Hand Exercises for Arthritic Patients

Arthritis is a painful disease and affects the bodily movements as well. It is a progressively degenerative disease where the full movement of the limb involved can be restored with great difficulty. However, you can try out a number of exercises in order to restore the mobility of your hand, in case you are affected by arthritis of the hand.

Active Exercises- If you have the ability to move your hands, it is best to perform the exercises yourself. The target of the entire exercise should be moving the joints of the hands starting from the wrist and ending with each finger joint. The first thing you need to do is to clasp your hands together while keeping the fingers interlocked.

Place the thumb of the afflicted hand on top and slowly twist your hands. You need to bend your wrist in both left as well as right directions. Then you should try to extend it outwards and bring it back inwards. Remember to start slowly and stop if you experience any pain. Fingers of each hand should be curled and uncurled repeatedly for some time. Pushing your thumb away from the other fingers and slowly bringing it back to touch your pinkie should provide enough exercise to your thumb joint.

Passive Exercises- If your hand has become completely stiff and immobile; it is time to get some help. A sympathetic friend or family member can help you in exercising your hand. It is mandatory that the assistant has a clear understanding of the purpose and procedure of each exercise. The same exercises that you can do in an active state must now be performed by your assistant on your hand. It is important that the muscle or joint should not be pushed beyond their limit. You need to discontinue instantly if you feel uncomfortable or experience any pain.