Health-improving gymnastics for hand joints with arthritis

Despite the development of medical technologies and the emergence of new drugs, gymnastics for arthritis of the fingers remains an important and quite effective method of treating this disease. The goals of gymnastics are to help achieve the main goals of treatment, which are to relieve pain and inflammation in the joints.

For arthritis of small joints, such as the joints of the hand, the exercises are performed repeatedly. You don’t need special conditions to perform them; you can even do them at your desk, so the recommended number of repetitions (6–8 times a day) is quite realistic and affordable. Thanks to such active gymnastics, blood circulation improves. This leads to a decrease in inflammatory activity. The fluid accumulated in the cavities of the joints and periarticular tissues is absorbed. Along with the resorption of the fluid, the swelling subsides, swelling and redness decrease. Exercise increases muscle tone. All these changes help restore and improve the motor capabilities of the joints and restore finger dexterity.

With active exercise, a very significant improvement in general condition is also possible.

Execution rules:

Regularity and consistency of exercises, Performing exercises during remission or in a subacute state, Performing the entire complex with both hands, Free breathing, Slow pace.

Therapeutic exercises for arthritis of the fingers are represented by simple movements that must be performed in such a way as not to cause pain. Arthritis of the thumb joint very often develops. This may be the beginning of a systemic process or an isolated lesion of the joint in only one arm. In any case, the exercises are performed on all fingers and both hands.

Before starting classes, you need to get recommendations from your doctor, he will recommend some specific exercises. As a rule, these exercises are very simple; each of them is performed 6–12 times, depending on the condition of the joints and sensations. At first it may be difficult to perform some movements, but over time the joints develop, the amplitude of movements and their accuracy increase. {banner_st-d-2} Some exercises for arthritis of the fingers

Clenching - unclenching a fist. This is a very simple exercise and is usually recommended to start with. Touching fingers. The tip of the thumb touches all the other fingers in turn. Spreading fingers. Place your hands on the table, spread and connect your fingers. Perform as forcefully as possible. Finger lifting. Hands on the table, raise and lower each finger in turn. Rotate with fingers. This exercise is similar to the previous one, but we not only raise our fingers, but also rotate them either clockwise or counterclockwise. Claws. We bend and straighten the nail and middle phalanges of the fingers.

Methods and periods of exercise therapy

Complexes of physical therapy depend on the stage of development of the disease and the physical characteristics of the patient.

The group method of preventive physical education takes place under the supervision of a therapist in specialized rooms. There are up to 10 people in a group.

The advisory method is used during the period of stable remission after a course of treatment. In this case, a patient with arthritis of the fingers and hands can do physical exercises at home. This approach requires periodic visits and examination by a rheumatologist.

The third method is individual training. This type of gymnastics is suitable for patients with complications in the last stages of the disease.

Gymnastics are prescribed by a rheumatologist, with the selection of an individual system for each patient.

All methods of exercise therapy are divided into 3 periods:

The first stage is to prepare the joints for stress. Exercises are performed for 10 minutes for 2-3 days.
At the main stage, the arm muscles and joint tissues are strengthened. Gymnastics are performed for 15–20 minutes for two weeks.
The final period lasts up to 5 days before discharge; at this stage, the set of exercises that the patient will perform at home is finally determined.

Additional help for arthritis of the fingers

In addition to a set of exercises to work out the fingers and hands, the patient must adhere to a certain diet. Proper nutrition is the basis for healthy joints.

For any type of arthritis, it is necessary to completely avoid or minimize the consumption of salt, fried, smoked, fatty, pickled, spicy, sweet, baked goods, carbonated drinks, alcohol, etc.
In this case, doctors prescribe a diet called “Table No. 6.” The menu does not contain chocolate products, red wine, beans and many other products that have a destructive effect on the body when sick.
We lean on whole grain porridge, cottage cheese, meat, fish, seafood, dairy, cheeses, vegetables and fruits. Acceptable heat treatment options include steaming, baking and boiling.
A balanced diet rich in calcium and omega acids promotes rapid weight loss and is beneficial for the normal development of joints.
As an additional useful “feed”, a variety of folk recipes may not be superfluous. For example, an alcohol tincture of bird cherry bark is excellent for arthritis of the fingers. It is used as a compress to relieve pain and saturate it with useful substances.

