Arthritis

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Bend your fingers

Hand exercises may help improve muscle strength and joint range of motion in people who have arthritis. You can do hand exercises daily or, preferably, several times a day. You might find it helps to do hand exercises while soaking your hands in warm water. Know your limitations, though. Hand exercises shouldn't cause pain.

Start your hand exercises by relaxing your hand. Start with your fingers straight and close together. Bend the end and middle joints of your fingers. Keep your wrist and knuckles straight. Moving slowly and smoothly, return your hand to the starting position. Repeat with your other hand. If you can, perform multiple repetitions of this exercise on each hand.

1. Take control with exercise: Range of motion. Arthritis Foundation. http://www.eventstreams.com/arthritisnational/018bexr/defaultfrm.htm. Accessed July 7, 2011.
2. Lin JT, et al. Rehabilitation of the older adult with an osteoporosis-related fracture. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine. 2006;22:435.
3. Hunder GG. Mayo Clinic Straight Talk on Arthritis. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2006:257.
4. Flexibility exercises. In: Lorig K, et al. The Arthritis Helpbook. 6th ed. Cambridge, Mass.: Da Capo Press; 2006:151.