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What is the Hand Therapy Clinic?

The Hand and Wrist Therapy program at Group23 provides a team approach to care for complex hand and wrist injuries, disorders, and post-op cases requiring treatment from a physiotherapist with specialty training. Its focus is to return patients to their functional level of performance in their chosen sport and activities of daily living.

Certified Hand Therapist

“A CHT is an occupational therapist or physiotherapist who has a minimum of three years of clinical experience, including 4,000 hours or more in direct practice in hand therapy. In addition, the CHT has successfully passed a comprehensive test of advanced clinical skills and theory in upper-quarter rehabilitation. Every CHT is required to demonstrate continued professional development and competency by recertifying every five years.” (Source: Hand Therapy Certification Commission)

 

At Group23 Sports Medicine, we are fortunate to have one of the first physiotherapists to receive a CHT designation in Alberta; currently, there are only a few CHTs working in private clinics in our province.

Conditions We Treat At Our Hand Therapy Clinic
  • Finger injuries, including mallet injuries, finger sprains and dislocations, skier's thumb
  • Wrist sprains and injuries, including scapholunate/wrist sprains, TFCC injuries
  • Trigger finger or thumb
  • Tendonitis (deQuervain's)
  • Osteoarthritis of the wrist, hand or thumb
  • Pre-operative and post-surgical conditions
  • Fractures of hand, wrist and forearm
  • Upper extremity nerve compression or neuropathy (carpal tunnel)
  • Repetitive sprains or strains and any undiagnosed wrist or hand pain
Rise Above

We Offer Tailored, Patient-Centric Plans to Help Individuals Rise Above Their Injuries

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Accessing the Clinic

Book an Appointment
If you believe you could benefit from our Hand and Wrist Therapy Clinic, click here to book. You can also call 403-284-4040 and a booking coordinator can assist you.
1
Prepare For the Appointment
Prepare for the appointment by wearing a shirt that allows quick and easy access below the elbow as well as any splints or devices that you have already tried. You should also bring your Alberta Health Care card and your referral if one was provided.
2
During the Appointment
You can expect your first assessment to be approximately 60 minutes in length. The first consultation will allow the specialist to review the nature of your disorder/injury and begin mapping out a treatment plan.
3
Ongoing Treatment Plan
Treatment sessions will vary depending on the nature of the injury/disorder. In general, therapy sessions are generally once every 1-2 weeks with a home program focus unless more frequent and hands-on treatment is indicated.
4

Stacey, Keri-Ann, Mark, and Stephen are experts in hand and wrist therapy. They are dedicated to providing the best care and physiotherapy services to help you return to an active lifestyle. Contact us, and our specialists will be happy to support you.

Stacey J. Will

Physiotherapy Lead/Certified Hand Therapist
BscPT, CHT
Read Bio >>

Keri-Ann Cowan

Physiotherapist
Read Bio >>

Mark Metcalf

Physiotherapist
BScKin, MScPT, FCAMPT, CMAP
Read Bio >>

Stephen Payne

Physiotherapist
MScPT, MSc, BKin
Read Bio >>

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it different from physiotherapy?
Not really – just more specialized and focused below the elbow. At Group23, our physiotherapists provide comprehensive assessment and treatment programs focused on injury prevention, returning you to an optimal level of performance and also helping to prevent the recurrence of an injury.
No. You can access the Hand and Wrist Therapy Clinic without a formal referral from your family doctor.
Yes, our clinic’s standard physiotherapy rates apply to the Hand Therapy Clinic. Please note that physiotherapy appointments at Group23 are not covered by Alberta Health Care but may be covered by your personal extended health benefits plan.
The first consultation will allow the specialist to review the nature of your hand or wrist disorder/injury and begin mapping out a treatment plan. Therapy sessions will vary depending on the nature of the injury/disorder. In general, therapy sessions are generally once every 1-2 weeks with a home program focus unless more frequent and hands-on treatment is indicated.
Stacey J. Will

Physiotherapy Lead/Certified Hand Therapist
BscPT, CHT

Stacey holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy with Distinction from the University of Alberta (1993). After a few years of general orthopedic practice, she became more interested in hands and their complex healing pattern and so joined the Foothills Hospital Hand Clinic team. She obtained her designation as a Certified Hand Therapist in 1998 and was the second therapist in Calgary to do so. Stacey is still one of very few CHTs in private practice in Alberta and her practice is focused on treating only injuries to the wrist and hand. She sees all types of patients including athletic injuries, arthritis management, post-trauma, and repetitive strain injury. Stacey’s treatment plan may include splinting when appropriate (custom or off the shelf), and patient education and a home program are always the foundation of care.

 

Stacey is an active mentor to physiotherapists wanting to learn more about treating hands and has set up the Hand Therapy team here at Group23. She is also a resource of other therapists in the Calgary area and enjoys teaching. She has worked closely with many Calgary hand surgeons over the years and networks with other health professionals when necessary to provide the best care possible for each client.

