How to Stretch and Open Stroke Hand and Fingers

If your wrist and head is curled up after a stroke you might need to watch this video.

When spasticity is starting after you had a stroke, meaning your stroke arm is getting stiffer and tight, your hand and wrist might start to curl up. Specially when you have moderate spasticity, it is difficult to open up that stroke hand. It is very critical to stretch and splint the hand and arm in order to avoid getting the hand to curl up tighter. So if you’re ready let’s get through the exercises and stretches that you need to do in order to open up that stoke hand.

1. Elbow stretch - we need to stretch the elbow in order for us to get better access to your wrist and hand. First move the muscles of your elbow back-and-forth and then find the tendons and move it back-and-forth as well. You need to find your biceps and your brachio-radialis muscles since they are the ones that keeps your elbow flexed. Then, gently push your forearm away into a straight position very slowly. It will take several minutes in order for you to even move it a few inches.
2. Forearm rolling - Put your forearm on the table and gently roll it back-and-forth for a few minutes. It will be difficult and tight but be very patient.
3. Wrist stretching - find the tendons that are tight and go further up towards your elbow and massage that muscle for a few minutes. Use the knuckles of your good head to massage that area slowly go down towards towards attendance and continue massaging. After doing that gently stretch your wrist towards a straighter position. This will take several minutes again, so be patient.
4. Stretching the thumb - hang your forearm towards the edge of the table. It might be easier for you to be close to the corner of your table so that you can reach over to your wrist and head. Gently open your thumb up. Again very slowly and gently because if you force it to open, it will just get even tighter and rebound back towards your hand.
5. Stretching the fingers - once you have opened up your thumb and To the side, hold the farm with your index and your thumb of your good head. Gently insert your middle finger and ring finger towards your fingers and slide it towards the fingertips. Initially this will be very difficult and tight. Go slow and be patient. Once you have opened it up, slide your stroke arm so your fingers will be towards the edge of the table. Keep sliding your hand towards the table and slowly press on top of that hand to flatten it out. Be gentle with it since this will take several minutes in order for this to work.
6. Splinting - get a split that will keep your hand open. Unfortunately there is no real good ones out in the market that I can recommend since they are better when they are custom fitted for you. But this is a very critical step in order to have a sustained stretch on your wrist and hand to keep it straight and open. While waiting for a splint, you can roll two old socks and put it inside your hand so that it will not curl up even further.

You can do the stretches on your own but it is always better to have somebody help you like a therapist or a family member or a friend in doing this stretches. I hope this video was able to help you open up and then curl your stroke hand.

#strokehand #stroke #strokeexercises

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Disclaimer:
This video should not replace the necessity of visiting your doctor or getting your occupational therapy session done. Please consult your primary care physician before doing any of this. The video is for educational purposes only.

By performing any fitness exercises, you are performing them at your own risk. Skills and wellness will not be responsible or liable for any injury or harm you sustain as a result of our fitness program.

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