Occupational Therapist/ Certified Hand Therapist
She was the Founder and Director of her 2 private practice Hands-On-Care in San Jose, CA. She was the Conference Chair of Hand Therapy Association of California 2011 -2019
Graduated in 1994 from Govt. Medical College, Nagpur, India. Received fellowship training from the Hand Therapy Fellowship program in Houston TX. Ms. Kamal received Certification in Hand Therapy in 2001.

She worked with renowned physicians like Dr. David Lichtman and Dr. Jeffery Budoff. She has been the presenter at Stanford review course, ASHT Ca chapter meetings, and ASHT National conferences 2007, 2008 and at the IFSHT conference in 2010. She was invited to speak at Western Occupational Medicine conference & 2010 Baseball Medicine conference. She has held several full day splinting and taping workshops.
She served as a co-chair in the ASHT’s public relations committee. She was the President of ASHT California Chapter 2010 and 2011. She won the ASHT Chapter Awards 2 years in a row for 2010 and 2011 when she served as the ASHT-Ca Chapter president. She has served as the Conference Chair for Hand Therapy Association of California for the years of 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. She is now a member of ASSET American Association of Shoulder and Elbow therapists, who place a high value on efficacious exemplary patient care. Her poster Wide buddy loop for treatment of index RCL was nominated for best poster award for 2012 ASHT conference. She was the invited speaker at AAHS conference on Neuropathic pain in Arizona.
She was a speaker at ASSET in Oct 2018, AAHS in February 2019 and hosted a panel discussion on Neural Gliding with Dr. Curtin, Dr. Haggert, and Ashim Bakshi in Berlin, Germany in 2019 at the IFSHT meeting and EFSHT in 2022 in Italy
You can view her entire resume below
Saba Kamal
Senior Staff Therapist
Saba is a Certified Hand Therapist and was the American Society of Hand Therapists – California Chapter President for 2010, 2011 and 2018 and recipient of 2010 and 2011 National Chapter awards. She now serves as the Annual Program Chair for the Hand Therapy Association of California conferences.
She is a member of American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists. ASSET is a group of multidisciplinary professionals in the area of shoulder and elbow rehabilitation who place a high value on efficacious exemplary patient care. The membership criterion reflects the expectation of the highest quality research, scholarship and patient care. ASSET membership is by invitation only.
She is also a member of American Association of Hand Surgery (AAHS) She was invited to a round table discussion of Emerging practices in Dupuytrens Disease and has written an article for them on this topic and on Management of Dystonia via Taping. She was invited to speak at the 2018 AAHS conference in Arizona on Neuropathic Pain.In 2019 she is invited to host a panel discussion at the International Federation of Societies of Hand Therapists in Berlin, Germany. She was invited to speak at the American Society of Peripheral Nerves (ASPN) meeting on the latest in modalities when treating nerve injuries in Palm Desert 2019. She presented at the American Society of Surgery of Hand (ASSH) at a panel discussion on wrist fractures in Las Vegas 2019. She presented and chaired the panel on Management of nerve compressions and transfers at the European Federation of Hand Therapists in Rimini, Italy in 2023. Some of the comments of the talk can be reviewed on LinkedIn
Additionally, she is certified by the British Association of Hand Therapists (BAHT) and the European Federation of Societies for Hand Therapy (EFSHT).
