Hand therapy is the discipline that addresses injuries and conditions of the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. Certified hand therapists are either occupational or physical therapists who have specialized training in treating upper extremity conditions through advanced study.
Our hand therapists work closely with physicians and clients to provide a continuum of care. Treatment often begins within days of the injury or surgery and continues until the client has returned to work and/or a productive lifestyle.
Laura Swank, OTR/L, CHT
Certified Hand Therapist
Laura received her B.S. in Occupational Therapy from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA in 1992. She is licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine and is an active member of the American Society of Hand Therapy. She has over 24 years of experience as an Occupational therapist specializing in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation.
Originally from Pennsylvania, she moved to Virginia in 1994, taking a position in an outpatient hand therapy clinic. Here she developed her proficiency in custom orthosis fabrication and the treatment of traumatic hand injuries. She established hand therapy programs for several clinics in Sterling, Lansdowne and Purcellville.
Laura has been working with Dr. Khan, hand surgeon, at Countryside Orthopaedics for six years. She prides herself on listening to the needs of her patients and achieving consistent functional results. She values open communication with the referring physician.
Laura has been a Leesburg resident for over 20 years. In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor activities and her family.
Allyce Staffen, PT, CHT
Certified Hand Therapist
Allyce is a licensed Physical Therapist. She received her BS degree in Physical Therapy from the State University of New York, Upstate Medical Center in 1986. She is board certified by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission, and is an active member of the American Society of Hand Therapy.
Through employment and education, Allyce has years of experience in Orthopaedic Rehabilitation. She is a Certified Hand Therapist, specializing in Custom Orthotics for the Upper Extremity, traumatic Upper Extremity Injuries, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Sports related injuries.
Allyce enjoys the complexity of the Upper Extremity anatomy, and the challenges of restoring patient function.
Allyce is Certified in Functional Dry Needling treatment, to manage many different types of pain, and sports related injuries.
Allyce continues her professional development by regularly attending Conferences, and Continuing Education Seminars in the area of UE Orthopedics.
Besides her work as a PT, CHT, Allyce loves spending time with her husband, son, and daughter. She sings in her church choir, and enjoys training for triathlons.
Craig Bittenbendenr, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Craig has been a physical therapist for 17 years. He has worked exclusively within orthopedic and sports orthopedic settings. Craig received his Master’s degree in Physical Therapy at Marymount University in 1999 and went on to complete a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Simmons college in Boston. Craig has worked in both clinical and managerial roles during this time and has done lecturing to a variety of healthcare audiences in areas of clinical care within the orthopedic setting. He recently completed an Advanced Manual Therapy Certification from Evidence in Motion in 2014 to further delineate his expertise in assessment and treatment utilizing hands on techniques. His emphasis is on hands-on specialized care to a variety of orthopedic settings. He also utilizes a comprehensive treatment approach including dry needling, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, kinesiotaping, cold laser and exercise while providing one on one management to patients across the orthopedic spectrum. Personally Craig lives in Leesburg, VA with his wife and 4 children. He enjoys exercising, cooking and especially eating.
Colleen C. Delaney, PTA
Physical Therapy Assistant
Colleen C. Delaney has been a physical therapist assistant for over 30 years, practicing in Virginia and Maryland. Her main focus has been in orthopedics with emphasis on hands on care. She recently completed a course in Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilizations. She also has a certification in applying Kineseology Tape for various orthopedic injuries, scar tissue mobilization, and nerve entrapment. Ms. Delaney is also a certified massage therapist with specialties in Swedish, Cranial Sacral, and Myofascial Release techniques. She has lived in Ashburn for over 11 years. Her activities in the community have been being involved in her children’s sports, teaching religious education for nine years, and being a Girl Scout leader. She has two sons, one of whom recently graduated from JMU, and a daughter in high school.
Reasons to seek a hand therapist:
- Traumatic injuries
- Fractures and dislocations
- Sports injuries
- Tennis elbow and other types of tendonitis
- Carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, thoracic outlet syndrome, and other nerve entrapment disorders
- Repetitive motion syndromes
- Amputations
- Burns and frostbite
- Arthritis
- Tendon and nerve injuries
- Dupuytren’s contracture
- Complex regional pain syndrome / RSD