Welcome to Premier Hand Therapy

At Premier Hand Therapy our therapists go above and beyond to help our patients reach their full recovery potential after sustaining an injury or requiring guidance with life challenges. We provide evidence-based treatment to overcome debilitating daily life challenges during your healing process.
We are committed to treating you to the highest excellence of industry standards. You will immediately sense an attitude of personalized evaluation and treatment. Specific steps will be implemented and communicated to you as your recovery progresses.​
Hand Rehabilitation
Hand therapy is the science of treating strength and range of motion in an individual’s upper extremity. It includes arms, hands, wrists, shoulders, elbows, and forearms. Patients seeking hand therapy generally have an injury or chronic condition that demands therapeutic assistance. At Premier Hand Therapy we have Certified Hand therapists who specialize in this treatment, providing preventative care, post-operational rehabilitation, and non-operative therapy. If you are looking to regain functionality in some part of your upper extremity, our hand therapy options will prove to help immensely.

Diagnosis Treated
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Amputation
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Arthritis
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Carpal Tunnel
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Cubital Tunnel
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DeQuervain's tenosynovitis
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Dislocations
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Dupytren's
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Fractures
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Ganglion cysts
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Lateral epicondylitis
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Ligament injuries ("sprains")
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Mallet finger
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Medial epicondylitis
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Nerve lacerations and contusions
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Repetitive strain injuries
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Shoulder injuries-frozen shoulder, instability, impingement, rotator cuff
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Sprains/strains
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Stiffness
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Tendinitis
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Tendon lacerations
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Trigger finger
Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)
If you are scheduled for a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) at Premier Hand Therapy, you may have questions about what to expect. We want to provide you with some information to help you prepare for your evaluation day. An FCE includes a series of objective tests, practices, and observations that assess your physical ability to function in different areas. The final report can help demonstrate how your symptoms affect your ability to perform essential work functions.
The evaluation may take up to 5 hours, with a few breaks in between. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing similar to workout or gym apparel since you will be performing a series of physical tests. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions regarding your FCE.


Why PHT?
One of the only certified hand therapists in the El Paso/Las Cruises area, Gloria Brown has over 40 years of personalized hand therapy recovery success. She is trusted by an impressive number of orthopedic surgeons in the region to deliver the highest quality proven available in today's high-tech medical environment.
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Gloria Brown was presented with the Texas Clinical Excellence Award in 2022. She is committed to offering you:
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More time evaluating your medical hand therapy
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Extensive knowledge in using the latest techniques and available medical devices
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Individualized therapy that you will trust and enjoy as you recover!
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You will be impressed with the quality of attention and care you will experience at PHT.
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Please call our office with any questions you may have.
We look forward to serving you.
Occupational Hand Therapy Services
Rehabilitation Treatment Techniques:
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Individualized exercise programs for increased range of motion, strength, coordination, and endurance
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Individualized, printed home exercise programs
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Techniques to reduce swelling and pain
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Joint and soft tissue mobilization to increase mobility
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Wound care
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Scar management
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Custom orthotic fabrication for positioning, protection, or to improve function.
Rehabilitation Education:
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Prevention of re-injury
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Limit disease progression
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Reduce treatment time
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Increase independence in your own care
Modalities:
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Ultrasound
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Electrical stimulation
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Fluidotherapy
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Graston instrument assisted tissue mobilization
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Dry needling
Meet our therapy team

Gloria Brown OTR/L, CHT, MS
Gloria is an accomplished professional with over 20 years of experience in the field. She has held many roles, including educator and clinical instructor. Her dedication to the profession has earned her numerous awards and honors, including the prestigious Award for Clinical Excellence in 2022 from the Texas Occupational Therapy Association (TOTA) . Gloria remains actively involved as a committed member of therapy boards in her community.In 2018, Gloria founded Premier Hand Therapy, aiming to bring exceptional, specialized care to the El Paso community. With her wealth of experience and deep commitment to patient well-being, Gloria has solidified her reputation as a leader in her field. Her professional expertise, combined with a compassionate approach, ensures excellence in every aspect of patient care.

Danny Medrano, OTR, CFCE, PhD
Danny is an accomplished professional in the field of occupational therapy, boasting over two decades of experience and a strong academic foundation. With a Doctorate in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences (specializing in Biomechanics) and a Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of Texas at El Paso, he pairs extensive expertise with a compassionate approach to care.
Recently, Danny enhanced his qualifications by earning a certification in Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE) from OccuPro, further demonstrating his commitment to delivering tailored and effective rehabilitation solutions. Throughout his career, Danny has been dedicated to advancing patient outcomes, fostering departmental efficiency, and mentoring staff to ensure excellence in care.

JoAnne Clifford, COTA, CIEE, BS
JoAnne is a dedicated occupational therapy practitioner with a strong foundation in psychology and eight years of professional experience as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Rehabilitation Sciences from Concordia University Wisconsin and has further enhanced her expertise by completing a certification in Industrial Ergonomics from Occupro.
JoAnne’s commitment to lifelong learning is evident as she recently returned to school to pursue her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at Baylor University. Her academic and professional achievements reflect a passion for advancing patient care and contributing to the field of occupational therapy.