People with neurological conditions may have issues with moving their shoulders, arms, hands, fingers and thumbs.
This can affect the ability to do everyday activities, work, participate in hobbies and communicate with people. Exercises can help to improve ability, manage problems and minimise issues getting worse. Below are some examples of exercises for the whole arm.
Finger extension
Slowly open your fingers and stretch them out as wide as you can. Hold for a few seconds. Relax and let your fingers and thumb curl. Repeat.
Variation:
-
Your therapist may advise you to do the movements quickly
Thumb opposition
Spread your fingers out.
Then bend your thumb and touch the tip of your index finger to make an ‘O’. Then open your hand and spread your fingers out.
Then bend your thumb and touch the tip of your middle finger to make an ‘O’. Then open your hand and spread your fingers out.
Then bend your thumb and touch the tip of your ring finger to make an ‘O’. Then open your hand and spread your fingers out.
Then bend your thumb and touch the tip of your little finger to make an ‘O’. Then open your hand and spread your fingers out.
Repeat touching each fingertip in turn.
Variation:
-
Touch the base of your finger in turn instead of the fingertips
Dexterity
Have a few paperclips, coins or other small items on a table or worktop.
Keeping your index finger and thumb straight, practice picking up the items between your thumb and index finger and dropping them into a cup.
Variations:
-
Pick up the items between your thumb, index and middle fingers.
-
Have your other fingers sticking out (instead of being curled up like in the photograph)
-
Bend your thumb and finger(s) to pick up the objects between the thumb and fingertip(s)
Supported movement
Put a flannel, dishcloth or paper towel on a smooth table or worktop.
Open your hand and place it on top of the flannel / dishcloth / paper towel.
Slide your hand forwards and backwards.
Slide your hand side-to-side.
Slide your hand in circles in one direction and then the other.
Slide the hand as though you are wiping the table or worktop.
Variations:
-
Have a glide sheet between the hand and table
-
Put some talcum powder on top of the table and wipe it off
-
Stand up to wipe the table or worktop
-
If your hand cannot fully open, you may find it easier to hold a foam sponge or rolled up cloth
-
Have one hand on top of the other to help with the movements
Pinch grip
Squeeze a peg between your thumb and index finger to open it. Attach the peg to a vertical pole.
Repeat and challenge yourself to get higher and higher. Then take the pegs off.
Variations:
-
Squeeze the peg between the thumb, index and middle fingers.
-
Attach the peg to a horizontal pole or washing line. You can adjust the height of the pole/washing line
Buttons
Put a shirt / blouse on a table and practice doing up and undoing buttons OR practice doing up and undoing buttons whilst wearing a shirt / blouse
Reaching and stacking
Practice stacking and unstacking objects which you have at home such as plastic/paper cups, jenga bricks and dice.
Also practice reaching for and gripping a bottle of water and then releasing your grip. Repeat 10 times.
Elbow flexion
Sit or stand holding onto a small weight (you can use a water bottle and alter the amount of water inside to change the weight).
Turn your palms towards you. Slowly bend your elbow lifting your hand towards your shoulder then slowly lower back down.
Repeat 10 times
YOU CAN ALSO COMPLETE THIS EXERCISE WITHOUT USING A WEIGHT
Shoulder flexion
Sit or stand holding onto a small weight (you can use a water bottle and alter the amount of water inside to change the weight). Keeping your arm straight slowly lift your arm out in front of you.
Repeat 10 times
TO MAKE THIS EXERCISE EASIER DO NOT USE A WEIGHT AND COMPLETE THE MOVEMENT WHILST LAYING IN BED
Shoulder abduction
Sit or stand holding onto a small weight (you can use a water bottle and alter the amount of water inside to change the weight). Keeping your arm straight slowly lift your arm out to the side.
Repeat 10 times