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Updates & Communications April 2025

  • What’s New This Month:
  • Word from Jen
  • Staff Updates: Farewell & New Beginnings
  • Team Member of the Month: Dr. Phillip Hughes
  • Recognition Award – Nominate a Team Member
  • Clinical Corner with Alison (Hand Therapist – Ringwood East & Box Hill)
  • What Our Patients Are Saying
Jennifer Mathias

WORD FROM JEN

Jennifer Mathias
MHT Director
Senior Clinician

  • What’s New This Month:
  • Word from Jen
  • Staff Updates: Farewell & New Beginnings
  • Team Member of the Month: Dr. Phillip Hughes
  • Recognition Award – Nominate a Team Member
  • Clinical Corner with Alison (Hand Therapist – Ringwood East & Box Hill)
  • What Our Patients Are Saying

We hope this newsletter finds you well as we approach Easter and Anzac Day. We’d love to share some recent updates at Melbourne Hand Therapy (MHT) and offer insights into what’s coming up.

Staff Updates: Farewell & New Beginnings

We bid a fond farewell to our wonderful receptionist, Nicolette, from our East Ringwood rooms. Nicolette has been a valued member of the MHT family for over seven years. Loved by patients and staff alike, she consistently went above and beyond to ensure everyone felt cared for and supported. She’s now stepping into a hybrid role that allows her to work from home while balancing parenting commitments. Nicolette will be greatly missed, especially by our East Ringwood community.

We’re also excited to announce that Mel, who has been an integral part of our Box Hill rooms for the past four years, will be expanding her hours and looking after our East Ringwood rooms. With her attention to detail and warm personality, Mel is a perfect fit for our close-knit team.

We are currently recruiting for a full-time receptionist to join our Box Hill location.

Dr. Phillip Hughes

We’re thrilled to recognize Dr. Phillip Hughes, our newest team member, as this month’s standout clinician.

Phillip brings over 30 years of clinical experience, holding a Doctorate in Physiotherapy and a Master’s in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. He specializes in shoulder and upper limb conditions and is deeply committed to patient-centered care.

Beyond the clinic, Phillip is a seasoned educator, having lectured in physiotherapy for over a decade. He is also a published researcher, international speaker, and former National Chair of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Australia. We are delighted to welcome such a passionate and accomplished professional to our team.

+ Bundoora
+ Eastlink
+ East Melbourne
+ Ringwood East

Recognition Award

Nominate a Team Member

Is there someone on the MHT team whose work deserves recognition? Nominate them using the form below. We’d love to highlight their contribution in an upcoming newsletter!

Nomination Form

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Clinical Corner with Alison

(Hand Therapist – Ringwood East & Box Hill)

Topic: Joint Protection – Practical Strategies for Daily Life

Joint protection aims to reduce stress on your joints, which in turn helps decrease pain and prevents further deterioration. This is a compensatory approach to managing joint conditions, most commonly arthritis. Joint protection is also a valuable approach to managing joint hypermobility concerns such as EDS, and also inflammatory conditions such as tendonitis, as well as weakness and fatigue.

Here are five simple yet effective joint protection strategies you can start using today:

1. Avoid Static Positions & Repetitive Movements

  • Staying in the same position (e.g. holding a book) or repeating the same movement many times may aggravate joint symptoms.
  • Change positions frequently to help reduce stiffness.
  • Take short and frequent rest breaks, rather than waiting until you are finished the task to take a rest. ƒ Use a timer to help remind you to take a break.

2. Avoid Tight Grasps

  • The bigger the grip, the less pressure on the smaller more vulnerable joints in the hand.  Use padded handles on items (e.g. Toothbrush, cutlery, pens etc.) so less force is required to grip object and stress on knuckle joints is reduced.
  • By sliding or rolling items, you can avoid tight grips and heavy lifting.
  • Many everyday items are designed with wheels, which removes the need for lifting and carrying e.g. using a wheeled trolley or cart to carry groceries.
Avoid Tight Grasps
Use Two Hands & Open Hand Position

3. Use Two Hands & Open Hand Position

  • This will spread the weight more evenly and reduce the strain on your fingers and thumbs while lifting and carrying.
  •  Hold heavy objects with two hands instead of using just one. Place the object between or on top of two flat hands, instead of using your fingers to grip.

4. Use Stronger Joints & Good Body Mechanics

  • When carrying a parcel, support the weight across your forearm and/or palm of your hands. 
  • Keep the item close to your torso. 
  • Carry the strap of your purse over your forearm or shoulder instead of gripping it with your fingers.
Use Stronger Joints & Good Body Mechanics

5. Use Assistive Devices for Support & Leverage

  • Use Adaptive Equipment to lessen the stress on your joints and improve your ability to do activities. 
Use Two Hands & Open Hand Position
  • Use Leverage: less force is needed to turn or lift an object if the lever arm is long e.g. use tap turners, key extensions, jar openers etc.
Use Leverage
  • Use Friction / Traction: a non-slippery surface will improve grip with less pressure.
  • Use pen grips, non-slip mats under objects.
Use Friction / Traction
  • Use Tools/Equipment: to support or anchor items in place in order to avoid gripping tightly or holding your joints in one position for long periods of time e.g. book rests and card holders etc.
Use Tools/Equipment

Need a personalized plan?

Your MHT therapist can develop a tailored joint protection program suited to your specific condition and lifestyle. Whether you’re managing pain or looking to prevent further injury, we’re here to help.

📞 Call us or book online to schedule a consultation today.

Thank you for being part of the MHT community. We look forward to supporting you and your patients with expert care, compassion, and innovation.

WHAT Our PATIENTS ARE SAYING

Joanne
Robin has been excellent. She is very knowledgeable. She has provided a variety of treatments and aided in my recovery.
5 Star

Val
I have been very pleased with the service I have received so far. Jana is a lovely, friendly therapist supporting my needs.
5 Star

Kate
Haley was fantastic. She talked me through everything, answered my questions and laughed at my jokes. A thorough and kind practitioner.
5 Star

Bev
Very helpful and pleasant. Happy to talk about possible solutions to a problem.
5 Star

Google Rating
4.8
Based on 353 reviews