Does physical therapy help thumb arthritis?
Your doctor or a physical therapist may recommend hand exercises. You can do these exercises to improve range of motion and improve your arthritis symptoms. Simple exercises can include a thumb stretch, in which you attempt to touch the tip of your thumb to just under your pinky finger.
How do you fix osteoarthritis in the thumb?
Nonsurgical Treatment
- Ice the joint for 5 to 15 minutes several times a day.
- Take an anti-inflammatory medication, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, to help reduce inflammation and swelling.
- Wear a supportive splint to limit the movement of your thumb, and allow the joint to rest and heal.
Which is the best physical treatment for osteoarthritis?
Walking, biking, swimming, tai chi, yoga, and water aerobics are all good aerobic exercises for people with osteoarthritis. Water exercise is especially ideal because of water’s soothing warmth and buoyancy. It’s a gentle way to exercise joints and muscles — plus it acts as resistance to help build muscle strength.
Does squeezing a ball help arthritis?
Try using one of those small, squishy “stress balls.” A study published by the nonprofit group Arthritis Institute of America found that squeezing a stress ball improved grip strength and relieved pain in adults with hand osteoarthritis (the most common type of arthritis).
What exercise can I do for arthritis in my thumb?
Thumb IP flexion Place your forearm and hand on a table with your affected thumb pointing up. With your other hand, hold your thumb steady just below the joint nearest your thumbnail. Bend the tip of your thumb downward, then straighten it. Repeat 8 to 12 times.
How do you treat arthritis in the thumb naturally?
10 Natural Remedies for Arthritis in Hands
- Hand Exercises.
- Acupuncture.
- Hot and Cold Therapy.
- Splinting.
- Capsaicin Creams.
- Fish Oil.
- SAM-e.
- Meditation.
How can I slow down osteoarthritis in my hands?
Moving your hands and fingers can help keep your ligaments and tendons flexible and increase the function of synovial fluid. Try regular hand exercises to strengthen muscles and relieve stiffness and pain. Simple exercises like flexing and bending, finger touching, and finger sliding may help keep your fingers limber.
Do hand massages help arthritis?
Scientific evidence has shown that a regular hand massage may help ease pain, increase hand strength, and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Hand massage can complement treatments for arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, neuropathy, and other conditions.
How do you heal arthritis in thumb?
Exercise for your thumbs. Your doctor or a physical therapist may recommend hand exercises.
Why should you have physical therapy for arthritis?
Why Should You Have Physical Therapy for Arthritis? Maintain or Increase Joint Range of Motion. Osteoarthritis can make a joint stiff. Strengthen the Muscles that Support an Arthritic Joint. When osteoarthritis causes protective cartilage to wear away in a joint, there can be painful friction between the joint’s bones. Improve Balance. Adjust Posture. Use Assistive Devices. Learn more.
What are some exercises for thumb pain?
Rubber Band Exercises. Rubber band exercises are ideal for thumb pain from constant repetitive use, such as texting or typing on a key board. They also help with strengthening the thumb’s base joint. Wrap an elastic band around your thumb and index finger.
What arm exercises can I do with arthritis in thumb joints?
First, hold your left hand out with all of your fingers straight. Bend your thumb inward toward your palm. Stretch for the bottom of your pinky finger with your thumb. If you can’t reach your pinky, don’t worry. Just stretch your thumb as far as you can. Hold the position for a second or two, and then return your thumb to the starting position.