Therapeutic Putty Exercises for Strengthening Muscles of the Fingers, Hand and Forearm
In order to carry out these activities playdoh can be used; however Therapeutic Putty is also useful as it is firmer and can bought in different strengths. A number of companies sell therapeutic putty. ‘Thinking putty’ is also available from some online stores and is similar.
Finger Co contractors
Push individual fingers into putty, ensuring finger is held straight but not hyperextended.
Pincer Grip
Place putty between thumb and index finger, press fingers together to pinch at the putty and release.
Lateral Pincer Grip
Place putty between pad of thumb and radial border of index finger and squeeze.
Finger Flexors
Place putty in palm of hand with thumb cupped around and fingers flexed over. Squeeze putty whilst avoiding hyperextension of the fingers and thumb.
Tripod Pincer Grip
Form putty into a ball, pinch putty between the tip of the thumb index and middle fingertips until the fingers press through the putty.
Whole Hand Squeeze
Place putty in the hand with fingers and thumb wrapped around. Squeeze the putty so it becomes flat.
Individual Finger Extension
Make putty into a sausage and wrap around one finger whilst in a flexed position. Grip the ends of the putty with the other hand and extend the finger the putty is wrapped around.
Repeat exercise on each finger.
Mass Finger Extension
Keep fingers straight whilst using the palm to roll out a tube of putty.
Thumb dig (CMC strengthening)
Form the putty into a cylindrical shape and rest it in the palm of the hand. Push thumb through the putty until it reaches the palm.
Finger Spread
Form the putty into a pancake shape lying on a table. Bunch the fingertips together and place into the putty. Spread out all the fingers at once, enlarging the pancake as much as possible.
Wrist Flexion
Rest the forearm on a table, palm up, allowing the hand to ‘hang down’ over the edge. Grip the putty with the fingertips of this hand and attempt to flex the wrist while holding the putty steady with the other hand.
This exercise can be repeated with the other hand.
‘Rooftop’ Exercise
Form the putty into a ball, form a ‘rooftop’ with the fingers with the thumb underneath. Place the putty ball between the thumb and fingers and squeeze, keeping the fingers straight but not hyperextended.
Finger Abduction
Form the putty into a small ring and place two fingers inside. Spread fingers apart to stretch the putty into a larger ring.
Repeat, using different pairs of fingers until all of the fingers have been exercised.
Finger Adduction
Form the putty into a sausage, place between two fingers and repeat as above.
