Finger and Thumb Stretches

Purpose:

Increases and preserves flexibility and mobility of the joints. 

Directions:

Complete 10 repetitions (30 seconds each) once a day.

Recommendations:   

  • Complete exercises slowly  

  • Try to achieve full range of motion but do not force a stretch 

  • Decrease hands-on assistance over time (have child try to initiate and hold movement on their own) 

Thumb Abduction

  • Place the child's hand to be exercised on the table with their thumb and index finger facing out. 

  • Place the thumb and index finger of your hand between the thumb web of the child's hand. 

  • Spread the thumb and index finger of your hand so that the thumb web of their hand is spread open. 

Finger Adduction &  Abduction

  • Straighten the palm of hand with fingers together and thumb against the side of hand.  

  • Open the fingers and thumb to spread the fingers far apart.  

  • Move the fingers and thumb back together so they are touching. 

Thumb Flexion & Extension

  • Move thumb to little finger.

  • Bend and straighten the thumb out to the side to stretch the "web space"

Finger Flexion & Extension

  • Hold the forearm above the wrist with one hand and grasp the fingers with your other hand.

  • Holding the hand in this way, bend the wrist back, about 90 degrees, while straightening the fingers out.

  • Then bend the wrist the opposite direction, about 90 degrees, while curling the fingers into a fist.