Hand injuries and disorders can make performing your daily activities difficult. Hand problems can be a result of a fracture, sprain, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis or tendinitis. Your doctor or physical therapist may recommend a series of home exercises to help strengthen and increase the range of motion in your hand following injury or to treat a hand disorder. Always obtain your physician's approval before beginning hand exercises.
Tennis Ball Grip
Use a tennis ball to strengthen your griping ability. Place the ball in the palm of your hand, close your fingers around the ball and firmly grip it as tightly as you comfortably can. Repeat one set of 10 repetitions. Complete another set of 10 repetitions using your opposite hand if you have hand problems in both hands. Alternatively, use a stress ball or bean bag instead of a tennis ball.
Athletic Gripping
Athletic grippers can build your ability to better grasp objects following a hand injury. Place the grippers in your hand and grasp them as tightly as possible. Repeat one set of 10 repetitions for each hand, if applicable. When buying grippers, invest in a good pair. Many athletic grippers are not strong enough to help rehabilitate your hand.
Walking With Weights
Hold a set of 2- to 3-lb. dumbbells while walking. This increases hand and wrist strength, as well as your ability to grasp objects. Take a 10- to 20-minute walk each day holding weights in your hands.
Wrist Circles
Wrist circles improve strength and range of motion in the top of your hand and at your wrist. Make a fist with your hand. Roll your wrist clockwise in a circle 10 times. Repeat in a counterclockwise direction.
Object Pick Up
This exercise improves strength and flexibility in your fingers. Place numerous small objects on a table -- for example, pins, coins and buttons. Use your thumb and one other finger to pick each object up. Continue this exercise using each of your fingers. Do this for five minutes at a time, three times per day.
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