April is Occupational Therapy (OT) Month to recognize a field that helps people of all ages regain independence, function, and quality of life. At Holy Cross Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation, OT isn’t just a profession, it’s a calling, especially for certified hand therapists like Lisa Crabtree Edmonds and Barbara Lewis, who bring expert care to our community.
While physical therapy focuses on improving mobility, strength, and balance, occupational therapy centers on helping people participate in meaningful daily activities. That might mean learning to dress oneself after a stroke, improving hand strength after surgery, or adapting workspaces to reduce pain and injury.
“Occupation isn’t just your job,” explains Lisa Crabtree Edmonds, occupational therapist at Holy Cross. “It’s any functional activity. If you’re a child, it might be holding your pencil or paying attention in school. Our goal is to help people get back to their purposeful life meanings.”
Hand therapy is a highly specialized branch of OT that treats everything from tendon and nerve injuries to arthritis and repetitive stress conditions. It’s essential for artists, craftspeople, and musicians—of which Taos has many.
“I help people get back to doing what they love. This is a creative community, and I get to work with musicians, artists, and all kinds of people who rely on their hands to work and express themselves.”
– Lisa Crabtree Edmonds
Lisa and her colleague, Barbara Lewis, are both Certified Hand Therapists—a rare and rigorous credential that requires years of experience and the successful completion of an intensive exam. “Our certification means we provide an extra level of expertise,” Lisa says. “Hand therapy is complex. We don’t just massage hands—we treat tendonitis, fractures, arthritis, and trauma. We’re the only certified hand therapists in Taos, and physicians as far as Santa Fe refer patients to us because of our specialty.”
Tracey Poffenroth-Prato, Director of Holy Cross Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation, says having two certified hand therapists in a rural community like Taos is remarkable. “The certification process is incredibly difficult and shows their commitment to healing patients,” she says. “We were thrilled when Barbara decided to join our team. She brings a wealth of experience. In Kansas City, she was seeing 18 or more patients a day. She’s seen and helped a lot of people, and we’re fortunate to have her skills here in Taos.”
Barbara joined Holy Cross in February after moving from Kansas City. “I grew up in a small town, so Taos felt instantly like home,” she says. “I love it here—the pace is slower, the people are kind, and I get to care for my friends and neighbors. I’m here for the long haul.” With 35 years of experience as an occupational therapist and a deep passion for helping people, Barbara brings both skill and heart to the job. “Hands are my passion,” she says. “I love helping people recover from injuries or reduce daily discomfort.”
In addition to hand therapy, both Lisa and Barbara are experienced general occupational therapists. They work with patients experiencing cumulative trauma—everything from computer-related strain to overuse injuries in construction work.
“We help people use their bodies more effectively to avoid long-term damage. Fine motor work is a good example of something we can help with.”
– Barbara Lewis
Their focus is on the upper extremities—hand, wrist, and elbow. Whether you’re recovering from surgery, managing arthritis, or trying to get back to playing an instrument pain-free, Lisa and Barbara provide individualized, expert care. “We work closely with many physicians in our region to support patients through recovery,” Lisa says. “It’s rewarding to be part of a team that can provide this level of specialized care right here in our community.”
At its heart, occupational therapy is about returning to the things that give life meaning.
“It’s not just about getting people back to work, It’s about getting you back to your life.”
– Lisa Crabtree Edmonds
A referral is necessary, but the team is here to help. For more information, contact Holy Cross Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation at 575-737-0304 or visit holycrossmedicalcenter.org.
