How to do it
Hold a soft ball or putty and squeeze gently for three seconds, then let go completely. On days a joint is inflamed, leave this one out.
Default dose
2 × 10 · 3s
This is the library's default dose. Each person's programme is set after assessment, around the grade of their finding and their own conditions and limits.
Muscles involved
- working Wrist and finger flexors
Muscle colours in the animation: orange working, blue stretching, amber holding still. These muscles were measured on the 3D model.
Where it sits in a programme: Activate the weak
The third phase is activation: strengthening a muscle that has become weak or underused, with controlled movement and light load, so it can carry its share of holding the body up.
Which postural findings it is prescribed for
It appears in programmes the tool prescribes after a musculoskeletal assessment.
Take care
- If the movement causes pain or makes pain worse, stop and contact the clinic or your doctor.
Source
Trial or systematic review:
- Lamb SE, Williamson EM, Heine PJ, et al. Exercises to improve function of the rheumatoid hand (SARAH): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2015;385(9966):421-9.
Trial: a hand stretching and strengthening programme improved hand function in rheumatoid arthritis. - Kloppenburg M, Kroon FP, Blanco FJ, et al. 2018 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of hand osteoarthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2019;78(1):16-24.
EULAR guideline: exercise to improve function and strength should be considered in hand osteoarthritis.