Your hands are necessary for everything from cooking and cleaning to typing and drawing. But most people don’t think about their hands until they start to hurt. Today, we’re looking at the six most beneficial hand exercises for rheumatoid arthritis so you can alleviate joint pain in your hands.

6 Hand Exercises for Rheumatoid Arthritis

1. Make a Fist

Making a fist is one of the best hand exercises for rheumatoid arthritis because there is no special equipment needed. Simply perform this exercise whenever and wherever you feel your hands start to stiffen.

Start by holding out your right hand with each of your fingers straight. Then, bend your hand into a fist slowly with your thumb on the outside of your hand. Remember to be gentle. Slowly open your hand until all your fingers are extended once more. Complete this movement 10 times. Then, do the same thing with your left hand.

2. Finger Bends

Start with your right hand out in front of you and all your fingers straight. Then, bend your thumb down until it touches your palm. Maintain this position for a couple seconds. Return your thumb to the starting position. Next, bend your index finger downwards until it touches your palm. Hold it for a couple seconds and return your index finger to the starting position. Continue this with the other three fingers on your right hand, then do the same thing with your left hand.

3. Wrist Stretch

When considering the best hand exercises for rheumatoid arthritis, it’s important to not forget the wrists. To complete the wrist stretch, hold your left arm out in front of you with your palm facing the floor.

Gently grasp your left hand with your right hand and press down so your palm faces your torso. You should feel a stretch in your wrist and arm, but it should not be painful. Hold this position for a few seconds. Repeat 10 times. Then, mirror the sequence. Stretch your right hand 10 times.

4. Table Bend

Perform the table bend exercise by placing your right hand on the table. The pinky side-edge of your finger should be touching the table and your thumb should be pointed towards the ceiling.

Keeping your thumb pointed up, bend your other four fingers inward until your hand looks like an “L”. Hold this position for a couple seconds. Then, straighten your fingers until they are once again in the starting position. Repeat this 10 times. Repeat the same sequence with your left hand 10 times.

5. Finger Lift

Place your right palm on the table. Beginning with your thumb, slowly lift each finger off the table individually. Hold each finger for a few seconds before lowering it. Perform the same exercise with every finger on your right hand.

6. Make an “O”

Begin with your right hand and fingers held straight out in front of you. Curve each of your fingers inward until they’re touching. Your touching fingers should resemble an “O”. Hold this position for several seconds. Then, straighten out your fingers until you’re back at the starting position. Repeat the sequence with your left hand. Perform this exercise whenever your hands feel stiff or achy.

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Rheumatoid arthritis can make your hands and wrists feel achy or sore and stiff. Luckily, pain can be decreased and range of motion can be increased by stretching and exercising your hands. Create an account with Senior Health & Lifestyle News today and get all the latest information and tips that affect you. We’ll send you an e-mail to notify you when we post new great content.