This leaflet provides instructions for 7 gentle hand exercises that can help reduce pain and stiffness from rheumatoid arthritis. The exercises involve bending and moving fingers, wrists, and thumbs in different ways. They are most effective if done regularly in small amounts daily rather than intensely occasionally. Mild aching may occur but should not persist for more than a couple hours after exercising.

1. Exercise 8
This leaflet is available at the
following Locations:
With your fingers straight, bend your wrist
sideways as in waving. Try to keep your
forearm still. Repeat up to 10 times.
Patient Information for the
Gloucestershire Health Community
Cheltenham General Hospital
08454 223040
Cirencester Hospital
01285 884583
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Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
08454 228302
Moreton District Hospital
01608 812618
St. Paul’s Medical Centre
01242 215037
Stroud General Hospital
01453 562266
Summary
Regular exercises like those illustrated
in this leaflet can help pain and stiffness
associated with arthritis and improve hand
function.
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Arthritis Care Helpline: 0808 800 4050
www.arthritiscare.org.uk
References:
Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Arthritis
Care, ISBN-903419-34-4.
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Winchcombe Hospital
01242 605230
Further information:
Arthritis Research Campaign:
0870 8505000 www.arc.org.uk
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Tewkesbury Hospital
01684 853933
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GHPI0637_04_06
Author: Physiotherapy
Review due: April 2009
Hand exercises
for patients with
Rheumatoid Arthritis

2. Exercise 2
Regular gentle exercise of your hands can
help pain and stiffness associated with
arthritis. Begin the exercises described in
this leaflet gently and build up gradually.
Exercise 5
Press palms and fingers gently together.
Hold for 5 seconds and repeat up to 3
times.
This leaflet is intended for patients who
have been assessed by a rheumatology
consultant, nurse or therapist and who are
experiencing hand pain or stiffness.
With hand flat and fingers straight slide
each finger in turn towards the thumb and
then back to the middle. Repeat up to 5
times.
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The exercises are more effective if
performed a little every day rather than a
lot every now and then. Do the exercises at
a time that suits you.
It is common to experience mild aching
on starting new exercises; if this continues
and is worse for more than two hours after
completing the exercise, do less the next
time.
Exercise 3
Bend your fingers in to touch the middle
of your palm, assisting with your other
hand if required. Repeat up to 10 times.
If you are unable to tolerate the exercises
further advice can be obtained from your
local Physiotherapy Department (contact
details overleaf).
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Exercise 1
Keeping your forearm flat on a table or
the arm of your chair, make a loose fist and
bend your wrist backwards. Try not to let
the fist move to the right or left during the
movement. Repeat up to 10 times
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Exercise 4
With hand facing down on a table, lift
each finger individually off the table.
Repeat up to 5 times.
Exercise 6
With hand flat bring your thumb away
from your index finger and then back
again. Repeat up to 5 times.
Exercise 7
Bend your thumb tip to touch each of your
fingers in turn. Repeat up to 3 times.