Hand Exercises With Therapy Balls For Older Adults : Improving Strength and Dexterity

10 BEST Hand Exercises with STRESS Balls

Our hands are a vital part of our daily lives, enabling us to perform everyday tasks, communicate, and interact with the world around us. 

They play a critical role in fine motor tasks which are activities that require precise and coordinated movements of the small muscles in the hands, fingers, and wrists, allowing us to write, type, button up a shirt, open a jar or participate in hobbies like drawing, playing an instrument, sewing and knitting. 

And gross motor tasks which are activities that involve larger muscle groups of the hand. Which could be carrying an object, opening or closing a door, using a broom to sweep the yard, or throwing a ball!

Strong and healthy hands can improve our quality of life and reduce the risk of injuries conditions like arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, and allow us to do the things we love.

As we age, our hands can become weaker and less dexterous (less able to perform precise and coordinated movements) due to natural muscle loss and decreased activity levels affecting our ability to perform everyday tasks. 

Arthritis can have a profound impact on hand function also, making everyday tasks difficult and painful. Osteoarthritis, which is caused by wear and tear on the joints over time, can lead to joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility in the hands, affecting motor skills.

Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder that causes joint inflammation, can lead to joint deformities of the hand, limiting mobility and dexterity.

Fortunately, regular hand strengthening exercises can help improve grip strength, dexterity, and overall hand function, making it easier to perform daily activities and maintain independence.

Today we are going to be covering some exercises for the hands using therapy balls to help provide resistance and improve hand strength and flexibility.

In the future I will also be covering hand exercises using no equipment.

BENEFITS OF USING THERAPY BALLS FOR HAND STRENGTHENING EXERCISES

Therapy balls, also known as stress balls or exercise balls, provide resistance that helps strengthen the muscles in the hands and fingers.

They come in various sizes, shapes, and resistances, allowing for customisation to individual needs and abilities. Incorporating therapy balls into hand strengthening exercises can provide additional benefits, including improved grip strength, increased range of motion, and enhanced coordination.

TO PURCHASE THE MORE LIFE HEALTH THERAPY BALLS, CLICK HERE.

Additionally, for individuals with arthritis, using therapy balls can provide a low-impact form of resistance that is gentle on the joints while still providing strength-building benefits.

HAND AND FINGER EXERCISES WITH THERAPY BALLS

These exercises are designed to help improve the strength and dexterity of your hands, forearms and fingers.

Remember to perform the exercises slowly and deliberately, focusing on squeezing with as much strength as you can without causing pain or discomfort.

Choose a resistance (light, moderate or heavy) for the level you are at, and progress the exercises as you get stronger.

Make sure to do the exercises on BOTH hands.

EXERCISE 1: BALL GRIP SQUEEZES (WRIST UP)

This exercise works the muscles of the fingers, hand and forearms helping to improve grip strength.

Hold your therapy ball in your hand with your wrist facing up. Squeeze the ball as tightly as you can, for 5 seconds then release.

Repeat 5 times.

EXERCISE 2: BALL GRIP SQUEEZES (WRIST DOWN)

This exercise works the muscles of the fingers, hand and forearms helping to improve grip strength.

Hold your therapy ball in your hand with your wrist facing down.

Squeeze the ball as tightly as you can for 5 seconds then release.

Repeat 5 times.

EXERCISE 3: TWO FINGER BALL SQUEEZE

This squeeze in particular is good to help strength the grip for tasks such as turning on or off a tap, or using a can opener.

Hold a therapy ball in one hand, with your palm facing up and your fingers slightly bent.

Position your index and middle fingers on one side of the ball and your thumb on the underneath the ball as per the picture below

Squeeze the ball between your two fingers and thumb as tightly as you can, hold for 5 seconds, then release.

Repeat 5 times.

EXERCISE 4: BALL PINCHES - ALL FINGERS

Hold your therapy ball between your thumb and first finger.

Pinch the ball as tightly as you can, hold for 5 seconds, then release.

Do the same for each finger.

Repeat 5 times.

EXERCISE 5: FINGER SIDE SQUEEZES - ALL FINGERS

Hold your therapy ball between the side of your index finger and your thumb.

Squeeze the ball as tightly as you can, hold for 5 seconds then release.

Do the same between your index finger and middle finger.

Repeat 5 times.

EXERCISE 6: THUMB FLEXION SQUEEZE

Hold your therapy ball between your thumb and your fingers.

Squeeze your thumb into the ball as tightly as you can, hold for 5 seconds, then release.

Repeat 5 times.

EXERCISE 7: FINGER BALL ROLL OUTS:

Place your fingers on top of your therapy ball, with the therapy ball on a table.

Roll your fingers over the top of the ball and back.

Repeat 5 times.

EXERCISE 8: BALL ROTATIONS (PALM/BALL UP)

Start by holding a therapy ball in your palm, with your fingers wrapped around it with your palm/ball facing up

Use your thumb and fingers to gently rotate the ball in a circular motion, as if you're trying to "roll" it around your palm.

Continue rotating the ball for several seconds, then switch directions and rotate it in the opposite direction.

Repeat the exercise for about 30 seconds to a minute, or for as long as you can comfortably maintain good form.

EXERCISE 9: BALL ROTATIONS (PALM/BALL DOWN)

Start by holding your therapy ball in your palm, with your fingers wrapped around it with your palm/ball facing down - this is more difficult as you have to hold the ball in place to not allow it to drop.

Use your thumb and fingers to rotate the ball in a circular motion, as if you're trying to "roll" it around your palm. - go at a speed you can manage.

Continue rotating the ball for several seconds, then switch directions and rotate it in the opposite direction.

Repeat the exercise for about 30 seconds to a minute, or for as long as you can comfortably maintain good form.

EXERCISE 10: BALL TOSSES

Start by holding ytour therapy ball in one hand, with your fingers wrapped around it.

Gently toss the ball to your other hand, catching it with your fingers and palm.

Immediately toss the ball back to the first hand, again catching it with your fingers and palm.

Repeat this gentle back-and-forth tossing motion for 30 seconds to a minute, or for as long as you can maintain good form.

BONUSE EXERCISE: ROLLING BALL MASSAGES

Place a therapy ball on a table and roll your hand over it, applying pressure to the palm and fingers as you go.

Continue for several minutes, focusing on any areas of tension or discomfort.

TIPS FOR INCORPORATING HAND EXERCISES INTO YOUR ROUTINE

• Start slowly and gradually increase the number of exercises and repetitions or resistance as your strength improves. Also hold the exercises for longer time.

• Start with 5 repetitions work your way up to 10-15.

• Start with 5 second holds and work up to 10 - 15 seconds

• Perform these hand strengthening exercises 2-3 times per week, allowing for rest days in between.

• Use proper form and avoid straining your hands or fingers to prevent injury.

• If you are using your hands a lot, maybe you are in a job that required heavy use of your hands, or you are doing a hobby that requires the same, rest off your hands until they feel better, and gradually incorporate these exercises into your life, and balance them with the task you are doing.

• Listen to your body and stop if you experience pain or discomfort.

WHAT THERAPY BALLS TO USE - THERAPY BALLS I RECOMMEND

To purchase some high quality therapy balls, with different strengths, designed and tested by me, to improve your hand strength and dexterity (and can also be used as stress balls), click below.

Buy More Life Health Therapy Balls

TO PURCHASE CLICK BELOW:

Exercises To Do Before Knee Replacement Surgery

Includes VIDEO ON PRE-Knee Replacement SURGERY ExerciseS

So you’re booked in for an upcoming knee replacement surgery.

You most probably have been given a list of exercises to do before this surgery (and other pre-operative instructions) by your surgeon. This will ensure your legs are strong as possible before your surgery, which will help with the recovery.

As a Physiotherapist who has helped many people in your exact situation, I want to help you by going through the exercises in a video so you can follow along to them.

Before we get into this, however, let’s go through a few other things you can do to allow for better recovery following surgery.

Preparing For Knee Replacement Surgery

MENTAL PREPARATION

Undergoing any kind of surgery can be daunting, but it's important to remember that knee replacement surgery is very common and typically has a successful outcome. Still, it's normal to feel some anxiety about the procedure. Here are a few tips to help you mentally prepare for your surgery:

• Talk to your surgeon: If you have any questions or concerns about the surgery, be sure to voice them to your surgeon ahead of time. This will help put your mind at ease and ensure that you understand everything that will happen during the procedure.

• Educate yourself: Learning as much as you can about knee replacement surgery will also help reduce your anxiety. Talk to your surgeon, read books or articles, and watch videos about the surgery so that you know what to expect.

• Find a support system: Whether it's friends, family, or a support group for people who are undergoing knee surgery, having a supportive network will help you feel more comfortable going into the procedure.
  You will find many people who have undergone this surgery in the MORE LIFE HEALTH SUPPORT GROUP - which you can join HERE

PHYSICAL PREPARATION

In addition to preparing mentally for your surgery, it's also important to take some steps to prepare physically. This will help ensure a smooth recovery and decrease your risk of complications. Here are some things you can do:

• Lose weight: Carrying extra weight puts more strain on your knees. Not only will losing weight help with the pain prior to surgery, it will also allow for a smoother recovery. Speak to your doctor about weight loss techniques.

• Quit smoking: If you smoke, it's important to quit at least six weeks before your surgery. Smoking can delay healing and increase the risk of complications. Speak to your doctor about weight loss techniques.

• Get healthier - Start introducing healthier habits into your life - eating a healthier diet, getting optimal sleep and reducing stress are some great ways to improve your health.

• Exercise: Strong muscles help support your joints, so it's important to exercise regularly prior to your surgery. This will help you stay strong and improve your overall health. We will cover exercise in the next section.

• Get your home ready: Before your surgery, you'll need to make some changes to your home to accommodate your recovery. This may include: making sure you have someone to help, setting up a comfortable place to sleep, removing any rugs or other trip hazards, and stocking up on easy-to-prepare meals.

Knee replacement surgery is a major procedure, but if you take the time to prepare both mentally and physically, you can help ensure a successful outcome. Talk to your surgeon about any questions or concerns you have, and be sure to follow their instructions for a safe and smooth recovery.

I also cover more on what you can do (plus exercises), in the video below.

EXERCISES TO DO BEFORE KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY

Exercises to do before Knee replacement surgery