Treating the Person, Not Just the Injury

Specialist Care Clinics

At Hand Therapy Services NI, we’re proud to offer expert care at our modern clinics in Hillsborough and Belfast. We work with people from all walks of life, from athletes and tradespeople to parents and professionals. We understand how frustrating it can be when pain or injury gets in the way, and our mission is to help you get back to what matters most.

Our Patient-First Philosophy

At the heart of our practice is a simple ethos: we see beyond the physical condition to understand how it truly impacts your life. As specialist Occupational Therapists, we focus on restoring function to your hand, wrist, and upper limb, creating tailored treatment plans that support your long-term independence and confidence.

Over four decades of hands-on experience in both NHS and private healthcare. Bringing depth, insight, and trusted care.

Oonagh and Elaine have dedicated their careers to working within leading NHS hospitals and specialist units across Northern Ireland. This deep, frontline experience at the highest clinical standards has given us invaluable expertise in managing the most complex injuries and a complete understanding of the entire patient journey.

Orthoderm Clinic, Hillsborough

Our Hillsborough clinic is based within the state-of-the-art Orthoderm private clinic. This location is easily accessible from the A1 and M1 motorway, making it convenient for clients across County Down, Armagh, and beyond. The clinic provides a calm, comfortable environment with free on-site parking directly outside. We are fully equipped with the latest therapeutic technologies and assessment tools to support your rehabilitation.

Musgrave House, Belfast

Located within the grounds of Musgrave Park Hospital, our Belfast clinic at Musgrave House offers a first-class clinical environment. Situated just off the M1 motorway at the A55 Outer Ring, it provides excellent accessibility for Greater Belfast and the surrounding areas. The site offers convenient paid parking and is equipped with a comprehensive range of specialist equipment needed to deliver the highest standard of hand and upper limb therapy.

Conditions We Treat

Fractures (Wrist, Hand & Fingers)
Tendon Injuries & Repairs
Sports-Related Upper Limb Injuries
Work-Related Upper Limb Injuries
Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI)
Crush Injuries

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Nerve Injury & Compression
Trigger Finger & Trigger Thumb
Joint Pain & Stiffness

Arthritis (Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid & Psoriatic)
Other Inflammatory Hand Conditions
Post-Operative Rehabilitation
Scar & Oedema Management
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

Meet Our Specialist Team

At the heart of Hand Therapy Services NI are our founders, Oonagh and Elaine, both highly qualified Occupational Therapists who specialise in the rehabilitation of hand and upper limb conditions. They established the practice to provide a dedicated, expert-led service for the people of Northern Ireland.

What truly sets us apart is our guiding ethos: to treat the person, not just the injury. We see beyond the physical condition to understand how it impacts your life, focusing on restoring function so you can return to the activities that matter most. Because we recognise how vital your hands are, every treatment plan is uniquely tailored to support your functional recovery and long-term independence.

Oonagh

With over 20 years’ experience, Oonagh is a highly skilled Occupational Therapist and a Director of Hand Therapy Services NI. Specialising in hand and upper limb rehabilitation, she has gained comprehensive experience across trauma and orthopaedics, plastic surgery, and rheumatology in leading facilities throughout Northern Ireland.

Oonagh’s approach is to understand the person behind the injury. She listens closely to her patients, using specialist assessments to grasp how their condition impacts their daily life. From this, she develops tailored, evidence-based treatment plans aimed at reducing pain, improving movement, and restoring overall independence and confidence.

[[Oonagh is committed to providing the most up-to-date, evidence-based interventions to support her patients' recovery. She is fully registered with the HCPC and is a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) and the British and Irish Associations of Hand Therapists (BAHT & IAHT).

Her advanced training includes:

A Master’s-level qualification in steroid injection administration from the University of Essex.
Specialist training in treating the upper limb with world-renowned therapist Alison Taylor.
Advanced pain management courses through the Neuro-Orthopaedic Institute.
Certification in Dry Needling.
Expert use of innovative technologies such as LymphaTouch® and NHC Cyclo-Therapy® to enhance treatment outcomes.

This continuous professional development ensures that her practice is always evolving with the latest advancements in the field.]]

Elaine

With over 30 years’ experience, Elaine is an expert in managing complex hand and upper limb conditions. Her extensive career has spanned leading centres in both Northern Ireland (including the Ulster and Royal Victoria Hospitals) and top hospitals in New York City, such as NYU Medical Centre and Mount Sinai.

Elaine understands the profound physical and emotional impact of an injury. She takes a personalised, holistic approach, assessing how each condition affects a person’s unique daily activities—from personal care and work to leisure and sports and uses a wide range of modern techniques to support recovery.

[[Elaine is committed to professional growth and integrating innovative, evidence-based therapies to improve patient outcomes. She is fully registered with the HCPC and is a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) and the British and Irish Associations of Hand Therapists (BAHT & IAHT).

Uniquely, Elaine also holds full US certification and licensing to practice in New York (NBCOT, OTR/L). Her advanced training includes:

A Master’s-level module in joint and soft tissue injection therapy from the University of Essex, enabling her to administer corticosteroid injections.
Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) certification completed in Los Angeles.
Expertise in innovative therapies including Kinesiology Taping, Dry Needling, NHC Cyclo-Therapy®, and LymphaTouch®.
Completion of numerous British Association of Hand Therapists (BAHT) accredited courses.

Elaine is also actively involved in research to help advance and evolve the field of hand therapy.]]

Ready to Start Your Recovery?

Whether you’re recovering from an injury, preparing for or rehabilitating after surgery, or managing a long-term condition, our specialist team is here to support you. Led by expert therapists Oonagh and Elaine, we combine over 40 years of clinical experience with a commitment to personalised, effective care.

With modern clinics and parking in both Hillsborough and Belfast, accessing the highest quality hand therapy in Northern Ireland has never been easier.

Book Your Appointment View Our Clinic Locations

Belfast

Hand Therapy Services NI
Musgrave House
10 Stockmans Lane
Belfast
BT9 7JA

Parking Available

Hillsborough

Hand Therapy Services NI
Orthoderm Private Clinic
2 Ballynahinch Road
Hillsborough
BT26 6AR