Finger tip exercises are often recommended after finger or hand injuries or surgeries. Some exercises include:
- Walk the wall or table.... Using the first 2 fingers, "walk" up a wall or across a table.
- Finger-counting.... Curl your thumb and one by one, touch each finger to your thumb.
- Pinkie touch... Touch your pinkie to your nose, then touch the pinkie to the thumb on same hand.
- Tip rub.... Ask someone else to find 5 different fabrics. Close your eyes while the fabrics (clothing) is laid in front of you. Touch each time with only your fingertips. Identify the type of fabric: such as satin, jean material, etc.
- Make finger "faces"... Curl your thumb and all fingers as though making a ferocious "face". Hold your hand outward so other people can see, then turn your wrist so your palm is facing you so you can see the "face".
- Small objects exercise.... Spread pennies, nickles, and dimes in front of you. Pick each up between your thumb and index finger and place to the side. Stack each by the type of coin.
- Snap it up! ... Do finger snapping. Try to "snap" with different fingers.
- Wipe it off! ... Pick a counter or table (do not use wood that could splinter!) Rub the tips of your fingers along the surface. Tip: the top of a laptop works well.
- Count those bills! ... Take a stack of dollar bills and pick them off the stack as if you are counting at a bank.
- Dealer up! ... Deal cards and play simple card games with friends. Picking up cards uses finger dexterity and forces the fingertips to separate cards.
As always, check with your doctor before starting exercises, especially if you just had surgery or stitches.