How to Stretch Tendons in the Fingers
Your fingers play an important role in everyday tasks including typing, cleaning, getting yourself ready in the morning and participating in exercise. Tendons in your fingers may become tight as the result of overuse injuries, such as tendinitis, or traumatic injuries, including fracturing a finger. Tight tendons in your fingers can inhibit your ability to perform your daily routine. Fortunately, there are exercises you can perform to strengthen and increase flexibility in your finger tendons.
Finger exercises can help loosen a tight tendon. (Image: Jeremy Woodhouse/Blend Images/Getty Images)Step 1
Complete a finger extension exercise. Position your hand flat on a table -- or other hard surface. Your fingers should be fully extended. Slowly use your opposite hand for assistance and lift each finger off of the table. Raise your finger as far off of the table as possible. Lower back to the starting position and move on to the next finger. Complete one set -- raising all five fingers -- of 10 repetitions.
Step 2
Perform finger spreads. Position your hand flat on a hard surface -- such as a table. Your fingers should be fully extended and touching each other. Spread your fingers apart as far as possible. Hold this position for two seconds. Return to the starting position and repeat. Complete one set of 20 repetitions.
Step 3
Crumble paper. Grab a sheet of paper and position it in the palm of your hand. Use your fingers to squeeze and crumble the paper into a ball. Relax and repeat 20 times. To save paper, straighten out the sheet of paper you used previously and reuse.
Step 4
Pick up small objects. Place a wide variety of small objects on a table. Objects can include safety pins, paper clips, marbles, pencils or coins. Use your affected fingers to pick up the objects and transfer them to the opposite side of the table. Complete this exercise for three minutes at a time.
Things You'll Need
Paper
Safety pins
Coins
Pencils
Paper clips
Warning
Exercises should be performed at the discretion of your doctor. Exercises may cause mild discomfort. However, you should not experience pain while exercising. If you experience pain, discontinue exercise and contact your doctor.
