SportsMed Physical Therapy Team

Jacqueline Schechtel, MS, OTR/L

Jacqueline Schechtel SportsMed Physical Therapist

Jacqueline Schechtel, MS, OTR/L

Jacqueline Schechtel, MS, OTR/L received her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy at Salus University. Her main focus is hand therapy, and she has experience with pediatric occupational therapy. Jacqueline’s favorite part about being an Occupational Therapist is the therapeutic relationship she forms with her patients. She loves helping her patients achieve their goals and return to the activities that they love. We use our hands for almost every activity that we do, and she finds it so rewarding to see the patients return to activities that they value with less difficulty, more independence, and less pain. Jacqueline likes to spend her free time with her friends, family, boyfriend, and black lab border collie mix, Lexi. She loves finding new places to explore, like cute towns and hiking trails. She also enjoys cooking and baking.

Benefits of Hand Therapy

There are many benefits of hand therapy, a specialized form of rehabilitation for the hands, wrists, forearms, and upper limbs:

1. Restores Function After Injury or Surgery

  • Supports recovery from fractures, tendon repairs, nerve injuries, and post-operative stiffness.

  • Helps patients regain strength, mobility, and coordination in daily tasks.


2. Reduces Pain and Swelling

  • Uses manual therapy, exercises, and modalities (like ultrasound or splinting) to manage pain and decrease inflammation.


3. Improves Range of Motion and Dexterity

  • Tailored exercises enhance fine motor skills, flexibility, and joint mobility—essential for tasks such as writing, typing, and gripping.


4. Enhances Nerve Recovery

  • Promotes healing and sensory re-education after nerve damage or conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome or nerve lacerations.


5. Custom Splinting & Adaptive Strategies

  • Provides custom-made orthotic splints to protect healing tissues, correct deformities, or support weak joints.

  • Teaches tools and techniques to safely adapt daily activities.