Hand Therapy Exceptional! My Doc’s, here in Las Cruces & El Paso, recommended Laura Visanko for Pre and Post hand surgery therapy claiming she was the absolute BEST! So true! Laura’s therapy involved a more holistic approach; improving my range of motion, rebuilding muscles, pain control, teaching good mechanics, improving scar tissues issues and stressing continued use of home exercises/stretching. Surgery recovery is not easy but Good therapy so crucial in return to full healing! Once again….Laura is the BEST! Mary Ann Westberg

I met Laura when I was diagnosed with CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome) in my right hand. The Doctor treating me at the time said that she was the best and the only person he trusted to help me in my dire condition. He was right, she is the best! To say that Laura was just a hand therapist to me is an understatement. Laura knew exactly how crucial it was that she create a personalized treatment plan for me that would get me back to my pre injury life as soon as possible. I couldn’t stand to look at my hand, it was discolored, swollen, my fingers had curled into a fist, and it was extremely painful to touch. I wanted it amputated. Time was of the essence in my healing. It was a challenge, but for at least 9 months, 3 days a week Laura guided me through one of the most painful, both physically and emotionally times in my life. It was tough, but she never made me feel like I was alone. She cheered me on at every milestone and reevaluated my treatment as needed. She truly cared! She pushed me when I thought I couldn’t do more, she listened when I cried and helped me heal both physically and mentally. She incorporated exercises that made me feel like the Karate Kid, you know like, “wax on, wax off”… but before I knew it, I started creating muscle memory and little by little I started to use my right hand more and more. I learned to write again, button my clothes, and before I knew it, all the things that I took for granted were coming back. The pain had subsided too! Until this day, when I look back, I can honestly say that Laura along with a few others were part of a treatment team that saved my life. I am forever grateful to Laura for helping me get back to my life! She will always be my #1 choice if I ever need any kind of hand therapy again. Sandra

My name is Linda Trainer-Miller. I was referred to Laura for hand therapy several years ago after falling on the Pickleball court in Mexico and fracturing 3 fingers on my right hand. I was told by Orthopedists locally if I chose not to have surgery, I would never be able to fully close my hand again and would probably develop some arthritis. I chose to work with Laura. Her skills and expertise and my hard work in conjunction with her plan worked amazingly. After about 3 months of therapy, I am happy to report, I am able to make a full fist without pain and no signs of arthritis. I would strongly recommend Laura if anyone needs a hand therapist. Linda

Laura was referred to me by my Surgeon and she has been treating my elbow and hand after surgery. Laura is a very good OT she has the knowledge and right attitude to treat patients with pain trauma and inflammation, during the treatment session she stays with you and makes you involved and focus. My Surgeon and I are pleased and satisfied with Laura's professional and caring attitude. My pain level has gone down from a 7 to a 3 Thank you Laura for all you do.

I came to Laura with numbness and weakness in my right arm. This was a huge concern for me because I am a dental hygienist. I've been practicing for about 14 years. Laura was able to pinpoint the issue immediately. She was able to guide me through the exercises and equipment I would need to promote healing. She also gave me pointers on preventative measures for my hands. Laura was extremely knowledgeable and very understanding. Besides guiding me through exercises, she was able to put my mind at ease. I can't thank her enough for the wonderful care and attention she provided to me. Victoria

I recently finished 10 weeks of hand therapy with Laura Visanko at Millennium. Laura has treated me twice before when she was with another company, both times for therapy to recover from Arthroscopic Surgery. A few months ago, I was considering surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I asked my family doctor if she thought therapy might be an alternative for surgery. She thought I was a good candidate for a therapeutic recovery and sent me to Laura (at my request). I spent 10 weeks with Laura, 2 sessions per week. After 10 weeks, my symptoms were reduced to about 10% of their original level. I continued the home program Laura designed for me after I was discharged. 45 days after discharge, I am 100% recovered. I met my goal of avoiding surgery. I recommend Laura highly! I have been her patient 3 times over the last 10 years and I would not use another hand therapist. If you have hand problems, ask your physician for a referral to Laura. She is the best. Joe Short

