Stronger fingers, better performance: Try these exercises
What's the story
Acupressure is an ancient art of healing which requires pressing the specific points on our body.
Strong and flexible fingers are essential for practitioners to apply the precise pressure needed for optimal outcomes.
This article lists five finger exercises to build strength and flexibility, leading to improved acupressure technique precision.
Push-up
Strengthening with finger push-ups
Finger push-ups can significantly strengthen your fingers.
How to do it:
Place your hands on a flat surface with fingers spread wide.
Slowly lower your body by bending your elbows while keeping your fingers firm and straight.
Push back up to the starting position.
Regularly doing this exercise can greatly increase finger strength over time.
This allows you to apply precise pressure during acupressure sessions.
Stretch
Flexibility through finger stretches
For those who practice acupressure, having flexible fingers is key.
Extend one arm in front of you with your palm facing down.
Use your other hand to gently pull back on each finger, creating a comfortable stretch without discomfort or pain.
Hold each stretch for approximately fifteen seconds before progressing to the next finger.
This exercise helps to alleviate stiffness and improve your range of motion.
Piano
Enhancing dexterity with piano exercises
Pretend piano playing improves finger dexterity and control, needed for acupressure.
On a flat surface, apply pressure as if playing piano keys, alternating fingers from thumb to pinky and back.
Build up speed while maintaining control and full motion with each press.
This enhances coordination and dexterity, necessary for accurate acupressure application.
Squeeze
Building endurance with ball squeezes
Maintaining accurate pressure on points over time can be demanding on the fingers and hands.
Grip strength exercise: Using a stress ball or similar soft object, squeeze firmly but comfortably with all fingers and hold for five seconds before releasing.
Repeat this exercise daily for several minutes to strengthen the muscles used for applying pressure during acupressure treatments.
Thread
Coordination enhancement through bead threading
Threading beads is a great way to improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, both of which are essential for precision in various hands-on activities.
Choose different-sized beads to vary the challenge, concentrating on maintaining a gentle but firm hold.
This activity will benefit from the strong and agile fingers you have developed from the previous exercises.