests or a specialist opinion.
What is the difference between occupational therapy and hand therapy?
Hand therapy is an area of practice that focuses on the hand, wrist, forearm and elbow. Occupational therapists and physiotherapists can train in it after their degree. Occupational therapy is the wider profession, which also covers children, neurological conditions, older adults and mental health. At Phoenix, our occupational therapists work in the hand and upper limb area.
Does insurance cover occupational therapy in Singapore?
Coverage depends on your policy. Some personal and corporate plans reimburse outpatient therapy, and some ask for a doctor’s referral first. Check your policy’s outpatient therapy terms before you start. We provide itemised invoices and, on request, a clinical report for your insurer. For work injuries, your employer’s work injury insurance may apply.
Do you provide occupational therapy for children?
Not at present. Phoenix Rehab Group’s occupational therapists focus on adults with hand, wrist and elbow conditions. For children with developmental, learning, sensory or motor needs, ask your pediatrician about a pediatric occupational therapist, such as the child development services at public hospitals, or a private pediatric OT practice.
Contact us for an occupational therapy assessment
If a hand, wrist or elbow problem is getting in the way of work or daily tasks, an occupational therapist can assess what is hard, set clear goals and start treatment in the first appointment.
- WhatsApp: Message us. Your message opens with “Hi, I’d like to schedule an occupational therapy assessment.”
- Online: schedule an assessment
- Clinics: Orchard, Serangoon, Tampines, Tanjong Pagar at International Plaza and Jurong East at Vision Exchange, opening 20 October 2026.
- Referral: not required. Some insurers need one for claims, so check your policy.
- Insurance: we provide itemised invoices, and a clinical report if your insurer asks for one.
A cord in the palm that is pulling a finger down is a hand surgeon question first and a splinting question immediately after. The Dupuytren’s Contracture Recovery Program sets out the four stages and the criteria to move up.
Sensory re education after a repaired nerve is one of the things a hand occupational therapist does that nobody else does. The Digital Nerve Repair Recovery Program sets out the four stages and the criteria to move up.
A drooping fingertip needs a splint today rather than next week, and the continuity of that splinting is the whole treatment. The Mallet Finger Recovery Program sets out the four stages and the criteria to move up.
Where are you with this right now?
1. It is settling on its own
Many hand problems settle with a well fitted splint, changes to what provokes them, and tendon gliding. A tender scar and weak grip for a few weeks after surgery are usual. If it is easing week on week, and grip is improving month on month, it is behaving as expected. You do not need us for this, and we would rather say so.
2. It has stopped improving
You hand the jar to someone else. You button the shirt one-handed. You have stopped using that hand for anything that matters and barely noticed when it started.
The hand is the part of the body where stiffness sets in fastest, because a hand that hurts gets used less within days rather than weeks. That is the gap worth measuring, and it is not measured by how you feel on the day.
The Stalled Recovery Review is three appointments over three weeks with the same therapist, because what a joint does under load cannot be read in one visit. The first finds what is limiting it. The next two measure how it responds. $690, nett, no GST, which is three appointments at $230.
3. You have had surgery, or you have a date
Recovery after an operation has a shape, and knowing which stage you are in tells you whether you are on it. See the recovery programs, or hand therapy after surgery if you are not sure which applies to you.
All of it runs on the same four stages. The Phoenix Recovery Protocol explains what each stage works on and what you have to meet to move up. No referral needed to start.
Next step
Find out which stage you are in
Pain is the first thing to leave. Movement and strength are the last things trained back, and most people stop before that part is done. One Assessment and Treatment is a single 45-minute appointment at $230, nett, no GST. Your therapist finds what is actually limiting you, treats it in the same appointment, and you leave with your current stage and a written plan.
Prefer to phone? Each of our five clinics has its own number on the clinics page. No referral needed to book.
Related reading
Where we are
Clinics across Singapore
ORCHARD
400 Orchard Road #12-12
Orchard Towers, S238875
NS22 Orchard MRT
Physiotherapy and hand therapy in Orchard →
WhatsApp 8800 1830TAMPINES
9 Tampines Grande #01-20
Asia Green, S528735
EW2DT32 Tampines MRT
Physiotherapy and hand therapy in Tampines →
WhatsApp 8780 9608SERANGOON
265 Serangoon Central Drive #04-269
S550265 · Lift C only
NE12CC13 Serangoon MRT
Physiotherapy and hand therapy in Serangoon →
WhatsApp 8892 4121TANJONG PAGAR
10 Anson Road #02-77A
International Plaza, S079903
EW15 Tanjong Pagar MRT
Physiotherapy and hand therapy in Tanjong Pagar →
WhatsApp 8227 7074JURONG EAST
2 Venture Drive #02-02
Vision Exchange, S608526
NS1EW24 Jurong East MRT
Opening 20 October 2026
Physiotherapy and hand therapy in Jurong East →
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