Could you recommend an exercise to increase one's dexterity?

I love SRV as he was my husband’s favorite artist!!! Since you don’t play the guitar, I’m not sure what exercises to recommend. You might consider learning to play the guitar & maybe you will gain dexterity as you learn to play.

@LadyMarissa -I work as an artist-potter/painter.
While I can still do these things,lately I have noticed diminished dexterity in my dominant hand.
(it doesn’t help my already atrocious typing-lol)
I do some stretching, but I wondered if anyone knew of something different.
I listen to SRV often while throwing clay That music puts me in a good mood :)
As for the guitar, I shouldn’t be allowed near one.

Some musicians use little gadgets to warm up their fingers.
I think you could use these things too for keeping/getting them more flexible?

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Or do as my father, and play the accordeon.

@rebbel -THANK YOU!
As for the accordion? I am afraid of getting pelted with vegetables.
My mom used to play one.I miss her, but not that.Lol

@lucillelucillelucille IF you’re on Social Security, your doctor can recommend a therapist come to your home or place of work. They will watch you work under normal circumstances to see where they can see a deficiency or where you make a point of pointing out what you notice. Then they work up a specific exercise program geared toward YOUR needs. SS pays the FULL cost of the visits for up to a month. At the end of that month, the doc can recommend an additional month. I was having additional problems walking than I had for the previous 30 years & I thought it was a waste of time. The therapist listened & watched closely & sincerely listened to my concerns. Then we worked on each one until I was a little bit stronger. On his last day, he gave me a folder with ALL the exercises printed out so I could continue on my own. That was 2 years ago & it’s STILL making a difference in my life!!! I think he said that SS would send a therapist out at least once a year & the number of months are set by the doctor. At any point that you feel it’s a true waste of time, you can stop it yourself. Might be a better way to go than having we jellies guess what you need!!!

@LadyMarissa -I am not on SS.
My issue is caused from MS so I know the cause & what to do for that but meanwhile, I truly just wanted additional opinions/methods to supplement the ones I already put into practice in regards to dexterity.
I appreciate your answer though. :)

I will lobby for piano lessons

@josie – I can see it from my chair. It is incapable of making me feel guilty.Lol!
Meanwhile, I will imagine this being played on it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rLNpH_6ih0

What kind of dexterity?

- bilateral coordination
– finger isolation
– gross hand grasp and strength
– hand arches
– hand dominance
– in hand manipulation
– neat pincer grasp
– open thumb web space
– palmer arch development
– pinch strengthening and control of grasp patterns
– precision fine motor
– separation of the hand
– strength
– thumb IP joint flexion
– thumb opposition
– wrist and hand development

Maybe figure out which areas you need the most help in and then google for examples for activities? Have you thought about finding an OT?

Good luck!

@raum- Well,lets see…precision fine motor, pinch strengthening and control of grasp patterns along with some strength to round it out.
The first one pisses me off the most.

No to the OT so far but might if this keeps up. Thanks for this list!

What about taking a class doing fused glass? Most of the tools you use require precision fine motor. Tweezers for smaller glass pieces would work on pincer grasp. You could even get a small microwave kiln off of Etsy or Amazon.

Just don’t let the house burn down while you’re creating some masterpiece.

@raum -I used to have a kiln like that for tests. Now I have a large one which could potentially burn my house down XD
I have been told to pick things up with tweezers so I have adjusted the way I eat Rice Krispies.
Breakfast takes HOURS! :)

Cool! (The kiln part. Not the burning house down part or taking hours to finish a rice crispies part.)

Do you still do a lot of ceramics?

@raum -Yes,I do. I can throw clay fine but am a bit concerned with fine detail in paintings or carving for that matter.
I would not like to change my painting style but I would if I had to.

Speaking of great artists that adapted to changes in dexterity, you could also work on some Matisse-style drawing with scissors. Scissor work is also great for fine motor.

@raum -That is a good idea…until I try to run with them. Lol!

Hmmm…picturing you running with scissors and tweezers (with Rice Krispies) while the house is on fire. Interesting mental imagery.

@raum -It’s all part of a new exercise program.