Hands On Rehabilitation

What Hands On Rehabilitation does

Hands On Rehabilitation is a privately held, founder-led specialist hand and upper limb physiotherapy practice operating across the upper North Island of New Zealand. Founded in 2003 by Kelly Davison and Tania Stephenson, both Registered Hand Therapists with more than 30 years of clinical experience, the practice today operates ten clinic locations spanning North Shore Auckland, central and South Auckland, West Auckland, the Hibiscus Coast, and Whangarei (Northland) — including two clinics co-located inside Shorecare urgent care centres that capture acute hand injuries at point of care. The clinical team comprises 40-plus named therapists across Registered Hand Therapists, Accredited Hand Therapists, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists, supported by 14-plus administrative staff.

The core service offering is specialist hand and upper limb rehabilitation: assessment, manual therapy, custom splint fabrication, wound and scar management, post-surgical rehabilitation, ergonomic workplace assessments, sensory testing and retraining, and return-to-work/sport programmes. Service is delivered through in-person clinic visits and video-based telehealth consultations. Differentiating technical capabilities include bespoke splint design made during appointments (including multi-trauma presentations), co-located acute injury capture within Shorecare urgent care, and a structured training pipeline through AUT University's postgraduate hand and upper limb programme.

The business model operates on a fee-for-service basis with two primary revenue streams: ACC-funded treatment (the New Zealand government accident insurer covers the majority of treatment cost with patients paying a $20 co-payment per visit, $10 for Community Services Card holders), and private/self-funded treatment for non-ACC conditions such as arthritis, chronic pain, and gradual onset injuries at $120 initial consultation and $80 follow-up. Go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer acquisition via online booking (Gensolve platform), an 0800 phone number, and a no-referral-required policy, supplemented by healthcare-provider referral relationships (orthopaedic and plastic surgeons, GPs, ACC, insurers), co-located urgent-care capture, and light content marketing through a blog and organic social channels (Facebook, Instagram). The company has no disclosed external funding or institutional ownership.

Name

Hands On Rehabilitation

Legal name

Hands On Rehabilitation

Website

https://handsonrehab.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hands On Rehabilitation is a privately held New Zealand specialist hand and upper limb physiotherapy practice operating ten clinic locations across Auckland and Northland, serving ACC-funded and private patients with custom splinting, rehabilitation, and telehealth delivered by Registered Hand Therapists.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hand Therapy & Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340), Home Health Care Services (62161)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)

akta.pro primary industry

Hand & Upper Extremity Therapy (OT/CHT) (HSADAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Orthopedic Physical Therapy & Post-Op Rehab (HSADAIAA), Hand & Upper Extremity (HLAKALAF), Orthopedic & Sports Rehabilitation Centers (HLAFAFAI), Orthopedic & Post-Surgical Rehabilitation Centers (HLADAJAI)

Keywords

• Hand therapy services
• Upper limb rehabilitation
• Custom splinting casting
• Post-surgical rehabilitation
• Telehealth physiotherapy

Headquarters

HQ city

Northcote

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. ACC-Funded Treatment: Patients with accident-related hand, wrist, or elbow injuries are covered by ACC, which covers the majority of treatment costs. Patients pay a co-payment per visit ($20 standard; $10 for Community Services Card holders). Covers workplace injuries, sports injuries, falls, and traumatic injuries. ACC also covers splinting, casting, dressings, and wound care in most instances.
2. Private/Self-Funded Treatment: Patients without ACC coverage (e.g., arthritis, post-surgical rehabilitation, chronic pain, gradual onset conditions) pay privately. Initial consultation $120, follow-up appointment $80. Additional material costs may apply for custom splints or dressings.
3. Telehealth Consultations: Video consultation appointments available. ACC-funded telehealth is available to patients within Auckland and Northland regions; private telehealth appointments are available to patients anywhere in New Zealand. Fees align with standard ACC co-payment or private rates.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Hands On Rehabilitation is a specialist hand and upper limb therapy practice operating across 10 clinic locations in Auckland and Northland, New Zealand. The practice delivers assessment, custom splint fabrication, manual therapy, wound and scar management, post-surgical rehabilitation, and telehealth consultations for hand, wrist, and elbow conditions. Treatment is provided by physiotherapists and occupational therapists with postgraduate hand therapy training, with ACC registration enabling direct billing for accident-related injuries.

Product overview

Hands On Rehabilitation operates as a unified healthcare service network offering specialist hand therapy across ten clinic locations in Auckland and Northland, New Zealand. The core offering is hand and upper limb rehabilitation delivered by physiotherapists and occupational therapists with postgraduate hand therapy training. Services are provided both in-person at clinic locations and via telehealth video consultations. Treatment encompasses custom splinting, manual therapy, post-surgical rehabilitation, wound and scar management, and return-to-work/sport programmes. ACC registration enables accident-related injury coverage alongside private payment options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hand Therapy Services Specialized assessment and treatment of hand, wrist, and upper limb conditions by physiotherapists and occupational therapists with postgraduate hand therapy training. Services include custom splinting, manual therapy, wound management, and rehabilitation programmes for individual patients.
• Telehealth Consultations