Physiotherapeutic and other procedures are also relevant:

Ultraviolet irradiation.
Electrophoresis.
Phonophoresis (analogous to electrophoresis, only the drug is administered via a sound wave).
Magnetic pulsed field therapy.
Ultrasonic exposure.
Balneotherapy.
Reflexology.
UHF or exposure to ultra-high frequency waves.
Treatment with mud.
Manual therapy.
Laser therapy.
Paraffin wraps.

The optimal treatment format, which will complement the set of exercises, should be discussed with your doctor. He will conduct the necessary research and draw up a program.

Recommendations for gymnastics

The effectiveness of hand and finger exercises for rheumatoid arthritis can be determined by the reduction in stiffness of movement.

To achieve maximum effect, you should perform the exercises systematically, adhering to the advice and recommendations of rheumatologists and methodologists.

General recommendations for exercise therapy:

You need to start gymnastics with a warm-up. Before starting exercise, it is better to drink an analgesic, this will relax your joints and make training easier.
If you feel stiffness in your movements, pre-warm your joints with a heating pad or hand bath.
Movements should be performed smoothly, without sudden movements or effort. Do each 5-7 times.
The number of exercises performed depends on your capabilities. The duration of classes is about 20 minutes per day.
The optimal time for gymnastics is the middle of the day; training at night is not recommended.
It is recommended to repeat physical exercises up to 8 times a day - you do not need to create specific conditions to do exercises.
You can train your joints anywhere and anytime. It is important to regularly perform therapeutic exercises for your fingers.
Physical therapy should not cause discomfort. If painful sensations appear, you should not continue to perform these movements until consulting a doctor.
It is advisable to do a short warm-up in the morning, but the rest of the time the patient decides when to exercise.

Contraindications to the use of exercises

There are no special contraindications to performing physical therapy. However, there are some restrictions on the use of gymnastics for hands and fingers for arthritis:

Why is finger exercises necessary for arthrosis of the hands?

relapses accompanied by an acute form of inflammation;
increased body temperature;
sudden changes in pressure;
vascular diseases, pathologies of the heart, lungs and kidneys;
respiratory failure;
oncological diseases;
acute infections.

Hand exercises for arthrosis and arthritis

Charging is selected based on the location of inflammation of the pathological process. For inflammation of the joints of the hands, this is gymnastics of the fingers and wrist joints:

1. Turn your hands outstretched in front of you, palms up and down.

2. Rotate your hands clockwise and counterclockwise. Your arms should be stretched out in front of you, your palms clenched into a fist.

3. Place your palms on a flat surface. First, move your hands up and down, then you should perform these movements alternately with the fingers of one palm, without lifting the hand from the surface.

4. Take turns touching the tip of your thumb to the base of your little, ring, middle and index fingers.

5. Roll the ball on any surface.

6. Holding a soft ball in your hand, squeeze and unclench your palm. Instead of a ball, you can squeeze a rubber expander.

7. Rubbing your palms together.

8. Clenching and unclenching your palm into a fist. You need to make sure that when squeezing, your thumb is on top of the rest.

Simple and effective gymnastic exercises for arthrosis of the hands

9. Flexion and extension of the phalanges of the fingers.

10. With your palm on the table, alternately lift and rotate your fingers clockwise and counterclockwise.

11. Scrolling a pencil on the table with your palm. Place your hands on the pencil and roll it from your wrist to your fingertips. A similar action can be done by holding a pencil vertically between your palms.

12. Wrap an elastic band around your hand and forcefully move your thumb to the side.

13. Bring your thumb towards your little finger and back.

14. Close your fingers, and then very carefully bend your hands, straightening your arms in front of you, as in the photo. If you find it difficult to do the movement, skip this step.

These exercises receive positive comments from people suffering from arthritis in their hands. However, you need to remember that the article contains general recommendations, and before you start using them, be sure to consult with your doctor.

Visual aids for performing exercises for fingers and hands with arthrosis and arthritis can be viewed in the video:

A set of exercises for treatment and prevention

Treatment and prevention of arthritis of the fingers is always accompanied by exercise therapy. A properly selected complex is effective. Helps stop, slow down the course of the disease or prevent its occurrence in the future.

Sample list of exercises:

We take a tennis ball in our hands. Slowly, without haste, we squeeze and unclench it.
Roll the tennis ball on the table with your fingertips for a minute. We involve the affected joints in the process as much as possible.
Rub your palms thoroughly against each other. We make a movement as if we are warming up our hands.
Use the tip of your thumb to touch the rest of your fingers. Repeat for each hand separately.
We spread our fingers as far apart as possible. Then we bring them back together.
Place your palms on a flat surface. We lift each finger in turn and make rotational movements in different directions.
In the same way, from the same position we bend/extend our fingers.
We clench our hands into fists and immediately unclench them. We do it slowly at first, then gradually speed up.

