Hand exercises for people with arthritis

Swelling, pain and stiffness in the joints are common symptoms for people with arthritis. If you have arthritis, your health care professional may recommend hand exercises to help you improve joint flexibility and range of motion.

Knuckle bend

Start by holding your hand and fingers straight and close together. Bend the middle joints of your fingers. Keep your knuckles straight.

Moving slowly and smoothly, return your hand to the starting position. If you can, repeat this exercise five times with each hand.

Knuckle bend exercise

Fist stretch

Start by holding your hand and fingers straight and close together, as if for a handshake. Rest your forearm, wrist and hand on a tabletop or other flat surface. Close your fingers into a gentle fist. Wrap your thumb around the outside of your fingers. Don't squeeze.

Moving slowly and smoothly, return your hand to the starting position. Repeat the exercise 10 times with each hand.

Closed fist exercise

Thumb stabilization

Start by holding your hand and fingers straight and close together. Gently curve your fingers, as if your hand is wrapped around a can or bottle.

Moving slowly and smoothly, return your hand to the starting position. Repeat the exercise five times with each hand.

Hand exercises for arthritis

Fingertip touch

Start by holding your hand and fingers straight and close together. Form a circle by touching your thumb to each fingertip.

Moving slowly and smoothly, touch your index finger to your thumb. Hold for five seconds, then remove your index finger. Follow with your middle, ring and small fingers. Repeat this exercise five times with each hand.

Fingertip touch exercise

Finger walk

Rest your hand on a flat surface, such as a tabletop, with your palm facing down. Move your thumb away from your fingers.

Start with your index finger. Move it up and toward your thumb. Next move your middle, ring and small fingers one at a time up and toward your thumb. Repeat this exercise five times with each hand.

Finger walk exercise

Do each exercise slowly and smoothly. These exercises should not cause pain. If you have pain, stop the exercises and relax. When you are ready, do the exercises again but slower and with less intensity.

If the pain continues, talk with your health care professional or physical therapist.

June 24, 2023 See more In-depth

See also

  1. 5 signs a psoriasis support group is right for you
  2. 6 ways to manage itchy skin when you have psoriasis
  3. Arthritis
  4. Arthritis pain: Do's and don'ts
  5. Arthritis rehabilitation
  6. Arthroscopy
  7. Bone marrow aspirate concentrate injection
  8. Brucellosis
  9. Can psoriasis make it hard to sleep?
  10. Chronic pain: Medication decisions
  11. Crohn's Crisis
  12. Crohn's disease
  13. Crohn's disease and the gut microbiome
  14. What is Crohn's disease? A Mayo Clinic expert explains
  15. Crohn's or Colitis
  16. CT scan
  17. Ease stress to reduce your psoriasis flares
  18. Exercise and chronic disease
  19. Exercising with arthritis
  20. Gluten sensitivity and psoriasis: What's the connection?
  21. Henoch-Schonlein purpura
  22. Herniated disk FAQs
  23. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  24. Inflammatory bowel disease FAQs
  25. Is the Mediterranean diet good for psoriasis?
  26. Is there a special diet for Crohn's disease?
  27. Isometric exercise
  28. Joint pain
  29. Joint protection
  30. Joint replacement surgery
  31. Living better with Crohn's disease
  32. Living better with psoriasis
  33. Maintain your social life with Crohn's disease
  34. Psoriasis-related health risks
  35. MRI
  36. Paget's disease of bone
  37. Prednisone risks, benefits
  38. Prednisone withdrawal: Why taper down slowly?
  39. Pregnancy and breastfeeding when you have psoriasis
  40. Psoriasis
  41. Psoriasis and clinical trials
  42. Psoriasis and intimacy
  43. Psoriasis and your self-esteem
  44. Identifying what worsens your psoriasis
  45. Psoriasis: Get the most out of your treatment
  46. Psoriasis: How can I protect my skin during a workout?
  47. Psoriasis treatment options
  48. Psoriasis: What if I get psoriatic arthritis, too?
  49. Psoriasis: What to share with your doctor
  50. Scalp psoriasis vs. seborrheic dermatitis
  51. Seeing inside the heart with MRI
  52. Slide show: 5 ways to thrive with psoriasis through the holidays
  53. Slide show: Caring for your skin when you have psoriasis
  54. Staying active with Crohn's disease
  55. Cane tips
  56. Walker tips
  57. Tips for easing stress when you have Crohn's disease
  58. Types of psoriasis
  59. Ultrasound
  60. Vasculitis
  61. MRI
  62. Alternative psoriasis treatments
  63. What are the risks of vaccinations for people living with psoriasis?
  64. What's the best way to manage scalp psoriasis?
  65. Where can I learn more about living with Crohn's disease?
  66. X-ray