Thumb opposition
Touch the tip of each finger with the thumb to rebuild fine motor control for buttons, keys, and writing.
Open the hand, fingers relaxed.
Ready when you are
We'll guide you through 6 short steps — about 28 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
- Recent thumb surgery without clearance
Stop if
- Sharp thumb pain
- Joint catching or locking
Guided full-screen session — 3D hand, optional mirror, voice or silent modes.
Why it helps
Opposition is the foundation of pinch and grip. Practicing it preserves and rebuilds the dexterity you use for daily tasks.
What it should feel like
A light effort in the thumb. No sharp pain.
Target area
Thumb, fingers
Stop if you notice
- Sharp thumb pain
- Joint catching or locking
Get clearance first if
- Recent thumb 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
- Sit comfortably with your hand in front of you.
- Aim for accuracy, not speed.
- Stop if a joint catches or locks.
Today's dose
- Reps
- 8
- Sets
- 2
- Sessions / day
- 3
- Rest
- 20s
- Pain ceiling
- 2/10
Common mistakes
- Moving too fast and missing the fingertip
- Pressing the thumb hard against each finger
- Letting the wrist collapse during the touches
Easier version
- Touch only index and middle finger if other tips hurt
- Reduce to 4 reps per set
Harder version
Only if your phase allows progression.
- Touch each fingertip 2x in sequence (forward and back)
- Add a small pinch hold at each tip
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.
~2 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
- • Recent thumb surgery without clearance
Where this fits in a program
- General stiffness after immobilization — Post-cast stiffness kit
- Carpal tunnel syndrome — Low-cost carpal tunnel pathway
- Arthritis of the hand — Arthritis-friendly home kit
- Nerve injury, numbness, or sensory loss — Nerve recovery & numbness kit
Next recommended exercises
Often the next intensity or a logical pairing.
Commonly paired with
Different goal, shared tags — typical clinical pairings.
Movement library — same skills, smaller steps
Movements are the building blocks therapists combine into exercises.