Northern Beaches Hand Therapy
Northern Beaches Hand Therapy is a private hand therapy practice, located within Peninsula Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine on the Northern Beaches. We provide hand therapy for people with disorders of the hand and upper limb, including the provision of splints, casts and assistive devices.

We work closely with consultant hand surgeons, including Drs Mark Hile and Anna Watson, who consult from Peninsula Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine. We also encourage referral from general practitioners and physiotherapists, and also welcome patient's attendance without referral.

This practice is staffed by extremely experienced hand therapists, both physiotherapists and occupational therapists, who have been concentrating on treating the hand and upper limb for many years. The majority of staff employees are full members of thee Australian Hand Therapy Association. Consultations are generally available from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, by appointment. We are happy to liaise with your family doctor, surgeon, insurance company or rehabilitation provider in relation to your management, but will only do so with your prior agreement.

Northern Beaches Hand Therapy is an accredited physiotherapy practice with the Quality in Practice program associated with the Australian Physiotherapy Association. We offer HICAPS for immediate private health fund rebate, and are happy to comply with WorkCover Guidelines for patients injured at work.

Visit us at www.handtherapy.com.au

Therapeutic modalities may include:


  • Application of EXOS fracture brace
  • Application and removal of waterproof fiberglass casts
  • Fabrication and fitting of custom made neoprene supports for thumb and wrist
  • Fabrication of leather wrist braces
  • Fabrication of thermoplastic splints, both static and dynamic
  • Desensitisation techniques including vibration, immersion and tapping
  • Electrotherapy modalities, including laser, TENS and ultrasound
  • Ergonomic modifications
  • Exercise therapy, including stretches, strengthening and proprioceptive exercises
  • Functional assessment and advice on activities of daily living
  • Joint protection and energy conservation for arthritis
  • Mobilisation techniques
  • Oedema and wound management, including dressing changes
  • Application of plaster back-slabs
  • Scar management, including application of silicone products
  • Serial casting for joint contracture
  • Sports taping for thumb, fingers and wrist
  • Work and activity hardening
Physiotherapy Practice Accredited
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  • Anne Wajon, PhD, CHT

    Principal Physiotherapist
    Anne Wajon
    Anne has been treating hand injuries for more than 20 years. She has experience from working in a variety of hand therapy clinics both overseas and in Sydney. Anne graduated from the University of Sydney in Physiotherapy in 1984, subsequently completing her Masters Degree and PhD on prevention and management of arthritis at the base of the thumb. She has published in the Cochrane Library, Journal of Hand Therapy, Journal of Manual Therapy and the Australian Journal of Physiotherapy.

    Anne is a Certified Hand Therapist, a member or the Australian Hand Therapy Association, and the Australian Physiotherapy Association. She currently works at Dee Why by appointment only and consults at the Mater with Dr Mark Hile every second Thursday afternoon. Anne also consults at Macquarie Hand Therapy.

      By appointment only
    Physiotherapist

  • Rebecca Crowley, CHT

    Physiotherapist
    Rebecca Crowley
    Rebecca has been working in hand therapy since 1993, having graduated in Physiotherapy from the University of Sydney in 1988. She has completed a Graduate Diploma in Management and had executive roles with the Australian Hand Therapy Association for many years.

    Rebecca is an Accredited Hand Therapist (as awarded by the AHTA), Certified Hand Therapist (USA) and currently consults on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

      Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays
    Physiotherapist

  • Kate Pearson, CHT

    Physiotherapist
    Rebecca Crowley
    Kate graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Anatomy) from the University of NSW in 1983, and then completed a Diploma in Physiotherapy in 1984. She has been working in the area of hand therapy since 1985, and gained much of her early hand and upper limb experience from working at the Sydney Hospital Hand Unit and Sydney Hand Therapy in the late ’80’s. Kate joined the team in 1990.

    Kate is an Accredited Hand Therapist (as awarded by the AHTA), Certified Hand Therapist (USA) and currently consults on Mondays and Thursdays.

      Mondays and Thursdays
    Physiotherapist

  • Angela Frigerio

    Occupational Therapist
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    Angela graduated in 2012 with a degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Queensland. She started a career in hand therapy shortly after graduating, working alongside leading hand surgeons in Queensland. Angela has almost 10 years of clinical experience in managing acute, chronic and complex hand injuries and conditions. Angela has been working on the Northern Beaches since 2016 and enjoys working with patients and surgeons to find creative solutions to complex upper limb concerns.

    Angela is an Accredited Hand Therapist (as awarded by AHTA). ​She consults on Tuesdays and at our rooms in Dee Why on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

      Tuesdays

  • Heather Taylor, CHT

    Physiotherapist
    Rebecca Crowley
    Heather gained her physiotherapy qualifications in the United Kingdom in 1982. She commenced working in the area of hand therapy in 1984 and has many years of experience from working in both the public and private sectors, in the UK and Australia.

    Heather has been with the team since 1998. Heather is an Accredited Hand Therapist (as awarded by the AHTA), Certified Hand Therapist (USA) and currently consults on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

      Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
    Physiotherapist

  • Nina Thompson, CHT

    Physiotherapist
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    Nina graduated from Charles Sturt University with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2013. She developed a passion for hand therapy while working at the Royal North Shore Hospital Hand Unit. Since then she has built upon her knowledge in different Sydney-based private practices, and has been working with Hand Therapy Group since 2018. Nina enjoys treating traumatic hand injuries, sports injuries, fractures and post-operative cases.

    Nina is an Accredited Hand Therapist (as awarded by the AHTA) and Certified Hand Therapist (USA). She is a member of the AHTA and Australian Physiotherapist Association.

    Nina consults at Northern Beaches Hand Therapy on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and Pacific Hand Therapy on Tuesdays.

      Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
    Physiotherapist

  • Alana Mastroianni

    Physiotherapist
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    Alana graduated from Australian Catholic University with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2020. She has always had an interest in hand therapy and spent time volunteering in a hands clinic to expand her knowledge during her undergraduate years. She completed a hand therapy clinical placement in her final year of study which further spurred her passion for the area. Alana started her career as a new graduate physiotherapist at Royal North Shore Hospital, gaining experience working across many different areas including Intensive Care, Musculoskeletal, Neuro, Orthopaedics and Fracture Clinic.

    Alana is an associate member of the AHTA. She is eager to gain more experience in hand therapy by working together with our knowledgeable therapists and hand surgeons.

    Outside of work Alana enjoys waterskiing and spending time with her big family!

    Alana consults from Northern Beaches Hand Therapy on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. She consults from Pacific Hand Therapy on Mondays and Wednesdays.

      Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
    Physiotherapist

  • Emma Douglass

    Physiotherapist
    Stacks Image 526153
    Emma graduated from Australian Catholic University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. Emma initially developed her passion for hand therapy during her university placement at a private hand therapy practice.

    Since graduating Emma has worked at Concord Repatriation General Hospital and the Northern Beaches Hospital where she has gained experience in various areas including Acute Stroke Unit, Orthopaedics, Rehabilitation, Intensive Care and Aged Care. Emma enjoys working alongside our experienced hand therapists and surgeons and is excited to expand her knowledge and skills in hand therapy.

    Outside of work Emma enjoys travelling and going to the beach. Emma consults at Northern Beaches Hand Therapy and Pacific Hand Therapy in Dee Why.
    Physiotherapist