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Hand Therapy San Francisco — Certified Specialists

When hand, wrist, elbow, or shoulder pain limits your daily activities, you need specialized care from certified hand therapists. With over 25 years of experience treating upper extremity conditions, our team helps you regain function and return to the activities you love.

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When Hand Pain Takes Over Your Life

We understand how frustrating it is when hand, wrist, elbow, or shoulder pain makes everyday tasks feel impossible. You shouldn't have to struggle with basic activities.

Typing Hurts

Every keystroke sends shooting pain up your arm, making work feel impossible.

Can't Open Jars

Simple tasks like opening bottles or jars become daily struggles and frustrations.

Gripping Causes Pain

Holding your steering wheel or tools causes pain that limits your daily activities.

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Certified Hand Therapy Specialists in San Francisco

At Golden Gate Hand Therapy, our board-certified hand therapists bring over 25 years of specialized experience treating upper extremity conditions. We use evidence-based techniques proven to help you heal faster and return to full function.

Our one-on-one approach means you'll always receive personalized treatment from certified specialists who focus on the root cause of your condition, not just symptoms.

Certified Hand Therapists (CHT) with 4,000+ hours of specialized training
One-on-one treatment — we never hand you over to aides
On-site custom splint fabrication designed specifically for your recovery

"Only Golden Gate Hand Therapy called back promptly. I was very impressed by Melanie's expertise and caring demeanor. She answered all my questions thoroughly and patiently. I was surprised to find out that she actually discussed with my hand orthopedic surgeon about my conditions prior to my appointment, so she could provide the best care during my recovery."

angela chang

Your Path to Full Recovery

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Book Your Free Consultation

Connect with our certified hand therapists to discuss your specific hand, wrist, elbow, or shoulder concerns and goals.

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Complete Your Evaluation

Our CHT specialists perform comprehensive testing to identify the exact cause of your pain and functional limitations.

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Follow Your Customized Treatment Plan

Begin your personalized therapy program with manual techniques, custom splinting, and functional retraining.

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Hand Therapy Conditions We Treat in San Francisco

Golden Gate Hand Therapy provides specialized, high-quality rehabilitation for all patients with acute or chronic upper extremity disorders. All visits are one-on-one, providing you with the care and attention you deserve.

  • Tendon Injuries — Comprehensive treatment for damaged or inflamed tendons affecting hand and wrist function
    Repetitive Stress Injuries — Specialized care for carpal tunnel, tendonitis, and other work-related overuse conditions
    Fractures — Expert rehabilitation following hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder fracture recovery
    Sports Injuries — Targeted treatment for athletic injuries affecting upper extremity performance
    Work Injuries — Comprehensive care for workplace-related injuries with return-to-work programs
    Other Conditions — Arthritis, joint replacements, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, fibromyalgia, ligament injuries, sprains/strains

See What Our San Francisco Patients Say

Rated 4.2 stars on Google with 17 reviews

 "I've worked with nearly all of the therapists, and they are all great. Every time I come in they remember me, and they do a really thorough job of keeping notes on my progress and referring back to them."

Jen Johnson

"I don't think most 10 therapy places would use paraffin wax and ultrasound as far as I know. I highly recommend Golden Gate Hand Therapy!"

Gabriele Hoff

Josh Phillips

 "Golden Gate Hand Therapy is an efficient and warm environment overall. Annie saved my hands. The advice she gave me was so incremental in helping me navigate my injury and keep working while I healed."

Love Maia

Dr. Bryant Villota

PT, DTP, MBA, LAT, ATC

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Bryant is a physical therapist and athletic trainer proudly leading Crossover Physical Therapy and Performance in Tampa, Florida. With over a decade of experience, Bryant has dedicated his career to aiding athletes of all levels, ranging from professionals and collegiate players to high school rising stars. His clients have included United States Coast Guard rescue swimmers, runners, Crossfit enthusiasts, powerlifting athletes, and weekend warriors.

Bryant began his educational journey at the University of South Florida, earning a Bachelor's degree in Athletic Training. He gained valuable experience working closely with USF’s men's basketball, football, and soccer teams. He furthered his expertise by completing a Sports Medicine fellowship at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he continued to hone his craft with their soccer, softball, and basketball teams. Bryant then pursued a Master’s of Business Administration at the University of West Georgia, while working with the football, baseball, and basketball teams.

Recognizing the importance of merging his athletic background with his passion for physical rehabilitation and athletic performance, he completed a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2019. 

Beyond his professional pursuits, Bryant has nurtured a lifelong love for basketball, football, and soccer. According to him, the GOAT is Michael Jordan (sorry, not sorry Lebron fans!), but his favorite players are Kobe Bryant 🙏🏼and Allen Iverson. He’s currently hooping in the Kyrie 7’s. When not immersed in sports, Bryant treasures spending time with his wife and their dog, watching movies, kayaking, and traveling.

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At Crossover Physical Therapy & Performance we understand what it means to be an athlete and the happiness the sport or activity can give a person. We have also been injured before and have gone to the traditional “cookie cutter” physical therapy clinic. After the first 30 minutes you can already tell that this isn’t the place for you if I wanted to get better and return to playing your sport. Unfortunately, those clinics are unable to give you the time and quality of care that you deserve to get you back to what you love to do.  We will always provide 1:1 sessions so we are able to give you the best experience in your journey to returning to your sport. 

We bridge the gap between physical therapy and sports performance through evaluating where you are in your injury process and building a plan together to get you to where you want to be. We want to help you crossover from your injury to your sport. 

Visit Our San Francisco Hand Therapy Clinic

We're conveniently located in the Pacific Heights neighborhood, just minutes from the Marina District, Russian Hill, and downtown San Francisco. Both on-street parking and public transit are easily accessible.

Email:
 mjohnke@gghandtherapy.com

Phone:
 415.359.1444

Office:
2238 Union Street
San Francisco, CA 94123

Driving Directions Snippet: We're just 5 minutes from the Marina, near the corner of Union and Fillmore. Close to restaurants, boutiques, and the Lombard Street area.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about hand therapy in San Francisco

What is a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)?

A CHT is an occupational therapist or physical therapist with specialized training and certification in treating upper extremity conditions. They must have a minimum of three years of clinical experience and 4,000+ hours of direct hand therapy practice to earn this credential.

How long does a typical hand therapy session last?

Our sessions are typically 45 minutes of one-on-one treatment with a certified specialist. We never hand patients over to aides and always provide personalized attention throughout your visit.

What should I expect during my first visit?

Your initial evaluation includes a comprehensive assessment of your condition, discussion of your goals, and development of a personalized treatment plan. We'll explain your condition, answer all your questions, and may begin treatment during the first session.

How is hand therapy different from general physical therapy?

Hand therapists have specialized training in the complex anatomy and function of the upper extremity. We focus specifically on conditions affecting the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand using advanced techniques like custom splint fabrication and specialized manual therapy.

Ready to take your first step?

During this 15-minute phone consultation we listen to you talk about what happened, what is giving you trouble now, what you’ve tried, and how this is affecting your life and the sport you play. You can let it all out, we are very good listeners!

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