Edema elevation & pump
Elevate the hand above the heart and gently open and close the fingers to encourage fluid movement.
Lie or sit comfortably. Rest the arm on pillows above heart level.
Ready when you are
We'll guide you through 5 short steps — about 60 seconds of guided motion. Pause or stop anytime — nothing leaves your device.
Have ready: No special equipment
Contraindications & stop if…
When not to do this
- Suspected blood clot
- Active infection
- Recent surgery without clearance
Stop if
- Throbbing or increasing pain when elevated
- Skin color changes
- New numbness
Guided full-screen session — 3D hand, optional mirror, voice or silent modes.
Why it helps
Gentle muscle pumping with elevation supports circulation and may help manage swelling between visits.
What it should feel like
A light, pulsing effort. No throbbing or sharp pain.
Target area
Hand, wrist
Stop if you notice
- Throbbing or increasing pain when elevated
- Skin color changes
- New numbness
Get clearance first if
- Suspected blood clot
- Active infection
- Recent surgery without clearance
Watch a curated demo
Your practice loop
Pause where you want, then tap A for where the loop starts and B for where it ends. Turn Autoloop off anytime — your A/B times stay saved for this video.
Now 0:00 · Loop 0:00 → end of video
Education sources
HandTherapy.app summarizes common home-program elements used in hand therapy and surgery recovery education. These links are for learning — they do not replace your clinician's instructions.
How to do it well
Goal, setup, dose, and the things therapists most often have to repeat. This is education — not a replacement for your clinician's plan.
Before you start
- Stack pillows so the hand sits clearly above the heart.
- Stop if the hand starts to throb or color changes.
- Avoid if you suspect a blood clot — call your clinician.
Today's dose
- Reps
- 3
- Sets
- 1
- Sessions / day
- 4
- Rest
- 30s
- Pain ceiling
- 2/10
Common mistakes
- Squeezing too hard instead of gentle pumping
- Letting the hand drop below the heart mid-set
- Doing it too few times per day — frequency drives the benefit
Easier version
- Skip making a fist; just open and partly close
- Reduce to 2 sessions per day
How did this feel?
One tap. Saved as a question for your next visit when relevant — never auto-shared.
What to do next — not a dead end
Suggestions use shared goals, tags, and difficulty — not your medical record. Always defer to your clinician’s plan after surgery or a flare.
~3 min this exercise
Add a second exercise below for a fuller block.
None required — bodyweight / table surface only
Explainer ceiling: 2/10 — back off before you reach it.
Get clearance first if
- • Suspected blood clot
- • Active infection
- • Recent surgery without clearance
Commonly paired with
Different goal, shared tags — typical clinical pairings.