Pain in any of your upper extremities (UEs) can be extremely frustrating and interfere with your day-to-day activities. If you’re someone suffering from aches or pains in your hands, wrists, or arms, physical therapy exercises can likely help ease your pain.
What are some physical therapy exercises that might help with upper extremity aches and pains?
- Finger flexion and extension — To complete this upper extremity exercise, start with your arm at your side and bent at a 90-degree angle. Completely open your palm and fingers. Then, slowly close your palm and fingers so that you make a tight fist. Open them back up again. Repeat several times.
- Finger opposition — To do the finger opposition exercise, open your palm and fingers. Touch the tip of your thumb to each of your fingers starting with your index, then your middle, then ring, and finally your pinky. Make sure to hold your thumb and each finger together for a few seconds. When finished, repeat several more times.
- Wrist flexion and extension — This upper extremity exercise can be completed by first having an open palm. Start with your palm facing down, and move your fingers toward the ceiling so that your wrist bends. Then move your hand down so that your wrist bends again but in the opposite direction, and your fingers are pointed at the ground.
- Upright row — To complete the upright row, stand straight up and begin with your weights at the front of your hips. Then, pull the weights up to your chest so that your elbows are parallel with the ground, and then slowly lower back to the starting position. Be sure that you are not shrugging your shoulders during this exercise. Repeat several times.
- Lateral raise — To complete this exercise, stand up straight with your arms down by your sides. Make sure you place a weight in each hand. Lift your arms straight out so that they are parallel with the ground and your elbows are locked. Hold for a few seconds, and repeat this exercise several times.
These are just a few of the many different upper extremity exercises that a physical therapist could encourage you to complete during a PT session. These exercises are designed to facilitate muscle strengthening and flexibility in your hands, wrists, elbows, arms, and shoulders. Each one of these movements is designed to aid in reducing upper extremity aches and pains and improving quality of life.
Panther Physical Therapy wants to treat your UE pain
Panther Physical Therapy wants to help you find relief from your upper extremity aches and pains. Our team of highly skilled therapists is always being educated and trained in the latest treatment techniques to offer our patients.
You should be in control of your life, not your pain. If you’re suffering from upper extremity aches and pains and are looking for highly effective physical therapy treatment, contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment at one of our three locations nearest you.