About this topic
Your doctor may want you to do hand and finger exercises for many reasons like: � �
- Increase blood flow to nerves, muscles, and joints in your hand
- Ease joint stiffness in your hand
- Help you heal faster after injury or surgery
- Help make your daily activities easier to do
General
Before starting with a program, ask your doctor if you are healthy enough to do these exercises. Your doctor may have you work with a trainer or physical therapist to make a safe exercise program to meet your needs. � �
Strengthening Exercises � �
Strengthening exercises keep your muscles firm and strong. Sit while doing these exercises. Be sure to use good posture. Start by repeating each exercise 5 times. Try to do the exercises 2 to 3 times each day. Work up to doing each exercise 10 times. Do all exercises slowly. � �
- Tendon gliding using 4 positions � � � Start by holding your hand with your fingers straight. Then, bend only the last two joints of your fingers and move your fingers into a hook or claw position. Next, straighten your fingers and bend your knuckles to make a flat table top position. This is also be called the duckbill position. Last, make a full fist. Moving your hand into all 4 positions is one exercise.
- Finger and thumb bending and straightening � � � Open your hand as far as you can. Spread your thumb away from the rest of your hand. Close your hand into a fist. Try to touch the tip of your thumb to the bottom of your small finger. Repeat.
- Finger side-to-side � � � Start with your hand straight and your fingers together. Spread your fingers as far apart as possible. Then, return to starting position.
- Blocking � � � Lay your sore hand on the table with the palm facing up. Use the first finger of your other hand as the blocking finger. Place the tip of the blocking finger on the middle section of your finger. Now, bend and straighten just the tip of your finger. Move your blocking finger a little closer to your palm and just bend and straighten your middle joint in your finger.
- Thumb finger touches � � � Touch the tip of your thumb to the tip of your index finger, making an "o. " � Touch the tip of your thumb to the tip of your middle finger. Touch the tip of your thumb to the tip of your ring finger. Finally, touch the tip of your thumb to the tip of your small finger. Touching each finger to your thumb is one exercise.
- Thumb circles � � � Hold your hand on its side with the thumb up. Move your thumb in a circle as wide as you can. Now, make a circle going the other way.
View OriginalView Original
View OriginalView Original
View OriginalView Original
View OriginalView Original
View OriginalView Original
View OriginalView Original
What will the results be?
- Ease hand pain
- Increase blood flow to help healing
- Keep muscles and joints strong and flexible
When do I need to call the doctor?
- New pain
- More numbness and tingling in your hand
- You are feeling worse
Helpful tips
- Stay active and work out to keep your muscles strong and flexible.
- Be sure you do not hold your breath when exercising. This can raise your blood pressure. If you tend to hold your breath, try counting out loud when exercising. If any exercise bothers you, stop right away.
- Doing the exercises before each meal may be a good way to get into a routine.
- Exercise may be slightly uncomfortable, but you should not have sharp pains. If you do get sharp pains, stop what you are doing. If the sharp pains continue, call your doctor.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. � �
Copyright
Copyright � � 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. � �