Anyone who has to hang onto, twist, turn, grasp or grip items—sometimes with force and control—needs strong hands: athletes; musicians; surgeons; chefs; gardeners; sports enthusiasts; knitters and quilters; construction workers; law enforcement and military; computer users . . . hand strength is for everyone!
A hand that is flexible and dexterous, with good muscle control, is more functional and capable, allowing you to carry out many tasks with enjoyment, and it is less likely to get injured.
Sports applications
holding onto/throwing a ball, sailing a boat, holding onto bicycle or motorcycle handlebars, jumping rope, swinging a club or racket
Day-to-day tasks
typing an e-mail, writing a list, holding a coffee cup, putting a log on the fire, holding onto a dog’s leash, inserting contact lenses
Hobbies/vocations
painting, woodworking, fly-tying, sewing, knitting, calligraphy
Hand pain, stiffness, and soreness make daily tasks difficult and uncomfortable and may even keep you from performing your job or participating in favorite activities. A regular hand exercise regimen is essential to minimize and relieve the effects of these common causes of hand discomfort:
Repetitive stress injuries
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Tendonitis
Arthritis
Tennis elbow and golf elbow
Mouse thumb
Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
If you’ve experienced an injury to your hand, you have no doubt realized how much you use your hands on a daily basis. With an injured hand, even the simplest tasks—brushing your teeth, taking a shower, getting dressed, driving, opening mail, grocery shopping—become difficult, if not impossible, tasks. An injured hand can keep you from your job or favorite pastime.
You want to get back to full functionality—not just soon, but now—and IronMind’s hand health tools can help you do just that. You’ll want to consult with your physical therapist before starting any hand therapy program for recovery from:
Over-extension or over-use
Sprains
Breaks or fractures
Surgery
Good hand health means being able to take advantage of all the activities that healthy, pain-free hands allow you to do, from earning a living to engaging in sports and enjoying your free time.
Depending on your hand health needs, your goals may be one or a combination of the following four key areas:
