Hand Rehabilitation Exercises
What are Hand Rehabilitation exercises? Since hands are crucial to the activities of a normal lifestyle, hand injuries and neurological problems affecting hands, can be particularly difficult to navigate. Hand Rehabilitation exercises – designed to improve mobility, strength, and overall functionality in the hand, are classified by physiotherapists as: ➔ Strengthening exercises, to improve muscle strength ➔ Mobility exercises, to increase the hand’s range of motion These exercises are also useful for neurological conditions like stroke, spinal cord injury and other degenerative neurological disorders , chronic illnesses like Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid Arthritis, where joint pain and stiffness become progressively worse. Done correctly, these exercises can enable gross and fine motor skills that are essential for daily activities like picking things up, opening doors, and carrying bags.
Simple Hand Rehabilitation exercises to try Hand Rehabilitation Therapy may focus on either or both of the following: ➔ Restoring strength and mobility ➔ Enhancing functionality
Based on the nature and extent of the injury, one or more of the following exercises may be recommended: 1. Making a fist: Start with the fingers stretched out, make a fist, and then release it 2. Wrist extension: Keep the wrist elevated, rested on a soft edge, and then move the hand fully up and down with the palm facing either upward or downward
Simple Hand Rehabilitation exercises to try 3. Finger lift: Place the hand on a flat surface and individually lift each finger, with 8-12 repetitions 4. Finger stretch: With the hand resting on a flat surface, slowly straighten the fingers and hold the position for a minute, release and repeat 5. Claw grip: With palms facing upward, move the fingers into a claw stance and hold for 30-60 seconds 6. Thumb extension: Move the thumb to the middle of the palm and back, repeat 8-12 times 7. Thumb touch: Hold the hand straight ahead, bring the thumb up to touch each of the other four fingers in the shape of an O, hold the shape for up to 60 seconds, release and repeat 8. Pinching: Pinch a foam ball between the thumb and index finger, hold for a few seconds and release, repeat 10-15 times
Simple Hand Rehabilitation exercises to try 9. Grip strengthening: Squeeze a foam ball with as much strength as possible for about 10-15 rounds 10. Opposition: Place the ball in the palm and bring the thumb towards the little finger and squeeze, repeat this 10-15 times 11. Finger squeeze: Balance the ball between any two fingers and then bring them together, squeeze and hold, repeat 10-15 times 12. Thumb pinch strengthening: Pinch the thumb hard against the side of the index finger and hold for a few seconds 13. Pinch and release: Place a pen or pencil on a flat surface and gently grip it with the fingers – hold, release, and repeat
The best tools for Hand Rehabilitation There are several inexpensive tools that can help build strength and are also easy to use. Some of these tools include: ➔ Hand Therapy balls, across a range of softness depending on the extent of injury ➔ Therapy putty ➔ Finger strengtheners for rebuilding hand muscle ➔ PVC pipe trees to practise fine and gross motor skills ➔ Mirror Therapy, a particularly useful tool for those with hand paralysis Consistency is key – When investing in a tool, pick one that you will be motivated to use every day Despite these exercises being challenging at first, continue practicing, and slowly increase the number of repetitions or the amount of resistance. Over time, you will feel your strength and mobility return.
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