Hand Exercises [putty, ball, misc]

[Pa-zzi69]

My Occupational Therapist writes:

Exercise putty (Or "Theraputty") is commonly used to strengthen muscles within the hand. ... PlayDough is not the same as exercise putty so I'd recommend ordering some from online. Here's a link to exercise putty online through Amazon. There are four colors, each with a different level of firmness:

FlintRehab Premium Quality Therapy Putty (4 Pack, 3-oz Each) for Hand Exercise rehabilitation:

amazon.com/Premium-Quality-...?

Amazon keyword: therapy hand putty

In terms of exercises, Saebo.com has a great blog with a wide variety of topics including best hand exercises. They cater to post-stroke population but these exercises can certainly be used for anyone wishing to improve strength within their hands. The first six exercises have a therapeutic ball but all of those can be used with putty. The remaining exercises use putty.

saebo.com/reclaim-your-dext...

For dexterity/fine motor coordination, here's a list of good exercises/activities:

PRACTICE THE ACTIVITIES MARKED FOR 30 MINUTES TOTAL PER DAY USING WEAK HAND (unless otherwise noted):

( ) Pick up one coin w/ each hand & drop into a container at the same time.

( ) Hold a deck of cards in R L hand & sort into suits with R L hand.

( ) Play scales on piano/keyboard using R L Both hands.

( ) Typing drills on computer/typewriter using R L Both hands.

( ) Use a calculator.

( ) Thread buttons or washers onto a shoelace/string/twist tie using R L hand.

( ) Dominos, Yahtzee, dice, Cribbage, Solitaire, Concentration card game, shuffle cards.

( ) Print/write/type: The sly lazy dog jumped over the quick brown fox.

( ) Punch golf tees into the flat surface of a cereal/tissue box then move them around the box using/ R L hand.

( ) Pick up small ¼” ½” 1” diameter objects, store in your palm & then push them out of your hand by using your thumb.

( ) Roll golf ball down R L palm & out through fingers.

( ) Hold two balls in R L palm, then exchange places of balls without using other hand.

( ) Put coins, 1” 2” diameter item in pocket with R L hand & remove it.

( ) Tie fishing lures.

( ) Large patterned & needle cross-stitch, crochet or knitting.

( ) Sort small nuts, bolts, screws, nails.

( ) Make jewelry with 1/8” ¼ ½” 1” beads.

( ) Jig-saw puzzles.

( ) Drawing or Doodle art.

( ) Flip/Turn pages of a book/magazine using R L hand.

( ) Screw nuts onto bolts (progressively smaller)

( ) Origami or folding letter sized paper or cardstock & put into envelopes.

( ) Put away silverware.

( ) Use a ratchet-type screwdriver.

( ) Open & close plastic storage containers, medicine bottles.

( ) Tie shoelaces @ lap level or tie a long twist tie in a bow.

( ) Button shirts @ lap or table top level (progressively smaller buttons.)

[Fed1000]

Thank you for sharing.

[Mollygirl1231]

Thank you for sharing the list of exercises. My MDS suggested some OT. My writing has gotten so bad, along with coordination and dexterity. Went in for an evaluation they suggested PT first. I have tendonitis and torn rotator cuff in my tremor dominate arm and shoulder. Pain and ROM terrible. I will be done with PT in 3 weeks. Going too start collecting some of the items so I can do home therapy also... can't hurt to try. Thanks again😊