Hand therapy ball exercises are a cheap option to increase hand strength and dexterity. They’re easy to make use of and intensely versatile, making it easy to perform a big selection of effective hand strengthening exercises.

Below are 8 hand therapy ball exercises designed to enhance effective motor skills after stroke.

Effective exercises with a hand therapy ball

Essentially the most effective option to speed up hand recovery after stroke is high-repetition practice. Practicing these 8 hand therapy ball exercises consistently will help stimulate your brain and increase its ability to rewire itself through neuroplasticity.

Start with a set of 10 reps for every exercise, then increase the strength until you reach 2-3 sets of 10 reps. So long as these exercises don’t cause you pain, you may do them multiple times a day!

1. Power grip

This exercise with a hand therapy ball will strengthen your grip to enhance your ability to catch and release objects. Grabbing the ball will develop the flexor muscles in your forearm.

It’ll even be necessary to practice releasing the ball, which can strengthen the extensor muscles on the surface of the forearm. This exercise may help relieve joint pain, stress, and anxiety.

Squeeze the therapy ball between your fingers and thumb, as if making a fist. Squeeze, then completely release the ball, opening your fingers as wide as possible.

2. Pinch

Squeeze the hand therapy ball, keeping your fingers and thumb prolonged. By prolonged, we mean keeping all of your knuckles straight. It will help strengthen muscles aside from those you employ when your fingers are bent (like in the primary exercise).

To make the hand therapy ball exercise harder, squeeze the ball for an extended time frame.

3. Bending and straightening the thumb

This thumb plays a crucial role in various hand functions, including pinching and grasping, so it’s extremely necessary to strengthen its muscles to enhance control.

Together with your hand as flat as possible, place the therapy ball in your palm and use your thumb to carry it in place. Then use your thumb to roll the ball up and down your palm. This movement is tougher and requires only specific thumb muscles.

4. Rolling up the table

Place a hand therapy ball on a table together with your hand on it. Then, together with your hand flat, roll the ball from the bottom of your palm to the guidelines of your fingers.

Putting an excessive amount of pressure on the ball will make it harder to maneuver. This exercise with a hand therapy ball will help people practice stabilizing their arm and hand in order that only a specific amount of pressure is applied to the ball.

5. Finger flexion

Unlike the Power Grip exercise, you squeeze the ball without using your thumb. Hold the therapy ball in your hand, pressing it together with your fingers. Press and release.

Notice how much harder it’s to squeeze the ball without using your thumb. It will help strengthen the muscles that permit you to bend your fingers.

6. Thumb Roll

This hand therapy exercise isolates the thumb and encourages full range of motion. In consequence, it should help prevent stiffness and improve control.

Place the therapy ball in your hand. Keep your hand as flat as possible and use your thumb to carry it in place. Then use your thumb to roll the ball in circles in your hand.

7. Finger squeezing

This exercise with a hand therapy ball will help strengthen the muscles that adduce your fingers. These muscles permit you to bring your fingers closer together, which is needed for grasping objects.

Place a therapy ball between two fingers and squeeze them together. Squeeze and release. You possibly can do that with any combination between your fingers, so that you’re definitely exercising all of your fingers!

Some fingers could also be harder (e.g. the ring and pinky fingers), but your effort will still impact your nervous system, so don’t be concerned in the event you notice slight movements.

8. Opposition of the thumb

This therapy ball exercise is analogous to the Thumb Roll, but you may be rolling the ball sideways as a substitute of in circles. Start by placing the therapy ball in your hand and holding it in place together with your thumb. Then use your thumb to maneuver the ball from left to right.

Advantages of Hand Therapy Ball Exercises

It’s important to tailor your hand therapy exercises to your recovery goals. Some hand therapy balls have more resistance than others. Select those that fit your goals. Some might have to strengthen their hands, while others may use these exercises to regain hand mobility.

In relation to neurological injury, the main focus mustn’t be solely on attempting to increase resistance. As a substitute, the main focus must be on repetition, which provides the brain with the stimulation it must rewire itself.

Tailor your hand therapy exercise program to your goals. You possibly can even add some clay therapy exercises! Enjoy!