Carpal Tunnel Rehabilitation Exercises

You may do all of these exercises right away. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

 Wrist: Active range of motion

•   Flexion: Gently bend your wrist forward. Hold for 5 seconds. Do 3 sets of 10.
•  Extension: Gently bend your wrist backward. Hold this position 5 seconds. Do 3 sets of 10.
•  Side to side: Gently move your wrist from side to side (a handshake motion). Hold for 5 seconds at each end. Do 3 sets of 10.

Wrist stretch:

• With your uninjured hand, help to bend the injured wrist down by pressing the back of your hand and holding it down for 15 to 30 seconds. Next, stretch the hand back by pressing the fingers in a backward direction and holding it for 15 to 30 seconds. Keep your elbow straight during this exercise. Do 3 sets.

 Tendon glides:

• Start with the fingers of your injured hand held out straight. Gently bend the middle joint of your fingers down toward your upper palm. Hold for 5 seconds. Do 3 sets of 10.

 Scapular squeezes:

• While sitting or standing with your arms by your sides, squeeze your shoulder blades together and hold for 5 seconds. Do 3 sets of 10.

 Wrist extension exercise:

• Hold a soup can or hammer handle in your hand with your palm facing down. Slowly bend your wrist upward. Slowly lower the weight down into the starting position. Do 3 sets of 10. Gradually increase the weight of the object you are holding.

 Grip strengthening:

• Squeeze a rubber ball and hold for 5 seconds. Do 3 sets of 10.

Written by Tammy White, M.S., P.T., for McKesson Provider Technologies.
Published by McKesson Provider Technologies.
Last modified: 2006-05-01
Last reviewed: 2004-02-03
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright (c) 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.