Arthritis is a degenerative disease that affects mobility and functioning of joints throughout the body, including the thumbs. Range of motion exercises help to restore joint flexibility, making performing daily tasks such as holding utensils or lifting items easier. Not all exercises will work for you, so consult with your doctor before starting any new maneuvers.
Benefit From Water
Exercising in water, known as aqua or hydro therapy, provides many benefits to individuals afflicted with arthritis. Water increases joint mobility by counteracting the effects of gravity, reducing joint stress and lowering pain levels due to its natural buoyancy properties. Exercising in warm water, in particular, naturally relaxes muscles and proves beneficial for individuals afflicted with arthritis, according to the University of Washington Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Department. Get into chest-deep water to do some circumduction range of motion exercises for thumb arthritis that involve circles. Gently lift your right hand in front of you and bend your elbow to a 90-degree angle. Turn your palm so it faces your body. Slowly begin making circles with your thumb. Make five circles. Return your thumb to the original position and relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times. Do the exercise again using your left hand.
Include Curls
Range of motion exercises for thumb arthritis can increase flexibility of all fingers while also restoring thumb mobility. Work on improving your finger extension and flexion capabilities while on land or in water. Lift your right arm and bend your elbow to a 90-degree angle. Turn your palm facing your body and keep your elbow at your side. Gently bring all fingers toward your palm. Hold this stretch for 10 seconds. Slowly return your fingers to the original position. Relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times.
Enhance Outward Movement
Range of motion exercises for thumb arthritis need to work on gently increasing your thumb's extension capabilities in order to restore full functioning capabilities. Start gently stretching your thumb by using your opposite hand as an exercise tool, according to the online physical therapy site of Hep2go. Lift your left hand in front of you while gently bending your elbow. Take your right hand and place the fingers over your left thumb. Gently use your right hand to stretch and straighten your left thumb away from the palm. Hold this stretch for 10 seconds. Slowly return to the original position. Relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times. Do the exercise again on your right thumb.
Counteract Joint Stiffness
Arthritis can cause thumb joints to take on a deformed appearance and become more bent and stiffer. Some range of motion exercises for thumb arthritis can gently stretch out these compromised muscles. Start doing some extension stretches to straighten your thumb's first joint, the joint closest to the tip of your thumb. Hold your right hand so the palm faces your body without bending your wrist. Place your left index and second fingers on the outside of your right thumb, between the two joints, according to Hep2go. Place your left thumb onto the top of your right thumb. Gently use your left thumb to push on your right thumb and straighten the first joint. Hold this stretch for 10 seconds. Slowly return to the original position. Relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times. Do the exercise again stretching your left thumb.
