Hand Exercises For Patients Having Tremors

Tremors, uncontrollable and unintentional shaking of body parts, occur for a variety of reasons including stress, disease, injury, heredity, alcohol use and/or medications. Hand tremors, the most common form of tremor, can occur in otherwise healthy individuals. Exercises that concentrate on strengthening and stretching hand muscles can reduce symptoms. Check with your doctor first, since not all exercises may be for you.

Improve Grip

Hand exercises for patients having tremors need to concentrate on strengthening the finger and hand muscles in order to properly grip items. Everyone having tremors can benefit from a stronger grip. Some patients may require special utensils in order to perform everyday activities such as gripping eating utensils due to poor muscle coordination and/or grip, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Work on improving grip functioning by using a towel as an exercise tool. Place a rolled-up towel into the patient's right hand. Instruct the patient to squeeze the towel as tightly as possible without causing undue pain. Hold the tension for 10 seconds. Release the tension and relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times. Do the exercise again with the left hand.

Utilize Hand Weights

Strengthening hand muscles plays an essential role in reducing tremors, according to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation. Some patients may benefit from lifting light hand weights. Start with the patient sitting upright in a firm chair with armrests. Have the patient place his right forearm on the right armrest, palm facing upward and wrist hanging freely over the side. Place a 1-lb. weight into the patient's right hand. Instruct him to bend the wrist to slowly lift the weight toward the ceiling without moving the elbow or lifting the arm from the chair. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Slowly return to original position and relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times. Have the patient do the exercise again using the left hand.

Promote Rubber Band Versatility

Hand exercises for patients with tremors can put rubber bands to therapeutic use. Rubber bands can be used as resistance training tools to strengthen hand muscles. Place a medium-thickness rubber band around the first knuckle of each of the patient's fingers. Instruct the patient to separate all fingers and stretch the rubber band as far as possible. Count to 10 to hold this stretch. Have the patient slowly return the hand to the original position. Relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times. Do the exercise again using the left hand.

Promote Hands-On Guidance

Exercising plays a key role in reducing symptoms of tremors caused by Parkinson's disease by keeping muscles flexible and strong, according to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation. Providing hands-on guidance by demonstrating maneuvers helps individuals having tremors stay motivated, stay with the exercise program and lower risks of injury. Start including some finger opposition maneuvers in your hand exercises for patients having tremors program. Demonstrate the maneuver by touching your thumb to each finger individually, holding for five seconds per finger. Return your hand to the original position. Relax for 10 seconds. Have the patient perform the exercise. Repeat this exercise three times. Do the exercise again using your left hand and fingers.