Shop Therapy Putty | Exercise Putty for Hand Therapy

What is Therapy Putty?

Theraputty or therapy putty is a soft and pliable tool that is used to improve finger and hand strength. After an accident, sickness, surgery, stroke, or for those with other illnesses that reduce muscle tone and grip strength, it is frequently used in rehabilitation to increase hand strength. Therapy putty is immensely beneficial to people with carpal tunnel syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis. Strengthen your hands by squeezing, stretching, twisting, or pinching these items.
Hand-strengthening putty varies widely. It is a popular option among pediatric therapists, hand rehab specialists, and other OT and PT professionals when choosing occupational therapy products for strengthening the fingers and hands.
Children enjoy developing their fine motor skills by working with different resistance levels. This brightly colored, non-toxic, non-sticky putty is fun to mold and stretch, hide coins or small toys, and play hide and seek. Use it by itself as a fun fidget, or use it alongside other activities for added variety. There are so many possibilities to explore with this versatile putty!

Reasons to choose Therapeutic Putty

1. Increases Hand and Finger Strength

   The strength of the hand is controlled by the forearm muscles. Loss of muscle mass and bone density that results from age or hand injuries decreases hand strength and dexterity, which makes it difficult to carry out daily chores. The forearm muscles and tendons of the fingers that control grip and pinch are re-strengthened through the use of therapy putty, a tool for hand strengthening. According to a study, patients with Parkinson's who engaged in putty hand exercises significantly improved their motor dexterity, grip strength, and pinch ability.

2. Workouts for Fine Motor Skills

   Hand putty might help with fine motor skill development. Cognitive and motor ability decline in older persons is frequently a sign of diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Rolling, twisting, and shaping simple therapy putty exercises boost brain function, which may help fight off certain disorders or reduce their progression.

3. Reduces Pain from Arthritis

   Rheumatoid arthritis patients endure chronic hand joint pain that impairs their ability to use their hands normally. Putty for hand therapy enhances blood flow, releases joints, and lessens discomfort and swelling. For hands with arthritis, a putty resistance system that progresses from soft to hard might be beneficial for improving joint range of motion.

4. Offers Stress Relief

   Theraputty reduces stress by relieving accumulated tension. It assists in rerouting bad feelings and thoughts from the mind and offers momentary tranquility. Your mind will be performing exercises like rolling, squeezing, and stretching, which will help you focus on worthwhile tasks and push away irritating anxieties.

How does Hand Therapy Putty help with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a condition that affects the wrist and hand and is caused by the compression of the median nerve that runs through the wrist. The median nerve plays a vital role in controlling sensation and movement in the thumb and fingers on the palm side of the hand. This nerve runs through a narrow passage known as the carpal tunnel, which is located at the base of the hand and connects the forearm to the center of the palm. Symptoms of CTS include pain, numbness, and tingling in the wrist and hand, which can make it difficult to perform daily activities that require fine motor skills, such as typing or grasping objects.

Using therapy putty can help alleviate symptoms of CTS by strengthening the muscles and tendons in the hand and wrist, which can help reduce pressure on the median nerve. Here is how hand-strengthening putty works for carpal tunnel syndrome:

 

• Increases Blood Flow: When the putty is squeezed, it creates resistance which can help increase blood flow to the muscles and tendons in hand and wrist. Increased blood flow helps nourish the tissues, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.
• Improves Grip Strength: Regular use of hand putty can help improve grip strength, which is essential for tasks that require holding or grasping objects. Strengthening the muscles and tendons in hand and wrist can also help reduce the strain on the median nerve, which can alleviate symptoms of CTS.
• Promotes Dexterity: Using putty for hand strengthening can also help improve dexterity, which is important for tasks that require precise hand movements, such as typing or playing a musical instrument. Improved dexterity can also help reduce the risk of injury or strain to the hand and wrist.
• Provides a Low-Impact Exercise Option: Exercise putty is a low-impact exercise option that is easy on the joints and muscles. It can be used by people of all ages and fitness levels, making it an ideal tool for physical therapy.

How to use Exercise Putty?

Other Exercises

Exercise 1: Spread the Claw

Works on: dexterity, strength

1. Flatten a piece of putty.
2. Make a claw with one hand.
3. Place your "claw" into the putty.
4. Push the fingers away from each other while they stay in the putty, widening the claw. Continue for a minute.
5. Repeat, on the other hand.

Exercise 2: Pinch a Soda Can Tab

Works on: daily activities like popping a soda pop tab, twisting open a jar

1. Work the putty into a blob-like shape.
2. Place it on the table and use the thumb and index finger (on your dominant hand) to mimic the movements of popping open a can of soda.
3. Repeat several times.
4. Next, use your whole hand in a sideways motion to pretend you’re opening a jar of pickles. You can continue to use the putty to practice other actions you have trouble with to help build up to the real thing.

Exercise 3: Roll With a Flat Hand

Works on: finger extensions, range of motion in your elbows and forearms

1. Remove the softest putty from the container. Place it on a counter or table.
2. Keeping your hand flat, roll the putty back and forth until it makes a long “hot dog” shape. Continue rolling for several minutes.
3. Switch hands and repeat.

Our Best-Selling Putty for Hand Therapy Exercises

• CanDo Theraputty Standard Exercise Putty
• Sammons Preston Therapy Putty
• Complete Medical Squeeze 4 Strength 2oz Hand Therapy Putty

Where to buy Theraputty online?

At Rehab-store, we offer a wide range of thera putty products which offer effective occupational therapy in a fun way. Our wide collection also includes Putty with different resistance levels. Shop Thera Putty from various top-selling manufacturers like Fabrication Enterprises, North Coast Medical, Complete Medical, etc. Browse our extensive range to select the Product that best suits your needs.

Research Papers on Occupational Therapy Putty

• Functional consultation and exercises improve grip strength in osteoarthritis of the hand – a randomized controlled trial
• What is Therapy Putty?