Gentle Hand Exercises for People Living with Arthritis

Gentle Hand Exercises for People Living with Arthritis

Movement might be the last thing you feel like doing when your hands ache, but appropriate, gentle exercise is one of the most recommended ways to maintain flexibility and reduce stiffness over time.

A simple fist stretch, slowly closing your hand into a loose fist and then fully opening your fingers, can help maintain range of motion when repeated a few times a day. Finger bends, where you curl each finger down toward the palm one at a time, help keep individual joints mobile. Thumb touches, gently touching your thumb to the tip of each finger, support fine motor coordination that arthritis can otherwise limit.

Wrist stretches, holding one arm out and gently pulling the fingers back and then down, help release tension that builds up around the wrist joint. These exercises are typically most comfortable when the hands are already warm, which is why many people pair them with a short heat session, such as a few minutes with the ThermaHands™ glove, beforehand.

Always move within a pain-free range, stop if you feel sharp pain, and check with a physical therapist or doctor before starting a new exercise routine, especially during an active flare-up.