Interesting fact. For the exercises to be effective, you must perform them at least 10 times every day. The bigger, the better.

Water gymnastics

Hydrokinesitherapy - therapeutic exercises in a pool with thermal water very effectively relax the joints of the whole body, including the upper limbs.

Water gymnastics for hand joints with arthritis effectively helps in the fight against rheumatic arthritis. Warm water relieves pain and muscles relax because in water the body does not feel its weight. This type of gymnastics is suitable even for patients with severe disabilities.

Exercise therapy complex for rheumatoid arthritis and its duration

For arthritis of the joints of the hands and fingers, hand movements performed while swimming have a beneficial effect.

It is also effective to perform exercises by immersing yourself in water in a standing position. You can make circular movements with your shoulder and wrist joints, move your fingers up and down and rotate them.

It is not recommended to resort to water diseases for patients with allergies to chlorine, open wounds and ulcers, sexually transmitted diseases, inflammation of the throat, eyes and ears.

Prevention

To prevent the development of arthritis or to maintain remission, it is important to strictly follow the recommendations of specialists - to carry out prevention:

We are reviewing the diet. We take into account that each type of arthritis has individual nutritional nuances.
We exclude bad habits - drinking alcohol and smoking.
We lead an active lifestyle. We are doing sports. We do exercises in the morning. Be sure to train your fingers by doing a set of exercises selected by your doctor or on your own. If arthritis is detected, the loads are additionally adjusted by the doctor taking into account the degree of damage.
We fight other diseases, including infectious diseases, in acute cases. They provide additional stress on the body, which negatively affects the treatment of arthritis in general.

Functional motor test

To determine which set of exercises is suitable for a patient with arthritis of the hands and fingers, the doctor conducts special functional motor tests. The specialist observes how the patient performs the actions assigned to him and calculates points for their implementation. The final assessment allows us to determine whether the patient has limitations of a functional-motor nature and is able to independently care for himself and perform work.

The results of the test determine which method of exercise therapy will be most appropriate for a particular person.

Self-medication for arthritis is strictly prohibited. This also applies to physical therapy. A course of therapeutic and preventive gymnastics is prescribed by a rheumatologist or physiotherapist.

Physical therapy is a simple and effective way to prevent and treat arthritis. Thanks to a set of simple workouts, you can get rid of stiffness in movements, pain and improve the motor function of your hands. Gymnastics will help you forget about the discomfort that arthritis has brought into your life.

Sources: https://pikabu.ru/story/gimnastika_pri_artrite_paltsev_ruk_5049556 https://zen.yandex.ru/media/systavi/10-effektivnyh-uprajnenii-dlia-palcev-ruk-pri-artroze https://www.3vozrast.ru/ article/health/svedenia/13290/https://econet.ru/articles/135979-10-prostyh-uprazhneniy-dlya-kistey-ruk-pri-artrozehttps://www.liveinternet.ru/users/3347825/post309948931https: //ostamed.ru/bolezni/artrit/gimnastika-dlya-paltsev-ruk-pri-artrite.html

Gymnastics - a means to prevent arthritis

For arthritis of the finger joints, special exercises should be performed repeatedly. This does not require special conditions, you can perform them even outside the home, the required number of repetitions is up to 9 times daily, which is quite doable for any person. Thanks to active gymnastic exercises, blood circulation improves and inflammatory activity decreases. The fluid accumulated in the periarticular tissues and cavities begins to dissolve, swelling and redness subsides. Gymnastics for arthritis of the hands helps to increase muscle tone . Motor ability in the joints improves, and hand motor skills are gradually restored. If all recommendations are followed, the patient’s general condition improves significantly. Basic rules of health-improving exercises for arthritis:

systematic and regular implementation of classes;
perform exercises during an exacerbation of the disease;
train both hands at the same time;
monitor free breathing and pace.

Special gymnastics for arthritis consists of simple movements that must be performed in such a way as not to experience discomfort. Many people often develop the disease on one finger of one hand. This may be the beginning of the development of disease in all joints of the hand. In any case, exercises should be performed on both hands. Before starting the exercises, you should consult with your doctor, he will recommend the set of exercises that you need. As a rule, gymnastics for the hands is easy to perform; each exercise should be done an average of 8 times, it all depends on the severity of the disease and general well-being. At first it will be a little difficult to perform individual movements, but gradually the joints will become stronger, the time of exercises and their quality will increase.

