Hand Therapy Putty, Finger Exercises, Hand Strength Putty

What is Therapy Putty and How Does it Work?

Therapy putty is a non-greasy, non-toxic rehabilitation putty used in hand physical therapy to strengthen the hands and improve flexibility, blood flow, coordination and dexterity. Therapy putty comes in different levels of resistance densities, meeting a wide range of hand or foot strengthening needs. The putty can be stretched, squeezed, twisted and pinched, allowing the fingers and hands to do different physical tasks and movements. It aids in fine motor muscle therapies, and is often utilized to treat many conditions, including arthritis and post-surgical injuries.

Many therapy putty products come color-coded for easier visual differentiation of increasing resistance for the different levels of therapy. Most therapy putty products come in their own containers so the putty will last longer and will not stick to skin, crumble or dry out. While the majority of therapy putty is odorless, some will come with different scents and/or glitter to make it more fun and engaging for children. Other therapy putty products will incorporate an antimicrobial agent that makes it antifungal and antibacterial, enabling it to resist the growth of odor-causing and destructive microbes.

What Are Some Exercises That Can be Done with Therapy Putty?

Full Grip Exercise: To help improve hand grip strength. While holding the putty in the hand, squeeze the fingers to make a fist, then roll the putty around and over in the hand while squeezing as hard as possible against the putty’s resistance.

Fingers Only Exercise: Helps improve finger strength and joint flexibility. While holding the putty in the palm of the hand at the base of the bent fingers, with an open palm, curl the fingers closed and squeeze the putty with the fingertips. Continue pressing the fingers into the putty while folding it over in a repeated pattern.

Finger Extensions Exercise: Helps to strengthen individual fingers. Curl one finger into the palm of the hand and wrap putty over that finger. Hold the putty with the other hand to create more resistance and then fully open or uncurl the finger with as much force as possible. The thicker the putty held over the fingertip, the higher the degree of resistance. Repeat the exercise with each finger.

Finger Pinch Exercise: This will help with strengthening and improving the ability to pinch and pick up objects with the fingers and thumb. Roll the putty on a table to form a ball and pinch it between the index finger and the thumb. Repeat the same movement with each finger.

Scissor Spread Exercise: Will help improve the ability to spread the fingers apart. Start with wrapping the putty around the top part of the ring finger and middle finger while they are together. Like a pair of scissors, spread the fingers apart with as much force as possible and repeat this with each pair of fingers.

Finger Spread Exercise: To help strengthen the hand muscles that are responsible for finger extension. Start by forming the putty into a thin pancake shape, and place it on a table. With the fingers and thumb bunched together, place the fingertips in the middle of the putty pancake and slowly spread out the fingers, opening the hand with as much force as possible.

Thumb Press Exercise: Will help strengthen the thumb flexors. While holding the putty ball or lump in the palm of the hand, press the thumb toward the little finger and into the putty. Use as much force to press the thumb into the putty until the thumb is pressed completely through the putty and touching the palm.

Thumb Extension Exercise: Helps to strengthen the thumb extensors. Bend the thumb and loop the putty over the end of it while holding the two loose ends of the putty in the hand. With as much force as possible, straighten the thumb against the putty.

Wrist Extension Exercise: Helps to strengthen the wrist muscles. Using either a table or the arm of a chair, rest the forearm on the surface while allowing the wrist to hang down over the table or chair arm edge. Grip the putty with the fingertips of the dangling hand while holding the other end of the putty with the other hand. With as much force as possible, slowly raise the wrist up to its full extension.

Wrist Rotation Exercise: Help to strengthen the wrist muscles. While firmly gripping the putty in one hand, rotate the wrist clockwise in a circular motion a number of times, and then rotate the wrist in the opposite direction, all the time squeezing the putty with as much force as possible.

Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CEO

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