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Home Exercise Program

Home exercise programs are typically prescribed following a comprehensive therapy evaluation by a therapist so that the exercises are specific to each patient’s impairments. However, to make care more accessible during the Covid-19 pandemic, the below exercise programs have been created to address common upper extremity problems. Please click on the orange titles below for the corresponding exercise program that a therapist or physician has recommended to you.  If you are experiencing an increase in symptoms or have concerns, discontinue the exercise and contact our therapy department at (920) 730-8833, and a therapist will assist you.

Shoulder Impingement

  • Avoid activities or ranges of motion that are painful but continue to use your arm functionally.
  • Be mindful of your posture, bring your shoulder blades up and back at rest and during activity.
  • Only complete the exercises in a pain free range.

Please call the therapy department with any questions.

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

  • Be mindful of your posture both at rest and with activity.  Focus on keeping your shoulder blades up and back.
  • Take 5 minutes twice a day to complete slow, deep diaphragmatic breathing.
  • Try to sleep on your back with pillow placed underneath each arm.
  • Do not progress to the theraband exercises until your symptoms are improving.

Please call the therapy department with any questions.

Lateral Elbow Pain

  • Avoid performing lifting and gripping activities with your palm down.
  • Try to complete tasks with your palm facing up.
  • Hold items close to your body.
  • Avoid long reaches and repetitive gripping.

Please call the therapy department with any questions.

Medial Elbow Pain

  • Avoid performing lifting and gripping activities with your palm up.
  • Try to complete tasks with your palm facing up down.
  • Hold items close to your body.
  • Avoid long reaches and repetitive gripping.

Please call the therapy department with any questions.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Avoid end range wrist motion during activities and at night.
  • Consider using a wrist brace at night to maintain a neutral position.
  • Exercises shouldn’t increase numbness or tingling.
  • Keep an upright posture with shoulder blades up and back to take tension off of the nerve.

Please call the therapy department with any questions.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

  • Avoid activities that keep your elbow flexed for long periods of time (e.g., talking on the phone, driving, reading)
  • Avoid resting your elbow on hard surfaces.
  • Try to sleep with your elbow straight to decrease tension on your nerve. Wrap a towel around the elbow and secure the ends to prevent the elbow from tightly bending for a prolonged time.
  • Keep an upright posture with shoulder blades up and back to take tension off of the nerve.

Please call the therapy department with any questions.

Mallet Finger Post Immobilization

  • Once cleared by the doctor, progress finger range of motion gently
  • Monitor for drooping of your fingertip.
  • If drooping occurs, decrease the frequency of your exercises and consider wearing your splint intermittently during the day or at night.

Please call the therapy department with any questions.