Healing exercises for arthritis for hands

The exercises can be performed at any time, including at work, as they are easy to perform and do not require special conditions. The speed and intensity of exercise should not cause discomfort to the patient.

Finger exercises should be carried out systematically if the patient wants to achieve the following effects:

pain relief;
improving the functional ability of joints;
acceleration of blood flow to the area of pathology;
weakening of the inflammatory process;
restoration of muscle tone;
improvement of metabolic processes.

Only correct implementation of the technique can lead to positive dynamics and improved motor skills in diseases of the joints of the upper extremities. Patients note a decrease in pain and an increase in mobility on the 7-8th day of training, but much depends on the individual characteristics of the body. The patient should carefully study the video materials and professional literature before the lesson. The optimal solution would be to perform the first exercises under the guidance of a sports instructor, who will help you choose the optimal number of approaches and their intensity.

A set of special exercises for arthritis

Clenching of fists. This is a simple movement, and as a rule, experts usually advise starting your exercises with it.
Touch. The tip of the thumb must touch all fingers in turn.
We place our hands with our palms on a hard surface, making spreading and connecting movements of our fingers. It is advisable to perform this exercise with some effort.
We distribute our palms on the surface of a cabinet or table, alternately moving each finger up and down.
Rotational movements. Make circular movements with your fingers.
Flexion and extension of the nails and middle phalanges of the fingers on any hard surface.

Gymnastic exercises with a pencil

The palms should be placed on a cylindrical object lying on the table. We roll the pencil with our hands so that it starts moving from the beginning of the palm and ends at the fingertips. The same exercise can also be performed by holding an object between the palms of your hands and rolling it back and forth. To perform this exercise, you do not need to look for a special stick; a felt-tip pen or pencil will do just fine. It will be even better if you take a diamond-shaped pencil rather than a round one.

Exercises with a ball for arthritis

We alternately roll the ball on a hard surface with our left and right hands. You can also perform the motion by rolling the ball in a circle. We do this activity in different directions and with different hands. For these simple exercises, a regular tennis ball or something suitable will do. Good results for arthritis are achieved by performing exercises with a round object made of wood. A rounded block with a diameter of no more than 5 centimeters is suitable for this purpose. You can always take it with you to work or your dacha and, if possible, complete the necessary activities.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated in these gymnastic exercises for the fingers and joints of the hands, however, performing them daily will help improve the mobility of the joints and their functionality.

Be sure to consult your doctor before treating any illness. This will help take into account individual tolerance, confirm the diagnosis, ensure the correctness of treatment and eliminate negative drug interactions. If you use prescriptions without consulting your doctor, it is entirely at your own risk. All information on the site is presented for informational purposes and is not a medical aid. All responsibility for use lies with you. Gymnastics for arthritis of the fingers is one of the means of treatment Despite the development of medical technologies and the emergence of new drugs, gymnastics for arthritis of the fingers remains an important and quite effective method of treating this disease. The goals of gymnastics are to help achieve the main goals of treatment, which are to relieve pain and inflammation in the joints. For arthritis of small joints, such as the joints of the hand, the exercises are performed repeatedly. You don’t need special conditions to perform them; you can even do them at your desk, so the recommended number of repetitions (6–8 times a day) is quite realistic and affordable. Thanks to such active gymnastics, blood circulation improves. This leads to a decrease in inflammatory activity. The fluid accumulated in the cavities of the joints and periarticular tissues is absorbed. Along with the resorption of the fluid, the swelling subsides, swelling and redness decrease. Exercise increases muscle tone. All these changes help restore and improve the motor capabilities of the joints and restore finger dexterity. With active exercise, a very significant improvement in general condition is also possible.

Symptoms of arthritis in the fingers

How do you know when it’s time to start doing exercises as part of the treatment for finger arthritis? There are several main symptoms that, taken together, will accurately determine whether you have a disease or not:

Feeling of discomfort and stiffness in the affected areas.
The skin over the knuckles has a red tint.
Swelling.
Hand mobility is limited. It feels like they are wearing a glove that is too narrow.
The pain, which first occurs with any movement of the fingers, then spreads to the joints and torments the patient even during periods of rest.
Creaks and crunches while driving.
Deformation – the appearance of lumps, knots and curvature of the limbs.
Meteosensitivity is a characteristic sensation of aching due to sudden changes in pressure, temperature, dampness, etc.

Interesting fact. The general “picture” of arthritis is also characterized by weakness, fever, rash and other lesions.

