Physiotherapy
Important
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Gentler movements
Balloon patting
Pat a balloon between your hands, using mostly the wrist to hit the balloon.
Watch the watch
Imagine wearing a watch with the watch face on the inside of your wrist.
Take your arm forwards with the palm facing upwards, as if to look at the time. Gradually aim to fully extend your elbow.
Ball throwing progression
Stand by a wall and throw and catch a ball under arm. To progress this exercise, throw and catch the ball over arm.
Juggling
the affected hand only
using both hands
Juggle with two balls in the affected hand with the arm by your side. A progression is seen in the second picture, where three ball juggling is performed between both hands with arms out in front.
No more dishes
with wrists in extension
your hands forwards and backwards
Stretch your arms forwards with wrists in extension. Maintain wrist extension and alternate your hands forwards or backwards.
Stronger movements
Busy bee
across the body to the left
across the body to the right
Place your palms together and trace a waved line back and forth across your body. Alternate wrist position vigorously so that the top hand is always flat.
Sawatdika
move your arms to the left
move your arms to the right
Place the palms of your hands together and keep your forearms in a horizontal line. Move arms side to side in a saw-like motion.
Zorro
Start with your palm facing down and your arm across your body at head level. Zig-zag down your body in a slanted ‘Z’ shape, maintaining your palm facing the floor.
Wrist stretch
With your arm raised in front of your face, stretch your wrist backwards while extending your elbow.
Free the bird
Starting with your hand across your body and releasing out to the side, with your palm facing up and looking towards your hand.
Look at your hands
Hold arms out to the side, turn your palm up as you look at it and your palm down as you look away.
When to call for advice?
If you have problems following your exercises, contact the hand therapy team on
Patient experience
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.
This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.
To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the Patient Experience Department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print.
T: 01642 835964
E: [email protected]