Stroke Rehab at Home: Hand Therapy Exercises

Michelle Kowalewski Lantaigne, Occupational Therapist at Baystate Rehabilitation Care, shares simple hand exercises you can do at home while recovering from a stroke.

Among the most common symptoms in the days and weeks after a stroke is a loss of dexterity in one or both hands and weakened handgrip. These changes are a result of disrupted connections between the brain and the muscles of the hand. Without a strong neural connection, simple movements, like fully straightening your fingers or grasping objects, can become difficult and daily tasks can be challenging if not impossible. These exercises aid recovery.

Michelle demonstrates exercises including:

1. Face Cloth Scrunch & Squeeze
2. Face Cloth Roll & Squeeze
3. Water Bottle Pick-Up
4. Put Away Groceries
5. Card Flipping