She has written a chapter on Reasoning and Critical thinking in Hand and Upper Extremity Rehab for a textbook “Fundamentals of Hand Therapy”
She is the Partner/Principal of Advanced Rehab Seminars, providing specialized continuing education for the Upper Extremity to therapists all over United States of America and Overseas. All the courses taught are from Shoulder to Hand
The talks include
- Manual medicine for the upper quadrant- taking it to the next level, includes joint and soft tissue mobilization
- Sports medicine for the upper quadrant – with splinting and taping
- Paradigm of differential diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the upper quadrant nerve & orthopedic systems
- Comprehensive management of the post-surgical arm
- Comparative taping Leuko and Kinesio for the Upper Quadrant
- Management of the Stiff Arm
- Neural Mobilization of the Upper Quadrant, with Myofascial Mobilization
- A Practical Approach to Solving Complex Upper Extremity Cases

Saba was the Past President California Chapter of ASHT now Hand Therapy Association of CA
She served as the Program Chair for ASHT-Ca Chapter Conferences 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019
She served on the conference committee for ASSET’s national conference 2016. She presented on on Elbow contracture: The broken Kinetic Chain in the Upper Quadrant. She also presented on Brachial Neuritis management – A hierarchical approach to managing complex injuries at the 2018 ASSET conference in Chicago 2018. In 2020 presented on case study comparing Lacertus Vs. Radial Nerve involvement
Conferences organized and talks given at (Conference Chair) From 2011 to 2019 listed below:
1st: Collaborative approach to flexor tendon management
2nd: Elbow – The unforgiving joint: Surgical and therapeutic management
3rd: Keys to the Wrist and the Hand
4th All about nerves
5th The Traumatic Arm
6th Dorsal Dynamics
7th Future of Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery and Therapy
8th Reasoning Made Critical
9th When things go wrong
Her poster presentation include:
Velcro-less splint design for 1st CMC joint arthritis
Wide buddy loop for the treatment of RCL injury to the Index finger
Lateral Epicondylitis Vs. Radial Tunnel – Total Management
In 2022 presented on Tip and tricks in the assessment and treatment of Tremors, Tendonitis and Nerve compressions – Click here for the talk
See what surgeons have to say about Saba and her staff

Dr. Jeffrey Yao: (Stanford) I have worked with Saba Kamal for over a decade and I wholeheartedly trust her and her colleagues at Hands-On-Care with any of my patients who require basic and complex hand therapy techniques. Saba is my “go-to” hand therapist in all of the South Bay!
Dr. Deborah Farynairz: Saba and her staff are nothing short of amazing. They are organized, Compassionate, and on top of their game. Saba is one of the top in her field. She’s intelligent, well read, excellent with “hands-on“ care and a great diagnostician. I trust her with my patients and my own care.
Dr. Jaret Butler (PAMF): Saba and her team have been instrumental in providing care for my patients. For years, they have continued to deliver excellent patient care and help my patients achieve the best possible outcome.

Dr. Gordon Bordy (SOAR): Saba is a superb clinician, devoted to her patients.
Dr. Erick Kagel: Saba is not only able to treat simple injuries but also very complex Upper Extremity injuries and optimize their results.
Dr. Reginald McCoy: (PAMF) I have found Saba to be extraordinarily helpful to my patients, with a professional demeanor and capabilities. She has demonstrated clinical competence of an excellent caliber.
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Articles written include:
- 2020 article: Role of nutrition in Hand Therapy (see below)
- 2020 article on Does Botox for migraine on EDS or hyper-mobility syndrome patients set them up for future problems?
- 2018 article on The Confidence Code” The ingredient therapists lack when discussing patient care with the surgeons (see below)
- 2017 article on “What value do Hand Therapists bring to the Value Based Payment system? And how do we objectify it.” was published in AAHS newsletter
- Wrote an article for the therapist’s corner for AAHS newsletter on Management of Focal dystonia via Taping Dec 2014
- Wrote an article for the therapist’s corner for AAHS newsletter on Dupuytrens management Dec 2011
- Invited to join the round table discussion with top hand surgeons in the country on Dupuytren’s disease by AAHS Dec 2011. Published in AAHS newsletter.
- Published Articles in the Texas Chapter Newsletter on Ring Splint protocol on Zone V Extensor Tendon repair and ECU Subluxation management.
- Contributor to book on Arthritis “Arthritis Rx: A Cutting-Edge Program for a Pain-Free Life” by Dr. V. Vad 2006
She has treated players from various sports teams: Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals, San Jose Sharks, San Jose Giants. Tennis players, JP Fruttero, BMX rider R. Nyquist etc.
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Current Research: Currently seeking candidates for study
- Tremors related to peripheral nerve injuries
Previous research: Medial Elbow Pain: A Result of Shoulder Weakness in Tennis
This research was conducted in conjunction with University of Kentucky health sciences (Kibler’s group)
Ms. Kamal has given several talks at ASHT conference and IFSHT, and taught courses in Italy and India to various groups. For a list of her talk, please contact us at 408-268-8536
Community Service:

Other articles:
- Grade I and II Dynamic Scapho-Lunate Instability Treated with Proprioception Via Dynamic Taping and Neuromuscular control: Click here
- Wide buddy loop splint for the treatment of Radial Collateral Ligament of MP joint of the Index finger: Click here (see below)
- Novel orthotic design for lateral band attenuation
of finger PIP joint – A case report Click here - PIP joint implant subsidence Click Here
Patents: Saba Kamal has a few provisional patents for wrist and hand braces that she is working on.
