Wand Exercises
• These exercises will help increase your arm movements.
• Use a wand made from an old broom handle, cane, ball bat, yard stick,
or three foot dowel rod for the following exercises.
• It is best to do these exercises sitting on a hard, straight-back chair with
your feet flat on the floor. Keep your head and back in an upright
position. Avoid slumping or arching your back. Sitting in front of a
mirror is often helpful because you can see how you are sitting.
• Keep both arms straight as possible except when told to bend your
elbows. Hold the wand about 12 inches apart with your palms down.
• All exercises should be done slowly and rhythmically. Do not use fast
or jerky movements. Do not push your arms beyond their limits.
Do all the exercises __________ times each __________ times a day.
1. Lean forward so the wand rests
on your ankles. Slowly bring
your arms up to shoulder
height.
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© Copyright, (10/8/2008) Rehabilitation Services, The Ohio State
University Medical Center - Upon request all patient education
handouts are available in other formats for people with special
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2. Slowly raise the wand
over your head. Then
slowly bend your
elbows so that the
wand is behind your
head. Bring the wand
up and then back to the
starting position.
3. With both arms straight out, raise the wand to
shoulder height. Bring the wand toward your
face, while bending your elbows and keeping
them by your side. Straighten your arms and
return them to the starting position.
4. Straighten both arms toward your knees, and then
slowly bend your elbows toward your chest.
Straighten your arms back toward your knees
again.
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5. Place the wand straight up in between your legs
with your unaffected hand holding it in place.
Now place your affected hand on top of the
other and slowly climb the wand by placing one
hand above the other. Remember to keep both
arms straight. Climb down the wand the same
manner.
6. Keep your arms straight at shoulder height. Move
your arms to the right as far as possible. Come back to
the starting position and then move to the left as far as
possible.
7. Grasp one end of the wand in your left hand
and place the tip of it in your right hand.
Move the wand to the right side of the body
and as high up towards your head as
possible. Your right arm will be moving
away from your body. Return the wand to
the starting position.
Then, switch positions by grasping the end of the wand
in your right hand with the tip of it in your left hand.
Move the wand to your left side.
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8. Hold the wand upright keeping
your hands straight next to each
other and in front of your body.
Keep your elbows straight. Twist
the wand all the way to the left,
then all the way to the right.
9. Keep both of your arms straight and toward your right side. Move the
wand from side to side. Slowly do this clockwise and counterclockwise.
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10.Sit sideways in the chair so the wand can
move backwards. Put both your hands on the
wand and hold it behind your body. Move the
wand up towards your head, as far as possible
without leaning your body forward. Bring the
wand back down, slowly.
Talk to your doctor or others on your health care team if you have
questions. You may request more written information from the
Library for Health Information at (614) 293-3707 or email: health-
[email protected]
