WEBCAM PHYSICAL THERAPY MyPT4Health.com. Exercises for anyone wanting to increase functional strength in hands/ fingers - musicians, artists; carpal tunnel, arthritis. Go to MYPT4HEALTH for one on one personalized program.
I’ve watched the video for the first time today. I’m very excited to start the new exercises! I have been dealing with the side effects from a brain tumor which is a result of (metastasis) lung cancer. Although I had OT AND PT during radiation, there was nothing as specific as what you have given me here. I had beautiful handwriting and could type 120 words per minute. I’m so frustrated!!! I’ll be patient and consistent with the new tools you have given me. I’ll also keep you up to date with my progress. I think that will help others who have not had a full blown stroke. Thank you for the excellent video. 💜
Very good demonstration. I'm starting a program to build strength in my hand because of an infection I developed in one of my finger joint. Now that I had surgery and am getting better, I now have to build strength in my hand. In addition, as I have gotten older, I've progressively lost strength in both my hands. I struggle opening up jars and such which used to be a lot easier when I was younger. So, it's probably a good Idea to be doing these exercises on a regular basis anyway regardless of my injury.
Yes. Any and all exercises will improve the many small muscles in the hand. Patience and consistency with performance of the exercise will gain you more strength and coordination over time. Good Job! Nina
If you want true professional hand/finger recommendations, seek occupational therapy and those therapists who focus on hand therapy. PT's usually focus on larger gross movements and lower extremity. Not saying she's inaccurate but it could be more professional advice.
PTs work on any physiological movements, large joint or small joint whatever it is. Kindly don't claim your advice as professional when you don't have an idea about the scope of a PT.
Great series of exercises! I bought medium (green) theraputty and have been doing these for about a week. I find I can do 10 reps if I rest in between as recommended. Also, I do them every other day to give my hands a rest. That also helps mentally as it keeps me more motivated than knowing I have to do them EVERY day. Thanks, mypt4health!
i work for ups and am constantly lifting and using my hands and recently my fingers have been very sore and weak and im wondering how often can i do these excercises to get my fingers back feeling good again. is it ok to do these everyday? or should it be every other day?
i broken my predominant hand which is my right hand I am out of the cast by 8 weeks now and my hand is not the same it is stiff numb,i am happy to come across your hand exercises video I have started today and I can not bring my pinky finger to the bottom of my hand I can hardly move it so I hope and pray that these exercise will get my hand back if you have any more advice please let me know and thank you for your video
Thank you for your comments. In addition to slowly progressing with the exercises, I recommend that before exercising you warm the hand using a warm, moist towel for 8-10 minutes to increase the blood flow to the area. The exercises are to be done up to but not into the range of pain. Remember, stretching takes patience. If you do the exercises faithfully, the range and strength can return. Use you left hand (uninjured one)as a guide to what is your normal range and strength. Also, think of "returning to function" rather than major increase in strength as these are small muscles. Returning to function as in being able to grip, pinch, press, push; open jars, button, zip, comb, etc. you get the picture. Good luck and finally, if your hand hurts after exercising, ice it! Nina
Thanks for the video and additional comments. So do you propose focusing on the injured hand only until its "returned to function" and then switching to both hands or do you propose doing these exercises on both hands from the start?
Both hands from the start. This is because your strong hand will improve the strength and dexterity in the weaker one via the neuro-pathways of the brain. This technique is used frequently in stroke recovery for the same reason!
This reply is to Baskar. Unfortunately, I can not see to be able to access your entire comment nor reply to you directly. Please use the following email to contact me. ninaangelaPT@yahoo.com I will be more than glad to assist you. Nina
I met in an accident in December, I got a chipped bone. My middle finger joint is moving but it not bending. I know I need to give it time to heal because of the joint and the chipped bone. I was doing some therapy but my finger swells up. Could you please tell me what to do to get my finger move as before?
Hi Nina. Sorry to be a nuisance in keep bothering you, but I have two questions. Exercise two the finger/thumb press - do I repeat the exercise 10 times with each finger? Also, I find this very easy, is there any benefit to me doing this exercise if it is easy?? Many thanks Mike
Yes, each finger a minimum of 10 times and if it is too easy, increase repetitions up to 30. Once you are able to do 30 and it is still easy, then you no longer need that particular exercise. At that point, the ultimate exercise is the actual activity that you are trying to master. Anyone interested in improving and getting stronger, is NOt a nuisance. Also , if I delay in responding in a timely manner it is due to how busy my patient schedule is. Thanks, Nina
Well done & thank you. I have been looking for a long time for this type of video that had references to helping musicians. I've been a classical guitarist for 47 years and due to a stroke two years ago was no longer able to play. My left hand,(fretting hand), being the problem. I have since recovered some of the ability to play guitar but there is an obvious weakness in the fingers, which this video appears to address. So I will do everything you suggest and hopefully the strength will return. One question - how long will it be before I start seeing, (or in my case feeling), results?? Thank you
Dear Mike, even with your stroke being 2 years ago, you are on the right path to seeing improvement. First, as you know, the damage is in the brain causing an interruption in the ability of the brain (via nerves) to tell the fingers (muscles in the fingers) what to do. So, essentially you need to create new neural (nerve) pathways. Good news is that the brain is an amazing organ and has the capacity to do just this. How? By doing exercises regularly, you put a demand on the brain to improve this brain - hand; nerve-muscle connection. Visualize the fingers working the frets before you actually touch the guitar as well as when you are actually doing the movement - simple pressing down on the strings - is effective. It is important to use visual cortex of your brain by looking at what you are doing as you do it. Patience is essential as improvement can seem slow, but you have nothing to lose by giving this task priority every day. The exercises above are considered "Gross motor" or those that strengthen less refined movements. In addition you should work the fine motor as well. gross motor = grab and lift a cup. Fine motor = typing on a computer or writing. If you have access to either a PT or OT (occupational therapist) they can give you more therapeutic exercises or tasks to add to your routine. You can also google post-stroke hand exercises. Finally, positive thoughts, positive self- affirmations are what your brain will hear. If you say "I can't then, you can't! I personally believe that you can. Thanks, Nina
Nina, thank so much for that wonderful informative reply. I certainly will try the visualising. My recovery has been miraculous. I couldn't walk for two months and now walk 4 - 6 miles a day. My guitaring was non-existent for 5 months - couldn't even hold a note down on the guitar. As said previously, I now can play guitar to what I call above beginner and just below intermediate. So progress has been made. I can still manage a 5 fret stretch. However, weakness in the fingers is probably the biggest problem, as it is difficult to hold certain chord shapes that require strength and, therefore, the need to perform muscle strengthening exercises. I shall set aside an hour a day to do everything that you say from the warming of the hands onward, with patience and an affirmation that I can achieve this. Once again thank you for your time and it was a pleasure to receive the reply. All the very best. Mike
Excellent. Your present recovery and it's success is evidence of your commitment. Please let me know how things are going in a few months. If I come across anything else that will help, I will send it your way. Nina
Thank you so much for this vid! It's been a number of years since I had to use my putty (originally for CT). I have been dx with PSA and I crochet... my hands are not up to snuff lately. Thanks for a GREAT series of exercises to get me going again!
saw this grat video 2 days ago, really worked at this, now my thumd and mt index finger moving after 5 years of hell any suggestions for dropped archeses
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated. More videos to come....always looking for suggestions as to what people want or need from a Physical therapy point of view.
Physical therapists deal with the upper extremity, as well. We are able to tackle the whole body, whereas occupational therapists are usually limited to upper body.