Stacey is a native Calgarian and bilingual graduate of Western Canada High School. Her former competitive hockey player and figure skater are now flown from the nest, so she is transitioning from her life of being a busy rink mom!

 

**as of January 2025 Stacey Will is only taking new patients by direct referral (from surgeon or specialist). Please call our admin team to book or be placed on her waitlist – or please book with Mark, Keri-Ann, or Stephen! While not CHTs they have a lot of experience with all manner of wrist and hand injuries. We work as a team, and Stacey is there everyday so her expertise will be part of your care plan when needed.

Keri-Ann Cowan

Physiotherapist

Keri-Ann holds a Master’s in Physical Therapy from the University of Saskatchewan. She has skillfully managed an extensive and diverse caseload, catering to individuals ranging from toddlers to geriatrics. Drawing inspiration from a personal journey of overcoming a hand injury, she passionately pursues expertise in hand therapy, driven by a genuine understanding of the challenges faced by patients.

Committed to providing empathetic and personalized care, she is dedicated to delving deeper into the specialized field of hand therapy. With advanced qualifications, including Level 2 Functional Dry Needling, she continuously strives to enhance skills and knowledge for the benefit of those seeking treatment.

Beyond the clinic, Keri-Ann extends this compassionate approach to life. An accomplished competitive swimmer, she brings a wealth of experience from this highly competitive swimming background. This background not only honed her discipline but also instilled valuable leadership skills and the ability to thrive as a team player. As an avid motorcycle enthusiast, she finds joy in the open road and cherishes time spent outdoors, engaging in activities like fishing and boating. These pursuits reflect a holistic perspective on health and well-being, emphasizing the importance of a supportive and empathetic approach to healthcare.

Proudly born and raised Calgarian, she brings a deep connection to the community, recognizing the unique needs of fellow Calgarians. She looks forward to extending a warm and empathetic hand to those seeking exceptional care and support in their health journey.
Mark Metcalf

Physiotherapist
BScKin, MScPT, FCAMPT, CMAP

A native of central Alberta, Mark graduated from the University of Calgary with an undergraduate in Kinesiology. After working as a kinesiologist for several years, Mark attended McMaster University and attained a Masters in Physiotherapy in 2003. Since graduating, Mark has completed his Certificate in Medical Acupuncture from the University of Alberta in 2005, and his Advanced Diploma in Manual and Manipulative Therapy through the Canadian Physiotherapy Association in 2010. In addition to that Mark has completed post graduate courses in Musculoskeletal Diagnostic Imaging, Conservative Management for Whiplash Associated Disorder, Evidence Based Practice in Manual Therapy, and Vestibular Rehabilitation. He is registered with the College of Physical Therapists of Alberta (CPTA) and is on the spinal manipulation, diagnostic imaging, and dry needling rosters.

He is registered with the College of Physical Therapists of Alberta (CPTA) and is on the spinal manipulation, diagnostic imaging, and dry needling rosters. Mark is involved in educating other physiotherapists through both individual mentorship as well as formal education as a credentialled instructor with the Orthopaedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. Mark has extensive experience working alongside orthopaedic surgeons, physiatrists, sports medicine physicians, and family physicians assisting in developing conservative treatment plans and the use of advanced medical imaging or diagnostic and treatment injection procedures. He also enjoys treating both recreational and competitive athletes in assisting them achieve their highest level of function.

While Mark enjoys treating individuals with a wide range of conditions his current focus is on managing upper extremity injuries, in particular the hand and wrist, as he is pursuing further training in management of upper extremity disorders including preparing for the Certified Hand Therapist certification.

When Mark is not at work, he enjoys spending time with his family or fishing and camping in the backcountry.
Stephen Payne

Physiotherapist
MScPT, MSc, BKin

Stephen graduated with a Masters of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Western Ontario. Prior to his time at Western, he earned a Bachelors of Kinesiology as well as a Masters of Science from Jacksonville State University in Alabama.

Stephen’s passion for physiotherapy began after managing multiple injuries throughout his experience competing in sport. His focus was on cross country/track & field where he most recently competed for Jacksonville State University in the NCAA where he had earned a scholarship. Stephen enjoys working with a vast variety of clientele from elite athletes to those trying to get back to their activities of daily living. He develops an active treatment plan that is evidenced-based which helps to best facilitate the client’s rehabilitation journey.

While he enjoys treating a large variety of injuries and conditions, Stephen has a special interest in the hand and wrist and is currently working towards his Certified Hand Therapist designation.

Stephen has taken his passion for sport and shifted his focus to help support athletes in their pursuit of excellence. When he is not in the clinic, he is often working with various teams and providing medical coverage at sporting events. This experience come from working with numerous men’s and women’s hockey programs as well as providing medical coverage at numerous National and World Championships. Stephen is currently one of the physiotherapists supporting the Canadian National Luge Team throughout their world cup season.