Use of Therapy Putty for Carpal Tunnel and More
Therapy putty is useful for a variety of different diagnoses, including:
Carpal tunnel syndrome Hand weakness after a stroke or cervical radiculopathy Trigger finger After tendon surgery After a hand fracture
Therapy putty can also be used to help maintain hand strength during periods of immobilization in a shoulder sling after a shoulder or elbow injury or surgery.
There are many different ways to improve hand and finger strength. You can use a towel to improve hand grip, or specialized exercise tools like a Digi-Flex may be used to help strengthen your hand, fingers, or thumb.
If you are experiencing hand or finger weakness, visit your physical therapist to learn exercises you can do for your specific condition. Your PT may use therapy putty to help improve your strength, and he or she may have you use therapy putty as part of your home exercise program.
This step by step exercise program can give you some ideas of putty exercises to do to help improve hand strength and mobility. Check-in with your healthcare provider before starting this, or any other, exercise program.
To perform the exercise, ball up your putty and hold it in your hand. Squeeze the putty and hold the tension for 3 to 5 seconds. Release the tension and relax for a few seconds. Then, repeat the gripping for 10 to 15 repetitions.
To perform the exercise, place your therapy putty on a flat surface and then slowly press into it with an open hand. Roll the palm of your hand over the putty to make a long putty tube. Ball the putty up again, and then repeat the rolling process five to 10 times.
On the final repetition, leave the putty rolled out in a hot dog shape, and proceed to the next exercise: the donut with finger extension.
To do this, shape your rolled out therapy putty into a circle, like a donut. Then place your fingers and thumb in the hole and slowly open up your hand.
Repeat the donut shaping and finger extension for 10 to 15 repetitions, and then move on to the next exercise.
To do so, simply make a small donut shape with the therapy putty, and then place two fingers in the hole. Slowly separate your fingers against the resistance of the putty.
When your fingers are separated, ball up the putty, roll it out and make a new donut shape. Repeat the exercise 10 to 15 repetitions.
To do this, make a small ball with your therapy putty, and then squeeze the ball between your fingers. Hold the tension for a few seconds, and then release.
Repeat the exercise 10 to 15 repetitions, and then move on to the next exercise.
To do this, make a small ball with your therapy putty, and then squeeze it between your thumb and the side of your fingers. Pretend you are gripping a key in between your thumb and fingers.
Hold the tension for a few seconds, and then release. Repeat the squeezing for 10 to 15 repetitions, and then move on to the final exercise.
To do so, make a small ball with the putty, and then grip it between your fingers and thumb. Be sure to press into the putty with your fingertips.
Use your fingers to squeeze the putty for 10 to 15 repetitions.
You should perform the putty exercises 3 or 4 times per week to improve hand and finger strength and to improve overall hand function. Be sure to stop an exercise and check with your healthcare provider or PT if it causes pain.
Therapy putty is a low cost, versatile exercise tool to help you improve your overall hand strength and function. By working on the exercises in this step-by-step program, you can be sure to maintain appropriate hand function to perform everyday tasks with ease.
