Therapists

Nick Antoniou

Nick Antoniou graduated as an Occupational Therapist from La Trobe University in 1998 and has predominantly specialised in the area of Hand and Upper Limb Rehabilitation. He went on to complete his Postgraduate Diploma in Hand Therapy from the University of Derby in the UK in 2008, later attaining recognition as an Accredited Hand Therapist (AHT) as awarded by the Australian Hand Therapy Association (AHTA).

Nick has worked both locally and abroad, and spent a number of years in the United Kingdom where he worked in some of South East England’s leading hospitals within the National Health Service. Here he played an instrumental role in the development of progressive therapist led hand clinics. These clinics involved the triage, diagnosis and management of patients with a range of hand injuries and conditions. He was also involved in an innovative program of triaging, assessing and placing suitable patients directly onto surgical waiting lists for carpal tunnel syndrome.

In Melbourne, Nick has held senior clinician roles in both public and private settings and has worked alongside some of Melbourne’s leading upper limb surgeons. This exposure made Nick recognise from early on of the importance of a collaborative relationship between a therapist, a surgeon and a patient when it comes to achieving the best patient outcomes. This emphasis and committment to teamwork and attentive, high quality care remains central to the culture at Total Hand & Upper Limb Therapy.

Nick regularly presents in various forums. He presents to General Practitioners, at education seminars and at special interest group meetings. He is passionate about educating on the significant benefits of specialised hand therapy for optimising patient outcomes and is why he has enjoyed being involved in training undergraduate and graduate therapists in the area of hand rehabilitation. He has also participated in research activities and previously explored the outcomes of an innovative surgical implant for basal thumb osteoarthritis and has contributed to co-authoring a chapter on the management of hand injuries in a text book on Extreme Sports Injuries.

Kiran Johal

Kiran recently joined Total Hand & Upper Limb Therapy, demonstrating a strong passion for treating hand trauma and injuries. She is a compassionate hand therapist with a diverse clinical background. She initially completed her Bachelor of Applied Science, Psychology degree, however after discovering her passion for helping others achieve functional independence, Kiran pursued a Masters in Occupational Therapy from Swinburne University, and graduated in 2021, where she developed and honed her skills in the field of OT. During her studies, Kiran completed a clinical placement in hand therapy, sparking her strong interest for this specialised area. This experience provided invaluable insights into the complex needs of patients with hand injuries, inspiring her to pursue further practice and studies in this field.

Kiran’s professional journey has included working in both public and private healthcare settings across Melbourne’s north and west. She has gained significant experience in the area of disability, where she has worked with and supported patients in reclaiming their independence. She is dedicated to delivering holistic, patient-centred care tailored to each individual’s needs, helping them regain function and return them to the activities they love.

Kiran has demonstrated her commitment to professional growth by pursuing her accreditation in Hand Therapy through the Australian Hand Therapy Association with the aim of providing the highest standard of care in hand therapy to her patients.

When she’s not at work, Kiran can be found barracking for her AFL team Carlton. She also loves to play tennis and can often be found at the gym honing her strength.