Did you realize that your hands need exercise just like the rest of your body? Hand exercises can help strengthen your hands and maintain flexibility and range of motion. Here are five hand exercises you can do:
1. Wrist extension and flexion
• Place your forearm on a table on a rolled-up towel for padding with your hand hanging off the edge of the table, palm down.
• Move the hand upward until you feel a gentle stretch.
• Return to the starting position.
• Repeat the same motions with the elbow bent at your side, palm facing up.
2. Wrist supination/pronation
• Stand or sit with your arm at your side with the elbow bent to 90 degrees, palm facing down.
• Rotate your forearm, so that your palm faces up and then down.
3. Wrist ulnar/radial deviation
• Support your forearm on a table on a rolled-up towel for padding or on your knee, thumb upward.
• Move the wrist up and down through its full range of motion.
4. Thumb flexion/extension
• Begin with your thumb positioned outward.
• Move the thumb across the palm and back to the starting position.
5. Fan and Fist.
• Start with the fingers extended straight out.
• Make a hook fist; return to a straight hand.
• Make a full fist; return to a straight hand.
• Make a straight fist; return to a straight hand.
Follow our Facebook and Twitter accounts for videos of these exercises in the coming days.
Please check with your doctor before starting any new exercise plan.
Information found in this post comes from Harvard Health Publications.