Strokes occur when the blood supply to the brain is blocked by a clot or a blood vessel bursts in the brain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A stroke can be disabling to your hand or other areas of the body. The severity of your disability will depend on the location and size of damage to the brain, according to International Health Resources.
Range of Motion
After a stroke, you may lose all ability to use your hand. If you're unable to exercise your hand on your own, use your unaffected hand or have another person move your fingers and hand in up-and-down and circular motions. This keeps your muscles and tendons flexible while also maintaining efficient blood flow, according to International Health Resources. Once some voluntary movement returns, start moving your hand and fingers without assistance repeatedly throughout the day. Consciously think about moving your fingers one at a time, according to the American Stroke Association.
Motor Skill Development
Fine motor skills are precise movements that typically involve use of the fingers and require coordination. Writing and picking up small objects with your thumb and index finger are examples of fine motor skills, so practicing these skills can help you regain these abilities. According to the American Stroke Association, putting pegs in a pegboard and then taking the pegs out is effective fine motor skill practice.
Strengthening
Squeezing a rubber ball or a stress relief ball regularly can improve the muscle strength in your hand. Another strength exercise is to place the palm of your hand downward on a flat surface, such as a table, floor or mattress. Press your palm into the surface focusing on using your hand muscles instead of your arm. Relax your hand and then press down with your fingers. A rubber band can be used for resistance while exercising your fingers. With your hand still facing downward on a flat surface, insert your finger into the center of a rubber band so the band is resting approximately half an inch from the tip of your finger. With your unaffected hand, pull the rubber band back. Lift your affected finger up and down so you can feel the tension from the rubber band. Fan out your fingers every day, as often as possible.
Constraint-Induced Therapy
Constraint-induced therapy is also known as forced-use therapy because you are forcing yourself to discontinue the use of your unaffected hand in exchange for using the affected hand, according to MayoClinic.com. This can be a frustrating approach, but the more you use your affected hand, the sooner you will regain its full abilities.
Considerations
While rehabilitating your hand after a stroke, there is no set number of exercises to complete during the day. Instead, making rehabilitation a regular part of your daily routine and completing these exercises as often as possible will give you the most benefit. Repetition is the key to success while regaining use of your hand. If you experience pain while exercising your hand or something doesn't feel right, contact your physical or occupational therapist for assistance.
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