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 2,500 acute patients treated at Shorecare Smales Farm clinic in first 3 years of operation (February 2023 onwards)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AUT University (Hand and Upper Limb Training Programme)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Hands On Rehabilitation therapists complete the postgraduate certificate in hand and upper limb rehabilitation at AUT University as part of their path to becoming Registered Hand Therapists. The programme includes intensive block courses taught by experienced hand therapists and presentations from leading hand surgeons. Four to six Hands On therapists are currently enrolled in this programme, mentored by senior Registered Hand Therapists within the practice.
• Shorecare (Greville Road)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2024Hands On Rehabilitation operates a clinic inside Shorecare Greville Road urgent care centre at 50 Greville Road, Pinehill. The partnership extends specialist hand therapy into the Greville Road medical complex, serving patients from Rosedale, Mairangi Bay, Glenfield, Pinehill, Albany, and across the upper North Shore. Services offered Monday to Friday with free parking for patients.
• Shorecare (Smales Farm)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 February 2023Hands On Rehabilitation operates a clinic inside Shorecare Smales Farm urgent care centre at 74 Taharoto Road, Takapuna. Co-location enables specialist hand therapy to be delivered directly within the acute care setting, treating patients at the point of injury. The partnership supports same-day assessment, diagnosis, splinting, and treatment planning for acute hand, wrist, and finger injuries. The clinic opened February 7, 2023 and in three years has seen nearly 2,500 acute patients. Staffed by David Beattie, Mark Lanigan, and Courtney Wilkinson.
• Kensington Health Hub (Whangarei)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Whangarei clinic is located within the Kensington Health Hub at 8 Kensington Avenue, Whangarei. The partnership provides access to the only dedicated hand therapy service in the Northland region. Plenty of free patient parking is available at the hub.
• NorthMed Medical Centre (Akoranga)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Akoranga clinic is located inside NorthMed medical centre at 3 Akoranga Drive, Northcote. Sign-posted parking is provided free for appointments. The clinic serves patients from across the inner North Shore.
• Westgate Shopping CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Westgate clinic is located inside the Westgate Shopping Centre at Unit 4, 7 Maki Street, Westgate. Parking is available in the shopping centre carparks. The clinic serves patients from Westgate, Massey, Royal Heights, Hobsonville, Whenuapai, Kumeu, Huapai, and Riverhead.
• Red Beach Shopping CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Red Beach clinic is located inside the Red Beach Shopping Centre on Red Beach Road, Hibiscus Coast. The clinic serves patients from the entire Whangaparaoa Peninsula including Red Beach, Stanmore Bay, Manly, Orewa, Army Bay, Arkles Bay, and Silverdale.
• Orthopaedic and Plastic SurgeonscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHands On Rehabilitation works closely with orthopaedic and plastic surgeons to ensure joined-up patient care from start to finish. Therapists provide post-surgical rehabilitation and liaise with surgeons on patient management plans. The practice also makes acute referrals to hand surgeons when complete ligament tears or complex injuries are identified.
• GPs and Primary Care ProviderscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGPs refer patients for specialist hand therapy assessment and treatment. While no referral is required for patients to book directly, the practice maintains referral relationships with primary care providers. Hands On can also refer patients to their GP for further input when needed (e.g., for work-related injury claims or specialist surgical opinion).
• ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHands On Rehabilitation is ACC registered and directly manages ACC claims for patients with accident-related hand, wrist, and elbow injuries. The practice lodgements ACC claims on behalf of patients, bill ACC directly for the majority of treatment costs, and collect patient co-payments. ACC covers splinting, casting, dressings, and wound care in most instances.
• Counties Medical Integrated Health (Papakura)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Papakura clinic operates from inside Counties Medical Integrated Health at 6-18 O'Shannessey Street, Papakura. Previously Counties Hand Clinic (acquired by Hands On Rehabilitation in 2022). Designated parking available for the medical centre.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• MoveWell Health: New Zealand physiotherapy and rehabilitation practice offering upper limb and post-surgical hand therapy. Comparable to Hands On in clinical scope but smaller in scale and clinic count.

Regional players

• Axis Sports Medicine: Multi-disciplinary sports medicine and physiotherapy group in Auckland offering upper limb rehabilitation. Comparable to Hands On through overlapping Auckland footprint and upper limb clinical capability, but broader in specialty scope.
• Bounce Health (formerly Sports Injury Physio): New Zealand physiotherapy network with hand therapy and rehabilitation services. Comparable to Hands On as a multi-site NZ physiotherapy provider treating upper limb conditions, though with a broader generalist focus.
• LifeCare Health (Australia): Large Australian allied health network with hand therapy and upper limb rehabilitation clinics. Comparable to Hands On as a multi-site specialist hand and upper limb therapy provider, but operating across Australia rather than New Zealand.
• Total Performance Therapy: New Zealand allied health provider offering physiotherapy, hand therapy, and rehabilitation services. Comparable to Hands On through overlapping hand and upper limb clinical capability, though broader in service scope and not solely specialist.
• sportsmed (Christchurch): Specialist sports medicine and physiotherapy group in the South Island offering upper limb rehabilitation among other services. Comparable to Hands On as a multi-clinic specialist rehab provider, but regional to Canterbury rather than Auckland/Northland.

Broad incumbents

• Active+: New Zealand physiotherapy and rehabilitation group with multiple clinics and multidisciplinary services. Comparable to Hands On as a multi-site NZ allied health provider, though broader in service mix and not specialist hand-focused.
• APM Workcare: Large Australasian provider of vocational and injury rehabilitation services, including hand and upper limb therapy for ACC-funded clients. Comparable to Hands On through shared ACC referral channel and multi-site rehab delivery, but operates at much larger scale and broader scope.
• Habit Health: One of New Zealand's largest allied health and rehabilitation networks, offering physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and workplace rehabilitation across multiple sites. Comparable to Hands On as a multi-site NZ rehab provider, but at significantly broader scope and national scale.

Direct peers

• Hand Works (Australia): Specialist hand therapy clinic group in Australia providing hand and upper limb rehabilitation, custom splinting, and post-surgical therapy. Closest direct peer to Hands On in specialty focus, clinical service mix, and therapist credentialing model, though geographically separate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HandsOnRehabilitation
• Instagraminstagram.com/handsonrehabilitation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hands-on-rehabilitation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hands On Rehabilitation