Services
At Certified Hand Therapy Services, LLC in Boulder, Colorado, we treat conditions affecting the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand, including pre- and post-surgical conditions.
Although the majority of our patients come to us by physician referral, you are able to make an appointment for an evaluation without a physician's prescription. We are preferred provider for most of the major insurance carriers and we also accept cash pay patients.
FUNction!
Mitzi, Elise and Sara can custom fabricate functional splints for patients. This includes fabricating the splint in functional positions, such as holding the handlebars of your bike, holding your hiking poles, gripping your sea- kayak paddle, playing your violin, or chopping with your kitchen knife.
Patient Testimonial:
My hands are everything to me. Mitzi and her staff have been miracle workers in keeping me climbing, kayaking, and playing competitive golf. And now they crafted a thumb splint that has enabled me to paddle for hours a day on my multi- week sea- kayaking expeditions in Baja, California. And when I'm back home I am able to do all the projects around the house with minimal pain. I am indebted to the hand whisperer, Mitzi.
~Mark U.
Testimonials regarding hand therapy and function:
We’ve been so impressed with how skilled Mitzi is at providing just the right tools for each patient’s unique functional needs. She made it so much easier for our daughter to continue enjoying our family vacation, practice driving, ease back into swimming, and make so much progress on range of motion. Thank you so much for the custom solutions and speedy progress! Mitzi came highly recommended from a family friend and now we know why! -
~Jenna R.
"My osteoarthritis was impacting my ability to knit. I brought my knitting into therapy and completed an evaluation while knitting. I didn't know someone could evaluate how I was knitting and make suggestions to make it more comfortable, but Mitzi did!"
~ Julie
The therapists at Certified Hand Therapy were able to assist me in modifying my techniques during gardening and recommended specialized gardening tools to reduce pain in my hands and help me to enjoy it again!
~Mollie
Patient Testimonial:
Mitzi saved my piano career.
In the spring of 2021, I was flipping through social media on my phone when my thumb seized up. Pain radiated through my tendon—it got worse by the day. After seeing some doctors I was diagnosed with dequervains synovitis, a nasty type of thumb tendonitis. I am a professional pianist and composer, so this shook me to my core. Unable to play piano, open a jar or even hold a pencil, I bounced around different physical therapists for eight months while trying a variety of failing treatments. My condition was only becoming more severe. I even developed the condition in my other thumb. Now I was legitimately disabled and doubting the longevity of my career. Three times, I nearly got cortisone injections (not ideal for a pianist). But before I went down that road, I found Mitzi Harrison of Certified Hand Therapy Services. I’m so thankful that I did.
All of the treatments I’d received from previous therapists had been aggravating my condition, and she understood this. Taking a 180˚ different approach, we avoided ‘strengthening exercises’, focused on range of motion, contrast therapy and special treatments in her office consisting of ultrasound and cold laser therapy (cold laser is not offered at most PT offices and it was tremendously helpful in kick-starting my recovery).
Mitzi herself plays piano and has treated many musicians. She uniquely understands the mindset of a musician—everything from what a practice routine might look like to how much pressure we put on ourselves to be better.
Furthermore, Mitzi understands the stress caused by injuries and how that stress impacts the nervous system. She coached me on my relationship to pain and how to tell the difference between real inflammation and panic-induced tension that my nervous system kept wrongly interpreting as inflammation. Mitzi takes a wholistic approach to treatment.
By carefully following her advice, I slowly regained the ability to play piano. Now I am back to playing 2+ hours of piano every day with no pain. My thumbs have completely healed—I can resume all activities from my past. Thank you Certified Hand Therapy Services for saving my career and preserving my passion.
Jack Gaffney
composer, pianist, producer, singer