Linkedin posts
- Non tuberculosis Click here
- Tendon transfer in a piano teacher Click here
- Complex hand trauma with relative motion splint Click here
- Mallet with hypermobility at PIP joint Click here
- Mallet finger – Easy Series Click here
- Scapular Dyskinesis Click here
- Boutonniere deformity Click here
- Radial tunnel syndrome treated with myofascial manipulation and taping Click here
- Toe to thumb transfer click here
- Treating stiff hand and intrinsic tightness Click here
- Lacertus syndrome Vs Carpal tunnel Click here
- Why is therapy needed – An answer to insurance company Click here (see below)
See what surgeons have to say about Saba Kamal and her Staff
To contact Dr. Yao Click here Dr. Lattanza is now the Chief of Orthopedics at Yale, to contact her please click here To contact Dr. Curtin please Click Here Dr. Farynairz is now retired and her position is taken over by Dr. Mehta. To contact Dr. Mehta please Click Here To contact Dr. Butler please…
“Understanding Pain: Types, Causes, and Effective Pain Management Strategies”
Introduction: Understanding Pain: Types, Causes, and Effective Pain Management Strategies Pain is an undeniable part of life. Whether it’s a sharp twinge after a fall, a dull ache from overexertion, or chronic pain that just won’t go away, everyone experiences it in one form or another. But what exactly is pain, and why does it…
Role of Nutrition in Hand and Upper Extremity Rehab
Saba Kamal, OTR, CHT Today’s patient is a well-researched person who prefers a holistic approach and is very conscious of what goes in their body. In the past there were very few patients who would ask me about their diet and what they should consume or avoid to help expedite the healing process. My usual…
Response letter to Insurance
September 19, 2019 Anthem Blue Cross Attn: Enterprise Provider Education PO Box 62756 Virginia Beach Va 23466 PEducationZ4@anthem.com 1-844-405-4294 Re: Claims Review Dear Enterprise Provider Education department: Thank you for your letter dated September 11, 2019, informing us our over usage of procedure code 97110 therapeutic exercises. I hereby in this letter offer you the…
PIP Joint Implant subsidence
Recently I had a young patient with hand trauma which resulted in multiple finger fractures and tendon injuries. After rehab all the fingers did remarkably well except the index which was fused. For a 23 years old autistic artist, this may prove to be challenging in the long run to have to adapt to use…
The Confidence Code
The ingredient therapists lack when discussing patient care with the surgeons Saba Kamal, OTR, CHT. What traits define a successful therapist in outpatient care? The essential elements that allows the therapist to be successful at their job includes knowledge of the anatomy, the injury, the pathology, the procedure performed and its precautions, and the ability…
Wide buddy loop splint for the treatment of Radial Collateral Ligament of MP joint of the Index finger – Case report
Saba Kamal, OTR, CHT Highlights Case reports: 1st case: Pre-Op RCL injury Patient, a pro-tennis player 32 years old, presented with RCL strain grade II on MRI3, secondary to incorrect taping of the wrist, which resulted in incorrect racquet handling, leading to strain of RCL of the index finger. This patient was treated with night…
Novel orthotic design for lateral band attenuation of finger PIP joint
Saba Kamal, OTR, CHT Highlights Case report: Patient presents to the clinic with a diagnosis of trigger finger in the right small finger and a new diagnosis of Parkinson’s. Patient complained that the finger would snap when she tried to bend it in flexion and never locked in flexion. It would just snap back and…
Grade I and II Dynamic Scapho-Lunate Instability Treated withProprioception Via Dynamic Taping and Neuromuscular control
Saba Kamal, OTR, CHT, Samir Sharma, MD, Foram Desai, OTR, Donna Breger Stanton, OTD,OTR/L, FAOTAAbstractStudy Design: Case report.IntroductionOne of the most common injuries to the wrist joint is often associated with “Scapholunate (S-L)dissociation” due to the disruption or weakening of the SL interosseous ligament (SLIL)complex.1 S-L instability can be described as static or dynamic.1 Static…
Tendon Transfer in a Piano Teacher
December 4, 2019 Chronic post-traumatic deformity of the distal radial and distal ulnar, with remodeling of the distal radius with proximal migration of the proximal carpal bones most prominent the lunate, along with chronic dorsal dislocation of the distal ulnar. Severe degeneration of the first CMC joint. Madelung deformity that led to rupture of extensor…
