Exercising the wrist is very important for helping the fingers work again—especially after a stroke or injury—because the hand and wrist are biomechanically and neurologically connected. Here’s why wrist movement matters:
- Neuromuscular Connection
- The same nerves and muscles that control the wrist also contribute to finger movement.
- Activating wrist muscles can stimulate neural pathways that also affect finger control—especially in people recovering from stroke or nerve damage.
- Tendon and Muscle Mechanics
- Finger tendons pass through the wrist. If the wrist is stiff or weak, it can limit tendon glide and reduce finger flexibility and strength.
- Proper wrist extension (bending the wrist upward) creates the right tension for the finger flexors to work effectively. If the wrist stays flexed (bent downward), it’s harder to open the fingers—this is common with spasticity.
- Functional Use
- Many functional tasks (gripping, writing, holding utensils) require the wrist and fingers to work together.
- Without stable wrist positioning and strength, finger movement is often weak, uncoordinated, or limited.
- Spasticity and Flexor Synergy
- In stroke survivors, wrist and finger flexors often become spastic together. Training wrist extension can help break this flexor synergy and encourage more independent finger movement.
Helpful Wrist Exercises for Finger Recovery
- Wrist extension/flexion stretches
- Active-assisted wrist movements
- Weight-bearing on extended wrists (e.g., pressing palms into a table)
- Resistance band wrist work
- Task-based movement (e.g., reaching and grasping with wrist extension)
Bottom Line:
Wrist rehab is not optional—it’s foundational. If your goal is to regain finger movement, don’t skip wrist exercises. Improving wrist mobility and strength sets the stage for better hand function.
Check out the products below to exercise the wrist that helps the fingers move again. I would recommend the Sportneer wrist strengthener, the CanDo Pronation /Supination exercise wheel and any Flex bars that come with different strengths for a progressive path to strength without hurting yourself. Remember to check with your MD or OT to make sure it is appropriate for you.