There is a local refrain that we do not have good medical care in our community, but there are some exceptional medical providers here and it is important that we freely spread the word about them in an effort to keep them here to care for us. Laura Visanko is one of those wonderful providers. I say that with no exceptions. Arthritic hands run in my family and I had abused my hands for years with typing, gardening and beading and they hurt. I had trigger fingers, and swollen and frozen joints. After seeking treatment from several doctors and wanting to avoid surgery, I found Laura and experienced her incredible care. She is smart, hard working, efficient, effectual, punctual and particular about her care. She really wants her clients to get well. Her treatment left me with far less pain and much more functionality. After she helped me reduce the pain and inflammation, she taught me lifestyle changes to keep my hands healthy. I know some of her patients that went to her after hand surgeries and they all feel that she played a significant part in their successful recovery. Other medical professionals sing her praises. Laura is the best!! Marci Beyer

Professional recommendation: My name is Roland Miller. A few years ago a word-class hand surgeon performed joint replacement on my hand. When he wrote the therapy referral, it wasn’t a suggestion. He told me that Laura was the best in the business. He was right. Laura not only possessed the necessary technical skills, but even more importantly, the professional attitude, patience with my progress and compassion. These are attributes that can’t be taught in any school. Thanks to Laura, I not only made a swift recovery, but I also have full range of motion of my hand. I highly recommend this wonderful healthcare professional.

I had the opportunity to work with the best occupational therapist ever, Laura Visanko. She helped me address my ongoing neck, elbow, and hand pain, and the experience has been incredibly valuable. Laura conducted a thorough activity and lifestyle analysis, taking the time to understand my daily routines, work habits, and physical activities. This holistic approach allowed us to pinpoint the activities that might be contributing to my discomfort. One of the key aspects of our sessions was the in-depth review of my workstation setup. Laura took the time to identify several areas that could be contributing to my neck strain, such as poor screen height, improper chair ergonomics, and a lack of regular movement. Together, we made small yet meaningful adjustments to my workspace, ensuring my posture was supported throughout the workday. Simple changes like adjusting the monitor height and ensuring my chair provided better support made a noticeable difference. She also got me moving more than I ever did during a regular workday by introducing me to a series of exercises aimed at improving my neck mobility and alleviating discomfort. These exercises included nerve gliding techniques, which help to relieve tension and promote proper nerve function, as well as postural re-education exercises to retrain my body to maintain better posture throughout the day. The exercises were easy to incorporate into my daily routine and have made a significant impact on reducing my neck and arm pain. Thanks to the professional I received from Laura, I now feel much more equipped to manage my neck pain. I can't say enough great things about Laura and her approach to healing. I highly recommend occupational therapy with her to anyone dealing with similar discomfort, and it not only addresses the symptoms but also helps make lasting changes that improve overall well-being and work-life balance. Vanessa V

Laura has been a huge blessing to me. I honestly couldn't imagine where I would be if it wasn't for her knowledge of hand therapy. Right way after spending just a few sessions with her made a huge turnaround. Right away, she had me starting with manual techniques, it has been most effective. Laura is very hands on with her patients, and not only is she knowledgeable, she gives you techniques to do at home. The qualify of care is worth the recovery of the journey. Priscilla Scarbrough.

I Laura is amazing! I heard about her from another patient at a PT rehab I stayed in. She got my right hand working again so I could play Pickleball. If you are willing to do the work you will get better. I still go to Laura to get a custom finger splint made for a pinky trigger finger that locks. I used to order them online but there is no comparison in how well her custom ones feel, work and last. Warren Plante

In May of 2023 I was in an accident where I almost lost my arm. My forearm was broken, my radial artery was severed and the median nerve was badly damaged. I had a skin graft a month after the accident. My hand was immobilized for 11 weeks. My surgeon Dr. Diamond, strongly recommended that I have therapy with Laura. I started seeing her 4 weeks after the accident and continued to see her for a year....3 times a week for 2 hours at a time. It was a long painful process leaving me in tears many times. But Laura never let up and kept pushing me. I am very grateful to her for being "mean" and not letting me slack off! I credit her with giving me mobility back to my hand. If ever I need therapy again, I hope she is still working! RoseMarie Levasseur