How does massage strengthen your hands?
- davidwatts3
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Several studies and clinical trials have demonstrated that massage of the hands can lead to increased grip endurance and strength. Individuals with arthritis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) or those recovering from injury can be particularly helped.
How does massage strengthen the hands?
In conjunction with massaging hands, the best results can be obtained by also massaging the forearms. Muscles in the forearms are partly responsible for hand functions.
Improves circulation: Massage increases the blood flow which in turn increases the amount of oxygen and nutrients reaching muscles and connective tissue. This accelerates repair of damaged muscles/tissue and keeps them strong.
Relieves stiffness and tension: When muscles and connective tissue are under tension muscular adhesions can occur. These are areas of tissue that have stuck together. They also include "muscle knots" and scar tissue. These muscular adhesions restrict movement. Massage breaks down the muscular adhesions which leads to looser muscles, better flexibility, and a firmer, more stable grip.
Improves joint mobility: Focussed massage of the finger, hand and wrist joints increases range of motion and the health of the joints. It also helps increase grip strength as the relevant muscles can act more effectively.
Reduces metabolic waste: Massage stimulates the lymphatic system which helps remove waste products (e.g. cellular debris, toxins) that can cause stiffness and fatigue, allowing muscles and joints to function better.
Reduces pain: By reducing pain (e.g. from arthritis or overuse), muscles can perform more efficiently, supporting a better grip and hand function.
Increases neuromuscular awareness: Massage stimulates the nerve endings in the hands, improving proprioception - your awareness of where and how your hands move. This leads to improved use of the hands (e.g. a golfer has better grip control, finer adjustments to swing mechanics, and more efficient use of muscles).
How do I massage the hands?
Connective tissue of fingers/thumb: After warming up the hands I perform a "squeeze and twist" stroke repeatedly along the length of each finger/thumb. Both the sides and diagonals of the fingers/thumb are massaged in this way.
Joint mobilisation: Each finger/thumb/wrist joint is "distracted" (stretched), "rolled" (normal plane of movement back and forth), "spun" (rotated back and forth), and "grinded" (lateral movement back and forth).
Fleshy areas on palm: The main fleshy areas on the palm are below the thumb (the Thenar muscles, crucial for gripping) and below the little finger. Strokes include pressing and rotating a
reinforced thumb into these areas and pressing/gliding a rounded stick Thai massage tool. Whilst doing this I am looking for trigger points (muscle knots) in the muscles. If found, directional
stretching and/or compression on them to reduce their painful intensity.
Back of hand: With oil applied to the back of the hand, I slowly glide a thumb up the hand between the metacarpals (bones). Whilst doing this I am feeling for trigger points.
Forearms: I always massage the forearms after the hands, releasing as much tension as I can which enhances the hand functions.
Regular massage of the hands and forearms is one way to maintain flexible, strong hands. This can be relevant to people suffering from medical issues (e.g. arthritis), people recovering from hand injuries (e.g. repetitive strains suffered by golfers), or people needing a strong grip for their activities (e.g. golfers and those playing racquet sports).
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