Finger Fitness for Healthier Joints
By Brandi Goodman
The joints in your fingers can become just as stressed and sore as any other joints within your body. Finger fitness can help. To keep the joints in your hands and fingers healthy and working well, try out these exercises.
Finger Side-to-Sides
Put both hands together, fingers and palms touching. Take your thumbs and move them as best as you can to the right and to the left, repeating several times. Repeat the process with your pointer fingers and so on until all fingers have been moved. It can be difficult to keep the other digits straight as you attempt to move others, and that's OK. Just try your best -- with practice, you may be able to keep all of them still while you move a specific set.
Fist and Release
A simple exercise is to make a fist with your hand. Slowly release your fingers from the fist so they are stretched out again. Repeat these 10 times. Switch to your other hand. You can then try it with both hands at the same time. This is an easy option when you want to release some tension.
Claw Stretch
The claw stretch is similar to the fist and release. Instead of making fists, however, you're just going to fold your fingers in half. The tips of your fingers should reach your palms, but should not be touching your thumbs. This helps put focus on the joint in the middle of the finger.
Finger Lifts
Put your hands flat on a table or similar surface. One at a time, lift each finger on its own and hold it for several seconds before setting it back down. Repeat this at least 10 times per finger, working on one hand at a time.
Clasped-Hand Finger Lifts
Clasp both hands together so your fingers are interlocked. One at a time, lift up a finger to help gain individual finger strength. Lift all fingers of one hand first before doing the other side. Then, lift every other finger as they interlock, meaning your thumb on your left hand, and then the thumb on your right, and so forth.
Finger Rolls
Touch all your fingertips together until they almost form a circle. Keep your fingertips touching as you take both thumbs and roll them around each other -- forward a few times and backward a few times. Repeat this with your index fingers, the middle fingers, and so on, doing your best to hold your hands together and not let your fingertips slip.
Your fingers require exercise just as any other body parts do. Try some finger fitness to strengthen the joints within your digits and improve the overall health of your hands. You'll be glad you did.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in St. Petersburg, Fla.