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Strengthening and Stretching exercises if you have Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand: Part 2

Patient information on strengthening and stretching exercises if you have rheumatoid arthritis of the hand.

Download and print as a PDF (761kB pdf)

Name and contact number of therapist:

Date issued:

What is this exercise programme for?

This programme of exercises is for people with rheumatoid arthritis. If you follow this programme, it will help to improve hand strength and function.

You may hear this programme called Strengthening and Stretching for Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand, or the SARAH programme.  

How often should I do these exercises?

Complete these daily.

Do 10 repetitions of each exercise.

If this causes no increase in pain or other difficulties, increase this to 2 sets of 10  repetitions (record date here)

If this causes no increase in pain or other difficulties, increase this to 3 sets of 10 repetitions (record date here)

You can increase the difficulty of the exercises by squeezing with more effort as discussed with your therapist.

Therapist comments:

Exercise 1: wrist bend backwards

wrist bend backwards
1. Sit with elbows tucked into your side and bent to 90. Hold the elastic band in both hands with the wrists bent inwards. Make sure your arms are far enough apart so there is no slack in the elastic band.
 
wrist bend backwards
2. Keeping your forearms still, bend your wrists backwards stretching the band as much as comfortably possible.
wrist bend backwards
3. Pause for 2 seconds and then very slowly return to the starting position.
If it is more comfortable, you can rest your hands and forearms on a table while doing the movement.

Exercise 2: hand squeeze

hand squeeze
1. Hold the putty in your hand as shown.
2. Squeeze as hard as you comfortably can for 2 seconds. Relax.
You can do this with both hands at the same time. If it is more comfortable, you can rest your hands and forearm on a table while doing the exercise.

Exercise 3: squeeze fingers

hand squeezes using your fingers with putty.
1. Roll the putty into a sausage.
2. Place your hands flat on a table with the putty between your fingers as shown.
hand squeezes using your fingers with putty.
3. Squeeze your fingers together as much as comfortably possible while keeping them straight.
hand squeezes using your fingers with putty.
4. Repeat with the other fingers as shown.

Exercise 4: finger pinch

1. Roll the putty into a long sausage. Squeeze the putty between your thumb and first finger tip as shown.
2. Squeeze as hard as you comfortably can.

finger pinches using putty.

3. Repeat with the other fingers with both hands. You can do both hands at the same time.

finger pinches using putty.
finger pinches using putty.
finger pinches using putty.

Who can I contact for further information and advice?

Please do not hesitate to contact your Rheumatology Occupational Therapist on:

Brighton General Hospital 01273 696011 Ext. 4071

Princess Royal Hospital 01444 441881 Ext. 68266

Southlands or Worthing Hospitals 01273 446060

Information:

The information in this leaflet is for guidance purposes only and is in no way intended to replace professional clinical advice by a qualified practitioner. 

Today’s research is tomorrow’s treatments. That’s why UHSx is proud to be a research-active Trust. Find out how you can get involved.  
 
Visit our website www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/research-and-innovation/information-for-patients-and-public or scan the QR code: 
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