Arthritis refers to joint inflammation. It can be a
very painful condition. Hand arthritis is particularly difficult to manage, but
certain exercises can help reduce pain and stiffness.
Hand exercises can reduce pain, stiffness, and
swelling while improving joint flexibility.
The key is to do the exercises regularly. Also,
developing a routine will help maintain that consistency.
While doing these exercises, be sure to move
slowly, breathe deeply, and stop if there is any tension or pain. Also, check
with a healthcare professional or physical therapist for the best routine.
Here are some recommended exercises for hand
arthritis:
1. Hand clench
1) Begin by straightening
the fingers out.
2) Slowly bend the
hand into a fist.
3) Keep the thumb on
the outside of the hand.
4) Hold this position
for a couple of seconds, then repeat.
5) Do around 10 reps
once per day. People can do so more regularly if the exercise is comfortable
and pain-free.
2. Thumb and finger lift
1) Place the hands on a table, palm down and body-width apart.
2) Begin by lifting the thumbs off the table as far as is comfortable and holding for 5 seconds, then rest.
3) Repeat with the index finger, then the following fingers in turn.
4) While one finger is raised, make sure that the others remain flat.
5) Complete 10 sets around twice per day.
3. Thumb stretch
1) Looking at the
palm of the hand, relax the fingers into a neutral position.
2) Bend the thumb
across the palm, touching the bottom of the small finger. If this is difficult,
just stretch as far as possible.
3) Repeat multiple
times with each hand.
4. Finger and thumb touch
1) From the same
position as the thumb stretch, bring the tip of the thumb together with the tip
of each finger one by one.
2) Complete 10 sets
twice per day on each hand.
5. Side-to-side wrist bend
1) Place the forearm
flat on a table, with the palms of the hands facing down.
2) Bend the wrist as
far as possible to the left, hold for 2 seconds, then bend the wrist back to
the center.
3) Repeat this
movement to the right, hold for 2 seconds, then move back to the center. This
is one set.
4) Complete 10 sets
twice per day on each hand.
6. Finger curl
1) Hold the hand up
with the fingers straight and close together.
2) Bend the end and
middle joints of fingers tightly until the fingertips touch the skin on the
hand.
3) Slowly return the
fingers to a vertical position.
4) Repeat the finger
curl 10 times twice per day.
7. Ball exercises
Many exercises work well with a stress ball, soft
ball, or tennis ball. They help increase flexibility and improve strength.
Such exercises include:
Squeeze a stress ball in the hand as hard as possible.
Release after a few seconds.
Repeat 10–15 times on each hand.
Place a stress ball between the palms, with the
forearms in a vertical position.
Press and hold for 3–5 seconds, then release.
Repeat 10 times.
Place a stress ball between the tip of a finger and
the thumb.
Press and hold for 3–5 seconds, then rest.
Repeat 10 times with each finger, rest for 1 minute,
then do the same with the other hand.
Roll a stress ball from the palm up to each thumb and
finger individually, gently stretching each digit.
Roll the ball back down to the palm.
Repeat.
8. Soft hand massage
To perform a soft hand massage, massage the palm
with the opposite thumb using short strokes. Also, massage the fingers starting
at the tips, then pushing down toward the palms.
Always remember to be gentle with each exercise and
stop if they become painful.
Other treatments
Hand exercises are not the only option to relieve
pain and increase mobility in osteoarthritis. In fact, there are a wide range
of other treatment options available.
Findings from a 2019 study revealed that
prescription prednisolone, which is a steroid, can be an effective treatment
for inflammation.
Another effective steroid treatment includes
injections of cortisone. This is a powerful anti-inflammatory, and it can
relieve symptoms for several weeks at a time.
If a person is looking for OTC treatments for
relief, one 2010 review states that ibuprofen is effective at relieving pain
and inflammatory symptoms in many types of arthritis.
However, it is important to speak with a healthcare
professional before using any medication to help manage arthritis symptoms.
Protective splints
Using a protective splint can reduce strain on the
joints.
Resting splints can help alleviate pain in
arthritic hands. They support the joints and allow those in the hand to rest.
They also help reduce inflammation.
Heat and cold therapy
Heat and cold therapy can alleviate pain in
arthritic hands.
When using a heat pad, apply the heat two to three
times per day for 20–30 minutes. Paraffin wax provides moist heat, which can
also be effective in reducing pain.
When using a cold pack, hold it against the hand
for 10–20 minutes at a time, with a towel or pillowcase between the skin and
the cold pack.
In severe cases of arthritis, particularly in the
fingers, a doctor may recommend surgery. However, they would explore all other
treatment options first.
Hand arthritis can have a major impact on
day-to-day life, so it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible.
Although medication is an option, doctors tend to recommend a hand exercise
routine.
Eating a healthful diet and making positive
lifestyle choices will help prevent the onset of some types of arthritis.
About PUSM
Shenyang Pusman Medical Equipment Co., Ltd. was established in 2006. It is a
professional enterprise integrating R & D, manufacturing and sales. It
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