Common Hand and Finger Exercises

A mobile-friendly guide to common hand therapy exercises, including tendon gliding, joint blocking, wrist motion, and wrist alphabet-writing exercises.

Recommended frequency: 2 sets of 15 reps; 2-3 times per day, or as directed by your doctor or therapist.

Differential Tendon Gliding

Differential tendon gliding positions: straight fingers, table top, hook, straight-fist position, and loose fist.
Differential tendon gliding positions: straight fingers, table top, hook, straight-fist position, and loose fist.
  1. Begin with your wrist supported and fingers straight.
  2. Bend your bottom knuckles so your fingers are in a table top position. Return to straight.
  3. Bend your bottom two knuckles, reaching for your palm.
  4. Bend your top two knuckles, trying to touch the top of the finger to the bottom. Return to straight.
  5. Make a loose fist with your thumb out to the side. Return straight.

Keep your wrist straight-to-slightly-extended during the exercise. Going through all positions is considered one repetition.

For doctor/therapist use: _____ sets _____ reps _____x/day

DIP Joint Blocking

DIP joint blocking exercise for the end joint of the finger.
DIP joint blocking exercise for the end joint of the finger.
  1. Begin with the palm up, supporting your involved hand with your other hand just below the end joint.
  2. Bend and straighten the end joint, holding each position for 3-5 seconds.

Support the middle joint only enough so it does not bend. It is okay if the other fingers move during this exercise.

For doctor/therapist use: _____ sets _____ reps _____x/day

PIP Joint Blocking

PIP joint blocking exercise for the middle joint of the finger.
PIP joint blocking exercise for the middle joint of the finger.
  1. Begin with the palm up, supporting your involved hand with your other hand just below the second joint.
  2. Bend and straighten your finger at the middle joint. Hold each position for 3-5 seconds.

It is okay if the other fingers move as well.

For doctor/therapist use: _____ sets _____ reps _____x/day

Wrist Flexion and Extension

Wrist flexion and extension starting position.
Wrist flexion and extension starting position.
Wrist flexion and extension movement position.
Wrist flexion and extension movement position.
  1. Begin by supporting the involved forearm with your opposite hand.
  2. Keep your fingers relaxed in a light fist, and slowly bend your wrist back and forth.

For doctor/therapist use: _____ sets _____ reps _____x/day

Wrist Circumduction - Alphabet Writing

Wrist circumduction alphabet-writing exercise with forearm support.
Wrist circumduction alphabet-writing exercise with forearm support.
  1. Begin by supporting your forearm with your opposite hand just below your wrist. You can rest your elbow on a table for added support.
  2. Keep your fingers in a loose fist.
  3. Practice writing the capital letters of the alphabet in the air, with the movement coming from your wrist.

As the movement becomes easier, the letters become smaller and more precise.

For doctor/therapist use: _____ sets _____ reps _____x/day