Hand Therapy Week is an integrated national program established by ASHT. Throughout the week, members of the hand and upper extremity therapy community sponsor and organize events and celebrations in an effort to raise awareness among various audiences, highlight the benefits of the specialty and educate the public. Hand Therapy Week is held each year during the first full week of June (beginning on a Monday).
Looking for some #HTW2023 inspiration? Here are some creative ideas for celebrating the specialty.
ASHT Photo Contest
Be sure to cast your vote for the ASHT Photo Contest on ASHT's Facebook page by "liking" your favorite images now through June 11. You can also vote on ASHT's new Instagram account. Votes on both platforms will combined to determine the winners. The top-three images will receive prizes from ASHT and this year's sponsor, Naked Prosthetics!
This contest is open to ASHT members only. Multiple images may be submitted. Limit one prize per person. Winner will be contacted to select gift basket of choice. (If the winner does not want wine, they will receive a gift basket of equal value.) Contest submissions may be used in future marketing materials.
View 2022 submissions
View 2021 submissions
View 2020 submissions
View 2019 submissions
View 2018 submissions
Follow ASHT on Instagram!
We are excited to announce ASHT is now on Instagram! Follow @HandTherapyASHT for society updates, resources, clinical pearls, member spotlights and the latest in hand and upper extremity therapy.
Be sure to turn on notifications so you don't miss a single post, and stay tuned for a special giveaway during Hand Therapy Week!
Hand and Upper Extremity Safety Videos
ASHT has developed a new video series focusing on specific diagnoses to be used as a patient resource for learning more about hand and upper extremity conditions and dispelling misconceptions.
The first video, debuting at the start of Hand Therapy Week, focuses on tennis elbow.
Be sure to like our Facebook page and subscribe to our YouTube channel. We encourage you to share these videos and the others in our video library with your patients, colleagues and social media followers to promote the specialty.
ASHT Video Library
- Cell phones & texting
- Hand safety while gardening
- Protecting your hands while using portable electronics
- Hand & upper extremity mental health series
- Desk and workstation ergonomics
- Hand safety in the kitchen
- Pumpkin carving safety
- Safe snow removal
- Turkey carving safety
- Telehealth FAQs
- Virtual learning desk setup
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
Daily Challenges
ASHT has created new daily challenges to make it even easier for you to participate in Hand Therapy Week. Start planning now and get creative! Don't forget to tag ASHT in your posts and use #HTW2023, and we'll feature you on ASHT's website and social media channels!
Monday (6/5): Show Us Your Drawers — Take a photo/video of your clinic or office’s busiest drawers to show off your tools, hand-related tchotchkes, ASHT swag, resources, etc.
Tuesday (6/6): Seeking Exceptional Exercises — We know hand and upper extremity therapists take great pride in being creative! Share a photo or brief video of a creative treatment exercise and include a description of the purpose/intent.
Wednesday (6/7): Unconventional Interventions — Show off adaptive equipment you’ve modified or created to meet the specific needs of one of your patients. What creative uses for wraps, thermoplastic, etc. have you made?
Thursday (6/8): It’s Back! The Blindfold Fabrication Challenge — We are a specialty with a unique skill set. Have you ever said, "I can do that blindfolded!"? Prove it! Show us the final product or video the process of (safely) performing any hand/upper extremity therapy skills on a colleague, but without the use of your eyes. This could be anything from MMT, orthosis fabrication, palpation of prominences or provocative testing of the arm of standardized tests.
Friday (6/9): Name That Tool — Share a photo of a go-to tool you use in the clinic and see if others can guess why/how it’s used!
Have an idea for a daily challenge? Let us know!
8th Annual Virtual Run/Walk — Team Up with ASHT!
Participate in the 2023 American Hand Therapy Foundation Virtual Run/Walk!
ASHT is proud to sponsor this event to support upper extremity research and education. Complete a 5K run/walk by the end of Hand Therapy Week (June 5-11, 2023) and support AHTF's research and education grants.
Registration is $30 per individual.
AHTF encourages the participation of teams, so be sure to enter "ASHT Official Team 2023" in the Team Name field when registering!
Resources
Marketing Resources
Choose from three flyers to use in your clinic as educational resources or distribute to your referral sources — all updated with ASHT's new look! The flyers for surgeons and primary care physicians provide space where you can add contact information for your practice via label, sticker, stamp, etc., and can be used all year round.
Flyer for Surgeons
Flyer for Primary Care Physicians
Generic Flyer
Patient Education Resources
Utilize our vast library of Patient Education Resources, which provide information on common diagnoses and the role a hand therapist plays in treatment. Based on member requests, we've begun releasing Spanish translations of our most popular resources.
Share Your Story
Hand therapy can change lives, and who better to share the importance and impact of hand therapy than our patients?
During Hand Therapy Week -- and throughout the year -- encourage your outstanding patients to submit a testimonial about the impact hand therapy had on their lives. Visit our Patient Testimonials page, and access the patient and therapist webforms at the bottom of the page to submit your success stories!
Note: You will be asked to upload documentation of your patient’s consent using this form. Your story may be featured on our website or in upcoming campaigns.
Get the Word Out
Write a Press Release
Create effective Hand Therapy Week buzz in your local media by sharing your personal success, patient accomplishments and news with the public through targeted media outreach. ASHT's Marketing Toolbook will help you develop a press release and strategically contact media to announce your organization's plans to celebrate Hand Therapy Week.
View/use the Hand Therapy Week 2023 press release
Learn more about contacting news outlets
Contact Your Local Government
Spread the word about hand therapy by writing a letter to your local Chamber of Commerce (sample) or requesting a state proclamation (sample).
Celebrate
About Our Sponsor: Naked Prosthetics
It's About Function: Our mission at Naked Prosthetics is to assist finger and partial-hand amputees by positively impacting their lives through providing functional, high-quality finger prostheses to get people back to work and doing the things they love. We offer four functional, high-quality designed finger prostheses. Our custom devices are designed within millimeters of a patient's unique amputation and hand structure.