Qigong for Stroke--Arm & Hand

[Anna York]

Push Up the Sky is great for arm and hand for those with stroke.

Strong hand and arm can assist the weak side.

Elaine, who works with stroke survivors, wants to know some specific exercises that will help with the arm and hand. Here are some of my suggestions.

I have numerous stroke patients in my classes, and all have made significant progress in overall function and in use of the frozen hand and arm.

One of the keys is that Tai Chi and Qigong work the entire body, thus loosening and balancing all of the body parts that are associated with the affected portions. The shoulder muscles, back and neck are often frozen up, which does not allow proper function of the hand and arm. Loosening hips and stretching the opposite side of the body helps the function of the affected part by making the entire body more flexible and mobile. Inversions, such as Touching the Earth, allow the body to hang upside down with arms dangling, thus releasing tension in the entire upper body, including arms and hands.

Thus, there needs to be a wholistic approach to exercises for which Tai Chi-Qigong are especially well suited. In my view, Tai Chi-Qigong exercises are an essential complement to traditional physical therapy. 

On my DVD are many exercises that work together to help people with stroke. Often people can do the exercises by giving an assist with the stronger hand and arm or by having someone assist them. One of the very best for hand and arm is Push Up the Sky, which employs interlacing and inversion of the fingers, a great incremental exercise for at-home work. Another great one is Clouds--but like I say, they all work together.  I suggest you get the DVD on Amazon, take a look, and then contact me again with questions.

Here is the link: 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008FS7YIK

Blessings,

Anna