Arm Exercises

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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 ER

Shoulder Exercise External Rotation

Shoulder External Rotation
Bend elbows to 90 degrees and hold arms out to side. Bring back of hands up even with head (requires rotation of the shoulder). Repeat 10 times. If this is too hard, then try the next exercise instead.

Arm Exercises Shoulder ER

Arm Exercise ER Shoulder

Alternative Shoulder External Rotation
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.

Arm Exercise Shoulder Overhead Press

Shoulder Exercise Overhead Press

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

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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