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).
Thank you to everyone who participated in Hand Therapy Week 2023! Looking to get a jumpstart on next year's planning? Here are some creative ideas for celebrating the specialty.
ASHT Photo Contest
Thank you to everyone who entered and voted in our ASHT Photo Contest! Congratulations to our winners!
First place: John Avery, OTD, OTR/L, CHT (Hand in Hand)
Second place: Randy Beckman OT/CHT (Bill P, the bilateral amputee)
Third place: Sydne Trapp OTR, CHT (Sculpture in Madison WI)
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 2023 submissions
View 2022 submissions
View 2021 submissions
View 2020 submissions
View 2019 submissions
View 2018 submissions
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, which debuted 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 offers daily challenges to make it even easier for you to participate in Hand Therapy Week. We loved seeing all the fun posts and stories participating in the challenges! Search #HTW2023 to see all the celebrations from the week. Have an idea for next year's daily challenges? Let us know!
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.