Many People with Parkinson’s Disease complain of stiffness and pain in their hands. This stiffness affects your everyday life, and the simplest tasks become difficult.
Years ago, I fell off a high ledge while hiking and snapped ligaments in my thumb. I hiked out a long way with a cold, wet bandana wrapped around it. I had to wear an immobilizing brace for 3 months, which resulted in my thumb being unable to move at all! Hand therapy and daily myofascial release enabled it to move again.
As you will see in the video below (scroll down), I have full range and function again. I never neglect my hand exercises, and neither should you!
All you will need to perform these 4 easy myofascial techniques to relieve your hand stiffness is a ball, a dowel, and a tabletop.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Start by placing your hand palm down flat, and let the table help with extension. You can assist with extension by picking up each finger.
- With your hand on a tabletop and the palm of your hand over a ball (tennis or lacrosse) roll it around in small circles with downward pressure.
- Roll that same ball or a slightly smaller one (squash ball) along the thumb line leading to the palm.
- Massage the outside of the hand in the webbing between the thumb and index finger with a small ball. You can also massage it with the opposite thumb and index finger.
- Roll a dowel along the “pinky” side of the hand to release the tissue along this area.
End by placing your hand palm down flat and let the table help with extension.
Do these techniques each day. Take your time, and gently feel the knots and adhesions release. Your hands are important so take care of them!
If you are interested in more hand flexibility exercises, check out my other blog post with a daily hand exercise video: https://rebelfitclub.com/the-best-parkinsons-exercises-to-improve-stiffness-and-your-handwriting/
- 💜 Kimberly