Preventing Opioid abuse with Therapy
December 13, 2020 Pain is the gift nobody wants. To prevent pain, one relies on different means to manage it. Based on the intensity, their coping methods, cultural influences one may choose a method over another. The threat of an injury activates a range of responses in the brain and results in behavioral changes. When…
Non Tuberculosis Mycobacterial Infection Wound care management – Case report
November 8, 2020 This case report provides a unique perspective in managing a wound unlike any other. Patient presented with an open wound at the clinic after surgery. Surgeon informed us that the surgery was done to remove a wart. History: Patient was seen at the primary care to get a wart in the palm…
Complex hand injury managed with Relative motion
July 13, 2019 Young patient presents with lawnmower injury with multiple finger fractures and soft tissue injuries 6 weeks post op Dominant Index finger fracture fused at the PIP joint Middle central slip repair with fracture P1 Ring FDP repair with communited fracture P2 Instructions to start gentle ROM This is what we did Kept…
Avocado hand leading to multiple surgeries
January 30, 2021 Patient presented with Zone 2 FDS/FDP and digital nerve repair of the left index finger. 2 strand repair was performed Patient presented to the clinic in a half cast with wrist and fingers in extension. Patient was performing normal ROM exercises and not taking precautions for flexor tendon Patient was fitted with…
Mallet Finger
January 5, 2019 Mallet finger occurs due to the loss in the continuation of the terminal tendon, the extensor tendon in zone 1 Usually occurs due to and extrinsic injury resulting in the rupture of the tendon. It may be a bony evulsion or a tendon tear Bony evulsion depending on the size can be…
Nerve gliding as an exercise – Does it work?
January 15, 2018 Parts of my presentation from AAHS meeting on Neuropathic Pain Neuropathic pain is associated with CRPS and painful peripheral neuropathies Peripheral Neuropathies are assessed via Upper Limb Tension Test, specific nerve testing via tinels / phalens and Scratch collapse test Nerve gliding in painful neuropathies area done as a routine treatment to…
Jaccouds Arthropathy
2021 Interesting case todayPatient came with a dx /surgery for trigger finger release plus Dupuytrens but it was subluxation of EDC due to saggital band attenuation due to undiagnosed Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) . Her entire family seems to have EDS.Thus, it is so important to dig down in history. She doesn’t show her EDS…
Scapular Dyskinesis
December 22, 2018 In this easy treatment series look at the scapula before treating the shoulder Now stabilize the scapula with a simple scapular retraction test and see the result Here comes the easy fix once you have figured out the reason for pain and lack of shoulder flexion. Besides strengthening of scapular retractors, we…
Toe to Thumb Transfer
August 11,2018.In the patients own words I’ve been waiting to post this as my “hand incident” has been ever-changing since my injury on August 11,2018. Fireworks can be very dangerous. I won’t tell you to avoid them but I will tell you to use extreme caution with them. We were houseboating, celebrating a friend’s birthday…
Got Tremors
Not all tremors start from the brain. See Saba’s work on tremors. Patients develop tremors after trauma, or even repetitive stress injuries. Assessment is key. Schedule an appointment with Saba to see if she can help you. The sooner you seek treatment for your tremors post injury the faster the symptoms can be resolved. Patient…
A therapists journey dealing with hormonal laxity following twin delivery and the pain that followed
Problems encountered Dominance- left Involved side – left Pregnancy – no gestational diabetes Just high blood pressure 36 weeks delivery via cesarean healthy twins weighing 5.9 and 4.11 lbs She lost weight after delivery to 124, before pregnancy her weight was 134+\- lbs She had only gained 15 lbs during the pregnancy with the twins.…
CMC arthritis
Download the brochure to manage Carpometacarpal joint arthritis
CMC splint fabrication details
Living with Hypermobility / EDS
Living with joint hypermobility – a hand therapist’s perspective
Treating Musicians as Athletes
To learn more about this book by the author click here