Alexis Alfaro

HISTORY

Since the beginning, I’ve had a strong interest in wellness and desire to become the healthiest, happiest version of myself by learning how to nurture the mind, body, and soul. I was a cheerleader, fitness instructor, professional makeup artist, public health advocate, and follower of Christ who enjoyed learning about anatomy, training, fine motor skills, holistic healing, and building relationships. During this time, I was featured on local health and fitness magazines due to my knowledge of physical wellbeing.

After finishing my bachelor’s degree in Human and Health Performance–Exercise Science, my older sister/best friend/physical therapist, inspired me to pursue a graduate career in therapy. Occupational/Hand Therapy was my calling. This specialty allowed me to join all my interests as well as help others do what they love to do!

HELPER

Alexis means, “Helper.” As an Occupational/Hand Therapist, my passion and purpose is clearly aligned by helping others restore, maintain, and promote health. Hand Therapy, a specialty practice area of Occupational Therapy, is focused on treating people with orthopedic-based upper-extremity conditions to optimize the functional use of the hand and arm.

Occupational Therapists use an occupation-based and client-centered approach that identifies the participation needs of each client such as, what they want to be able to do in daily life that is fulfilling, necessary, and/or meaningful. I enjoy creating interventions that emphasize the performance skills necessary to each clients’ desired activities, as the primary goal of therapy. “It is in our hands to create a better world for all who live in it.” – Nelson Mandela

TEACHING

I began my career in 2018 after graduating from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. I then moved to The Woodlands, Texas where I was mentored one-on-one by highly skilled CHTs around the Houston area. My career has primarily been focused on treating upper extremity injuries in acute care level 1 trauma, outpatient orthopedics, and sports rehab. I am certified in Graded Motor Imagery (GMI), Blood Flow Restriction (BFR), trained in orthotics fabrication and manual therapy techniques that maximize recovery outcomes.

My interests include hand trauma tendon and nerve injuries, management of the arthritic hand both pre/post-operative, treatment of overuse syndromes of the upper extremity, and progressive resistance exercises (PRE) that improve the ability to generate force and increase functional performance with activities of daily living. I have a strong combination of clinical reasoning, ethical techniques, as well as strong interpersonal skills in English and Spanish with an initiative to make a meaningful and long-lasting contribution to each client. Currently, I’m an Occupational Therapist (OT) finishing my 4,000 hours of direct practice experience in outpatient rehabilitation required to become a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) and continue to love health, fitness, and rehabilitation with a strong passion for hand therapy.