A New Era for Hand Therapy Education: HandLab Moves to "Clinicians Classroom"

RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- BraceLab, the US distributor of Push® premium European braces, announced today that sister company HandLab is moving all educational offerings to the "Clinicians Classroom" on BraceLab.com. In particular, the previously fee-based online video credit courses taught by owner and internationally renowned hand therapist Judy C. Colditz, OT/L, CHT, FAOTA will be re-released over the coming months in shorter segments for easier viewing. These videos will now be free of charge and continuing education credit will no longer be available.

HandLab was created by Ms. Colditz in 1996 to provide state-of-the-art hand therapy clinical education, including live courses, online offerings, DVDs, and consulting services. In 2011, she consulted with Push® Braces on the design of an orthosis for thumb CMC arthritis, which became the Push® MetaGrip®, now the gold standard brace for non-surgical treatment. HandLab began offering the Push MetaGrip and other Push and Push Sports products shortly thereafter. In 2017, the braces and the education were separated to provide customers more dedicated support. With the recent retirement of Ms. Colditz from teaching, she feels the best way to support hand therapists is to make all educational materials easily accessible via the Clinicians Classroom on BraceLab.com.

"When you learn it, teach it," is Ms. Colditz's motto. "As a hand therapist who focused my career on teaching other therapists, I am excited to give all HandLab educational material I have developed as my legacy to the next generation. Because much of my teaching has a strong anatomical base, the information will hopefully be useful for several generations to come and will encourage young therapists to decide that when they learn it, they should teach it. I hope the best way to distribute our hand therapy video courses is to create shorter segments, making the information more easily viewed."

The Clinicians Classroom is a newly created section of the BraceLab website providing a wide range of resources for hand therapists as well as occupational and physical therapists. In addition to the online video courses, the site contains more than a decade of monthly therapy articles entitled "Clinical Pearls" and "Clinical Clues," covering both the upper and lower extremity; a variety of "What Do You See?" posts; and other educational pieces. BraceLab will continue adding materials on a regular basis, written by other therapists.

The first video course to be released is The Obstinate PIP Joint which explores the anatomy, causes of stiffness, and treatment approaches to resolve stiffness. Video demonstrations of orthotic construction are included. Therapists who previously purchased an online video course for credit can continue to view their courses and access the exams for credit until July 1 of this year. To receive announcements regarding Clinicians Classroom content, therapists can subscribe to the BraceLab newsletter or follow the company on Facebook or Instagram.

Having been part of the evolution of the specialty of hand therapy since its inception in the US, Ms. Colditz wants to leave a legacy that benefits therapists and patients in the coming decades. Providing easy access to online educational content seems the best way to accomplish this.

About BraceLab

BraceLab is the exclusive distributor of Push® and Push® Sports premium braces in the United States. Push braces are uniquely designed in consultation with medical experts to be anatomically correct and provide optimal support with minimal restriction of daily activities. Push braces are made in Europe with premium quality materials and workmanship for maximum comfort and durability. Most Push products utilize SympressTM, a soft, moisture-wicking microfiber material, are machine washable, and have a 90-day guarantee. BraceLab is an off shoot of HandLab, after founder and internationally renowned hand therapist and educator Judy C. Colditz, OT/L, CHT, FAOTA helped design the Push® MetaGrip®, a ground-breaking brace for thumb CMC osteoarthritis. Both companies are known for exceptional customer service. For more information, please visit http://www.bracelab.com.

SOURCE BraceLab