6 Tools to Assess and Improve Your Patient’s Hand Grip Strength
Handheld Dynamometer
This tool is used to measure the strength of an individual’s hand grip. Doctors and rehabilitation centers use these tools to measure the strength of their patients. A handheld dynamometer shows the specific number that indicates the strength a person has in his grip. This tool is reliable and accurate for measuring grip strength. If you have faced any arm-related injuries, it is better to avoid the test or conduct the test under the precaution of doctors.
Used
To check the muscle’s function before and after the injuries.
A handheld dynamometer helps monitor the progress of patients.
Hand Exercisers
This tool is convenient, and anyone can do it without worrying about injuries. This tool is very effective in measuring and improving the strength of the grip. Manual grip assessments via hand exercisers lack precise results.
Precautions
Generally, this is a very safe exercise. You can perform it by yourself.
Consult with your doctor if you are recovering from any physical injuries.
Arthritis patients try to avoid excessive practice of hand exercises.
Type of hand exercises
Grip strengthener
Finger exerciser
Ball-type exerciser
Adjustable resistance exerciser
The benefits of a hand exerciser are
Increased grip strength
Improved dexterity
Enhanced fine motor skills
Pain reduction
Faster recovery
Injury prevention
Hydraulic Hand Exerciser
This tool is an advanced version of a normal hand exerciser. These tools provide better assessment and improvement of grip strength to patients. This mechanical hand exerciser is fluid-based resistance that provides better consistency and adjustable control. Nowadays, this tool is preferred by rehabilitation centers and doctors for their patients.
Precautions
Always listen to your body if you feel any pain or discomfort. You can reduce the pressure or stop doing it.
You need to perform this exercise in the proper form to avoid any injuries such as stains and muscle pain.
Benefits
Consistent resistance
Adjustable force
Better consistency
Better control
Engaging exercise
Theraband Flexbars:
Theraband flex bars are portable tools. They are for strength training, physical therapy, and injury recovery. Theraband is a rod-like object made of high-quality rubber. Therapists use this while assessing patients’ grip strength capacity.
Precautions
Don’t go directly for a level 4 one, you might injure yourself. Start with level 1, then step by step increase the levels.
Try this under expert guidance to avoid injury.
Benefits
Durable, recommended, and helpful for the treatment of tennis elbow injuries.
Anybody can do with lightweight rods without worrying about age or gender.
Good for improving the strength of grip and arm muscles.
Stages or levels
Yellow (5 pounds): This is the easiest one and can be done without any worries about injuries.
Red (10 pounds): This is level 2, any adult boy or girl can do it without any worries about injuries.
Green (15 pounds): This is level 3, good for improving the strength of the grip and arms.
Blue (25 pounds): This is level 4, the heaviest one you can do under the guidance of experts.
Weighted Balls:
Weighted balls are very useful. They improve grip strength. They also assess recovery by testing the patient’s control over the ball. Patients increase their strength by doing weighted ball training. This tool also does not provide any quantitative results, but you can see the visible difference in the patient’s recovery.
Precautions
If you’re recovering from a past injury, you can perform this training under observation.
Avoid excessive training, it will create unnecessary pressure on your hand.
Benefits
Strength and endurance
Coordination and balance
Sensory input
Fun and engaging
Different types of approaches
Isometric Exercises
Dynamic Exercises
Proprioceptive Input
Functional Integration
Resistance Bands
Many exercises use a lightweight resistance band. Yes, resistance bands are also useful for assessing and improving grip strength. Resistance bands are a very popular choice for home and clinical settings.
Benefits
Portability
Versatility
Adjustable resistance
Cost-effective
Precaution
Before using the band, always check that it is not damaged. To prevent any injuries.
Perform a short warm-up before starting rehabilitation practice.
Always perform controlled movements, it helps you to prevent any injuries.
Weighting Stages
Red 22.5-55 kg
Black 27-68kg
Grey 30-80kg
Black 36-90kg
You can perform these exercises to improve grip strength
Squeezing the band
Pulling apart
Wrist curls
Reverse wrist curls
Finger extensions
Conclusion
Assessing and improving grip strength is important for patients’ rehabilitation from past injuries. These hand squeeze exercise tool are a handheld exerciser, handheld dynamometer, hydraulic hand exerciser, Theraband flex bars, weighted balls, and resistance bands. But follow the precautions to avoid injuries. If you are recovering from some injuries, consult your doctor before using any tools. It’s also recommended that all the exercises be performed under the guidance of a professional. But if you only want to increase grip strength, you can use any tools. But remember to start from lightweight.