Hand Won't Open After Stroke? Try This Exercise Routine

Hand recovery after stroke can be frustrating, especially when the hand feels weak, stiff, curled, tight, uncoordinated, or difficult to open and close. Many stroke survivors can move the shoulder or elbow before the hand starts working well again because the muscles in the hand and fingers are smaller, more delicate, and harder to control. In this video, Nathan, Occupational Therapist from Skills and Wellness, demonstrates hand exercises after stroke to help improve joint mobility, muscle control, finger movement, grip strength, hand opening, thumb movement, and coordination. This stroke hand rehab routine starts with gentle joint mobilization. You will work on forearm rotation by turning the palm up and down, wrist movement by moving the wrist up and down and side to side, mobility in the middle of the hand, and finger joint movement. These early movements can help prepare the stroke hand before strengthening exercises. The video also shows how to practice closing the hand by using rubbing or sensory stimulation to help facilitate the movement. Then you will work on grip strengthening by opening and closing the hand in different arm positions, including with the arm straight, the arm supported, and the hand turned to the side. But after a stroke, grip should not be the only focus. Many stroke hands already want to curl, close, or make a fist. That is why opening the hand is just as important, and sometimes more difficult. This video also teaches hand opening exercises, finger spreading, thumb movement, finger lifting from the table, and coordination exercises to help train the muscles that open the hand. This video may help people searching for stroke hand exercises, hand exercises after stroke, stroke hand recovery, weak hand after stroke, stroke hand won’t open, finger exercises after stroke, thumb exercises after stroke, wrist exercises after stroke, grip strength after stroke, hand coordination after stroke, occupational therapy stroke rehab, physical therapy stroke exercises, and home stroke recovery exercises. The goal is not just to make the hand stronger. The goal is to help the brain and hand reconnect so the hand can open, close, release, grip, and participate more during daily activities like eating, dressing, bathing, grooming, writing, holding objects, and using the hand at home. Do not force the hand or fingers if there is sharp pain, swelling, fragile skin, severe spasticity, poor sensation, or medical precautions. Ask your occupational therapist, physical therapist, or healthcare provider if you are unsure what is safe for you. What is hardest for your stroke hand right now: opening the hand, closing the hand, moving the thumb, lifting the fingers, or using it during daily tasks? #OccupationalTherapy #PhysicalTherapy #StrokeRecovery #StrokeRehab #StrokeExercises #Handrehab #Hemiplegia ================================= Disclaimer: This video should not replace the necessity of visiting your doctor or getting your occupational therapy session done. Please consult your primary care physician before doing any of this. The video is for educational purposes only. By performing any fitness exercises, you are performing them at your own risk. Skills and wellness will not be responsible or liable for any injury or harm you sustain as a result of our fitness program. =============================== Follow me on instagram:   / skillsandwellness