Rheumatoid arthritis is often accompanied by "morning stiffness" symptoms, how to exercise fingers to relieve pain

Rheumatoid arthritis is often accompanied by

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic disease of unknown etiology, mainly inflammatory synovitis. It is characterized by polyarticular, symmetrical, and aggressive arthritis of small joints of hands and feet, often associated with extra-articular involvement and positive serum rheumatoid factor, which can lead to joint deformity and loss of function. Morning Stiffness: subjective sensation of stiffness in joints of fingers upon awakening in morning. This is a non-specific manifestation of joint inflammation, duration of which is proportional to severity of inflammation.

So, how to deal with "morning stiffness" of fingers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis? How to alleviate discomfort and movement disorders caused by "morning stiffness" through scientific and intelligent exercises?

1. Clench your fist

Hand and finger exercises help strengthen hands and fingers, increase range of motion, and relieve pain. Stretch until you feel tension and feel pain. Start with this simple extension:

  • Clench your fist lightly, wrapping your fingers around your thumb.
  • Hold down for 30 to 60 seconds. Spread your fingers.
  • Repeat at least four times with both hands.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis is often accompanied by "morning stiffness" symptoms, how to exercise fingers to relieve pain

    2. Finger stretch

    Try this stretch to reduce pain and improve arm mobility:

  • Place your hands on a table or other flat surface.
  • Gently straighten your fingers, straightening surface as much as possible without straining joints.
  • Hold for 30 to 60 seconds, then release.
  • Repeat at least four times with each hand.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis is often accompanied by "morning stiffness" symptoms, how to exercise fingers to relieve pain

    3. Claw Extension

    This stretch helps to improve range of motion of fingers.

  • Extend your arm in front of you with your palm facing you.
  • Bend your fingertips and touch the bottom of each joint. Your hands should be shaped like claws.
  • Hold for 30 to 60 seconds, then release. Repeat at least four times with each hand.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis is often accompanied by "morning stiffness" symptoms, how to exercise fingers to relieve pain

    4. Clutch Booster

    This exercise will help you open doorknobs and hold things without dropping them.

  • Take a soft ball in palm of your hand and squeeze it as hard as you can.
  • Hold for a few seconds and release.
  • Repeat 10 to 15 times with each hand. Perform these exercises two to three times a week, but take a 48-hour break between sessions. Do not perform this exercise if thumb joint is damaged.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis is often accompanied by "morning stiffness" symptoms, how to exercise fingers to relieve pain

    5. Clamp reinforcement

    This exercise helps to strengthen muscles of fingers and thumb. It will make it easier for you to turn key, unpack your food and gain access to gas station.

  • Pinch soft foam ball.
  • Hold down for 30 to 60 seconds.
  • Repeat 10-15 times with both hands. Perform these exercises two to three times a week, but take a 48-hour break between sessions. Do not perform this exercise if thumb joint is damaged.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis is often accompanied by "morning stiffness" symptoms, how to exercise fingers to relieve pain

    6. Raise your finger

    Use this exercise to increase range of motion and flexibility of your fingers.

  • Place your hands palm down on a table or other surface.
  • Lightly lift one finger off table and then lower it.
  • You can also raise all your fingers and your thumb at same time and then move them down.
  • Repeat eight to twelve times with each arm.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis is often accompanied by "morning stiffness" symptoms, how to exercise fingers to relieve pain

    7. Thumb extension

    Strengthening your thumb muscles will help you grip heavy objects like cans and bottles.

  • Place your hands on table. Wrap your hand with an elastic band at bottom of your knuckles.
  • Slightly move your thumb as far away from your fingers as possible.
  • Hold for 30 to 60 seconds, then release.
  • Repeat 10-15 times with both hands. You can do these exercises two to three times a week with 48 hours of rest between sessions.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis is often accompanied by "morning stiffness" symptoms, how to exercise fingers to relieve pain

    8. Thumb curl

    This exercise helps to increase range of motion of thumb.

  • Start with your arm extended out in front of you, palm up.
  • Extend thumb as far as possible towards other fingers. Then bend your thumb into your palm so that it touches base of your little finger.
  • Hold down for 30 to 60 seconds.
  • Repeat at least four times with both thumbs.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis is often accompanied by "morning stiffness" symptoms, how to exercise fingers to relieve pain

    9. Tactile thumb feeling

    This exercise helps to increase range of motion of thumb, which helps to use objects such as toothbrushes, forks, spoons and pens while writing.

  • Show your hands in front of you with straight wrists.
  • Lightly touch your thumb to each of four fingertips, one at a time, forming an "O".
  • Hold each stretch for 30 to 60 seconds. Repeat at least four times with each hand.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis is often accompanied by "morning stiffness" symptoms, how to exercise fingers to relieve pain

    10. Thumb stretch

    Try two thumb joint stretches:

    1. Extend your hand with palm facing you. Gently bend tip of your thumb towards base of your index finger. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds. Release and repeat four times.
    2. Extend your hand with palm facing you. Gently extend your thumb across your palm using knuckle of your lower thumb. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds. Release and repeat four times.
    Rheumatoid arthritis is often accompanied by "morning stiffness" symptoms, how to exercise fingers to relieve pain

    11. Exercise Tips

    If your hands and fingers are sore and stiff, try warming them up before exercising. This can make movement and stretching easier. Use a heating pad or soak them in warm water for about 5-10 minutes. Or, for deeper warming, rub your hands with oil, put on rubber gloves, and soak in warm water for a few minutes.

    Rheumatoid arthritis is often accompanied by "morning stiffness" symptoms, how to exercise fingers to relieve pain

    12. Clay crafts

    Playing with clay, clay modeling is a suitable way to increase mobility and dexterity of fingers. It doesn't even feel like an exercise. Just follow kids' directions: roll plasticine into a ball, roll it into long "snakes" with palm of your hand, or squeeze spikes on dinosaur with your fingertips.