A pinched nerve in the hand and fingers is often caused by carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis. As a result, treating the condition can range from rest to intense finger and hand exercises. Hand and finger exercises can help improve range of motion in your hands and wrists as well as reduce inflammation in the region. Consult your doctor to get a proper diagnosis on your current condition.
Forward Wrist Stretch
This wrist stretch will improve circulation in your hands and fingers as well as range of motion in your wrists. Stand up straight with your knees slightly bent and arms extended out in front of you. Bring your hands and fingers up, feeling a stretch in your wrist, until your hands are perpendicular with the ground. Hold this stretch for a count of five seconds before slowly lowering your hands back down. Repeat this exercise until you are fatigued.
Median Nerve Glide
This exercise will stretch out your median nerve, indirectly reducing pain in your joints and fingers. Stand up straight with your arms at your sides. Take your right arm and bring it behind your back. Grab your right wrist with your left hand and pull up toward your shoulders. Hold this stretch for a count of 10 seconds, bringing the arm up slightly while holding. Slowly bring the arm down and repeat until you are fatigued, then switch sides.
Finger Extensions
This exercise will improve mobility in your fingers and hands. Sit down in a chair with your feet flat on the floor and your arms at your sides. From here, extend your wrists out and away from your body. Extend your fingers out and hold for a second before making fists with both hands. Repeat this extension and contraction 10 times or until you feel fatigued. As you improve, increase the speed with which you extend and contract your fingers.
Thumb Stretch
This thumb exercise will increase mobility in your thumb as well as your hand. Stand up straight with your knees slightly bent and arms at your sides. From here, bend your right arm at the elbow, extend your forearm out so that it is parallel with the ground. Spread your fingers out wide, using your left hand to move your right thumb into a hitchhiking position. Hold for several seconds before relaxing. Repeat until fatigued, then switch sides.