Types of Arthritis

Symptoms vary depending on the type of arthritis:

Rheumatoid. Negatively affects the immune system. Immune cells mistake joint cells for foreign ones and actively fight them, trying to destroy them. The result is chronic inflammation.
Traumatic. It appears with various injuries, from bruises to fractures of the fingers, against the background of increased load on the damaged area. Characteristic for builders and athletes.
Psoriatic. Occurs against the background of psoriasis in the absence of full treatment or during an exacerbation.
Infectious. Develops under the influence of infection. People with chronic diseases are more susceptible to this type of arthritis: tonsillitis, caries, allergies, etc.
Dystrophic. It appears against the background of impaired metabolism, hypothermia, and insufficient intake of useful, nutritional components into the body.

Diagnostics

Visual observations alone are often not enough. An accurate diagnosis is made and confirmed as a result of the following examinations:

Laboratory tests. With their help, doctors determine the presence of an inflammatory process, infections, rheumatoid factor, and antibodies to various infectious pathogens.
Ultrasound. Determination of the volume of exudate in the joint cavity. Its excessive amount is a clear sign of inflammation.
Radiography. Detection of bone deformities.
MRI. Determination of various changes in joints and periarticular tissues that are uncharacteristic for a healthy body.

Execution rules:

Regularity and consistency of exercises, Performing exercises during remission or in a subacute state, Performing the entire complex with both hands, Free breathing, Slow pace. Therapeutic exercises for arthritis of the fingers are represented by simple movements that must be performed in such a way as not to cause pain. Arthritis of the thumb joint very often develops. This may be the beginning of a systemic process or an isolated lesion of the joint in only one arm. In any case, the exercises are performed on all fingers and both hands. Before starting classes, you need to get recommendations from your doctor, he will recommend some specific exercises. As a rule, these exercises are very simple; each of them is performed 6–12 times, depending on the condition of the joints and sensations. At first it may be difficult to perform some movements, but over time the joints develop, the amplitude of movements and their accuracy increase.

Technique for performing exercise therapy

General rules

To achieve a positive result when the joints of the fingers are affected, you must follow the principles:

Classes are held daily 2-4 times a day. The optimal training duration is 10-20 minutes.
Morning exercises of the hands immediately after waking up increases the speed of recovery.
Each exercise is performed using both hands.
The pace of the workout should be slow and movements should be smooth.
The patient must ensure that breathing is deep and calm.
The number of approaches is 6-10 depending on the stage of the disease.
Each workout should begin with simple squeezing and unclenching of the palms.

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Warm-up exercises

Therapeutic exercises for arthritis of the fingers may consist of the following set of light loads, which can be performed in any order:

Exercises with a pencil

To improve fine motor skills with arthrosis, doctors recommend using available diamond- or cylindrical-shaped tools. For example, your palms can be placed on a pencil located on a flat surface. It is necessary to roll the stick from the wrist to the fingertips. Then a perpendicular effect is shown from the right side of the palm to the left. The optimal number of approaches is 8-16 times.

The task can be performed on the go without using a surface, simply by rolling a cylindrical object held between your palms. This does not reduce the efficiency.

Exercises with a ball

To perform it correctly, you will need a tennis ball or an identical size ball. You can also use a wooden ball with an uneven surface measuring from 3 to 6 cm. The patient should roll it alternately with his palms in a circle and back and forth. Rolling two balls in opposite directions at the same time helps with arthritis, as coordination further improves.

Read also: Reactive arthritis treatment in children

Training according to Bubnovsky

For the treatment of hand arthritis, the kinesiotherapist offers the following treatment complex:

To make sure that the execution is correct, it is worth conducting the first classes in front of a mirror or with a partner sitting opposite. It is extremely important to accurately memorize the technique in the first stages, so as not to harm the joints in the future. To increase the effectiveness of light physical activity for arthrosis, you should massage your hands and take hot baths with aromatic oils.

Some exercises for arthritis of the fingers

Exercises with a ball

We roll the ball on the table with either our left hand or our right. We perform circular movements, rolling the ball on the table. We do this in different directions with both hands alternately. A tennis ball or similar sized ball is suitable for performing these exercises. It is also useful to do similar exercises with a wooden ball that has a ribbed surface. A small ball with a diameter of 4–5 cm is quite enough. You can always carry it with you and roll it between your palms at every opportunity. As you can see, there are no complex movements in gymnastics for the fingers, however, performing them regularly helps to significantly improve the condition of the joints and their functions. Source

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