Easy Hand Exercises To Speed Up Post-Stroke Recovery

Stroke patients often suffer from hand impairment after the attack. If left untreated, the hand can permanently lose the ability to function. However, exercises can restore the movement in the hand muscle. Plexus’ rehabilitation center in Hyderabad provides world-class Hand Therapy to help stroke patients recover faster. Read more to find about the home exercises that can strengthen hand muscles.

Imagine not being able to dress, brush your teeth, or hold a pen. These seemingly basic tasks that we do without conscious thinking require an insurmountable strength for people who suffer from hand impairments after a stroke. Globally, 15 million people suffer from a stroke a year, out of which five million people develop permanent disabilities. That’s five million people worldwide who are unable to go about their day-to-day lives due to limited hand functionality. 

Why and how does a stroke impact the hand movement? 

A stroke occurs when there is a stoppage of blood flow to a part of the brain due to blockage or rupture of blood vessels. Often after a stroke, some parts of the brain responsible for the movement of hands are damaged. This leads to stiffness in the muscles, loss of strength, function, and sensation in hand and fingers.

The path to recovery

Recovering after a stroke is a challenging task that requires mental strength, courage, and resilience. Many stroke patients cope with this sudden loss by doing things using their unaffected hand. But, patients must avoid using just their ‘good’ arm as restoring movement in the affected hand is possible. 

Neuroplasticity — brain’s ability to relearn lost skills — can develop damaged neurological pathways. Performing simple and repetitive movements such as picking objects, stringing beads, rolling a ball, etc. can strengthen the connection between the mind and the muscle and accelerate the recovery process.

Exercises for faster hand recovery

Gentle movements - These are apt for those who struggle with moving their hand.

1. Palm up and down - Place the affected hand on a table, palm facing down. Use the non-affected hand and flip the palm up. Repeat as many times as possible
2. Bend wrist - Place the elbow of the non-affected hand on the table, use it to stretch the wrist of the affected hand. Put a little pressure on the fingertips to push the hand backward. Lastly, stretch the hand forward. Repeat this motion slowly and carefully
3. Side wrist movement - Place the affected hand on the table, palm facing down. Use the non-affected hand to slightly push your hand to the left and then to the right. Perform this movement slowly repeatedly

Moderate movements - These exercises are for recovering from hand spasticity.

1. Wrist curl using a bottle -  Keep a small water bottle on the affected hand and use the non-affected hand for support. Let the affected wrist stretch down, and then try to curl the wrist up
2. Rolling motion - Place a water bottle on the affected hand. Relax the hand and fingers. Then, use your fingers in a curling motion and try to grasp the water bottle. Repeat this opening and closing motion with your fingers
3. Grip and release a pen - Put a pen on one side of the table and try to gently grip it with your affected fingers. Then, slide the pen across the table and release it back down. Repeat this exercise by sliding the pen back and forth across the table

Advanced exercises - These are challenging exercises for those stroke survivors who already have considerable functionality in their hands.

1. Spin a pen - Place a pen on the table and use the thumb and fingers to spin it. Try to use the thumb and fingers to drive this motion
2. Coin drop - Place eight coins in a row on the affected palm. Then, slowly use the thumb to move one coin to the index finger. Pinch the coin between the thumb and index finger and slowly release it back down. Repeat the process with other coins
3. Finger curl - Hold the affected hand upright and try to touch each fingertip to the thumb. Pinch and release, starting with the index finger and subsequently move to other fingers

 

Many rehabilitation centers help patients perform the above exercises along with a customized treatment plan. But, doing the above exercises at home in tandem with physical therapy will fasten the recovery process. Recovery is possible for anyone — all it takes is patience, practice, and willpower — and in no time the patient will be able to go back to their independent and vibrant lives.