Arm Exercises for Stroke Patients

Arm Exercises for Strengthening

If a stroke patient has recovered arm movement but still has residual weakness, arm exercises can be performed with dumbbells or theraband for strengthening. Some strengthening exercises for arms are demonstrated below. Please check with your physician or therapist first to see if these exercises are appropriate for you. Discontinue any exercises that cause pain. If you are unable to move your arm or are too weak to do these exercises, go to www.stroke-rehab.com/passive-range-of-motion.html to find simplified exercises.

Arm Exercises with dumbbell

Shoulder Flexion
Hold weight in hand (food cans can be used as well). Keeping elbow straight, raise arm overhead and back down. Repeat 10 times. Switch arms and repeat.

Arm Exercises Shoulder Abduction

Shoulder Abduction
Hold weight in hand. Keeping arm straight, lift arm out to side to shoulder height. Return arm to side. Repeat 10 times. Switch arms and repeat.

Arm Exercises Triceps

Triceps Arm Exercise

Elbow Extension
Lean forward slightly, hold elbow up behind you, straighten elbow lifting weight behind you then bend elbow. Repeat 10 times. Make sure the elbow stays behind you and that you only move the arm from the elbow down. Switch arms and repeat on other side.

Arm exercises biceps curl

Elbow Flexion
Hold weight in hand. Bend elbow and then straighten elbows. Repeat 10 times. Switch to other side and repeat or you can do both elbows at the same time.

Arm Exercises Shoulder Overhead Press

Shoulder Exercises Overhead Press

Overhead Press
Push arms overhead and back down. Repeat 10 times.

Shoulder Exercises Rotator Cuff

External Rotation wth theraband

External Rotation
Holding theraband with hands, start with elbows bent to 90 degrees and against the body. Rotate arms back moving hands out to sides (keep elbows bent to 90 degrees during the movement). Repeat 10 times.

Shoulde Exercises Interna Rotation

Arm Exercises Internal Rotation

Internal Rotation with Theraband.
Tie one end of theraband to a doorknob. Pull the other end of the band toward the abdomen keeping the elbow at 90 degrees.

Wrist exercises not pictured:

Hold weights in both hands with elbows bent to 90 degrees. Turn palms up and down 10 times.

Hold one weight in each hand with palms facing downward, elbows against sides, and elbows bent to 90 degrees. Lift wrists up and down keeping elbows still (wrist movement only). Repeat 10 times.

Hold one weight in each hand with palms facing up, elbows against sides, and elbows bent to 90 degrees. Lift wrists up and down keeping elbows still (wrist movement only). Repeat 10 times.

Return from arm exercises to stroke rehab exercises

Return from arm exercises to stroke rehab home page

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Arm Exercises for Strengthening


Home Stroke Rehab Blog Ask the Therapist LEARN ABOUT STROKE Stroke Prevention Types of Stroke Effects of Stroke Stroke Treatment Rehab Facilities Neuroplasticity STROKE REHAB EXERCISES Rehab Exercises Passive ROM Exercises Arm Strengthening Hand Exercises Balance Exercises Sensory Re-education Eye Exercises EQUIPMENT Home Exercise Equipment Adaptive Equipment Adaptive Clothing RESOURCES & CAREGIVER INFO Info for Caregivers Stroke Resources Support Groups Stroke News CONTACT Contact Me [?]Subscribe To This Site	Arm Exercises for Strengthening If a stroke patient has recovered arm movement but still has residual weakness, arm exercises can be performed with dumbbells or theraband for strengthening. Some strengthening exercises for arms are demonstrated below. Please check with your physician or therapist first to see if these exercises are appropriate for you. Discontinue any exercises that cause pain. If you are unable to move your arm or are too weak to do these exercises, go to www.stroke-rehab.com/passive-range-of-motion.html to find simplified exercises. Shoulder Flexion Hold weight in hand (food cans can be used as well). Keeping elbow straight, raise arm overhead and back down. Repeat 10 times. Switch arms and repeat. Shoulder Abduction Hold weight in hand. Keeping arm straight, lift arm out to side to shoulder height. Return arm to side. Repeat 10 times. Switch arms and repeat. Elbow Extension Lean forward slightly, hold elbow up behind you, straighten elbow lifting weight behind you then bend elbow. Repeat 10 times. Make sure the elbow stays behind you and that you only move the arm from the elbow down. Switch arms and repeat on other side. Elbow Flexion Hold weight in hand. Bend elbow and then straighten elbows. Repeat 10 times. Switch to other side and repeat or you can do both elbows at the same time. Overhead Press Push arms overhead and back down. Repeat 10 times. External Rotation Holding theraband with hands, start with elbows bent to 90 degrees and against the body. Rotate arms back moving hands out to sides (keep elbows bent to 90 degrees during the movement). Repeat 10 times. Internal Rotation with Theraband. Tie one end of theraband to a doorknob. Pull the other end of the band toward the abdomen keeping the elbow at 90 degrees. Wrist exercises not pictured: Hold weights in both hands with elbows bent to 90 degrees. Turn palms up and down 10 times. Hold one weight in each hand with palms facing downward, elbows against sides, and elbows bent to 90 degrees. Lift wrists up and down keeping elbows still (wrist movement only). Repeat 10 times. Hold one weight in each hand with palms facing up, elbows against sides, and elbows bent to 90 degrees. Lift wrists up and down keeping elbows still (wrist movement only). Repeat 10 times. Return from arm exercises to stroke rehab exercises Return from arm exercises to stroke rehab home page Click Here for Disclaimer and Privacy Policy Copyright © 2010 Stroke-Rehab.com SBI!	Search this website: Loading Get your stroke rehab questions answered by a therapist! Click Here Share your stroke treatment or exercise recommendation. Click Here Share your stroke survival story. Click Here