Forearm Stretch (Flexors & Extensors)
Stretches the muscles of the forearm that attach at the elbow.
What it helps
Loosens the forearm muscles that attach at the elbow — easing the tension that pulls on irritated tendons and limits comfortable wrist and grip use.
How to do it
- Straighten the arm in front of you, palm down. With the other hand, gently bend the wrist down until you feel a stretch along the top of the forearm (extensors).
- Then turn the palm up and gently bend the wrist down to stretch the underside (flexors).
- Hold each gently; keep the elbow straight.
Tips
- A gentle, steady pull — never sharp.
- Keeping the elbow straight makes the stretch reach the muscles that attach there.
Commonly done as 3 sets of Hold 20–30 sec each, daily.
Where this appears in recovery
Forearm Stretch (Flexors & Extensors) is part of 27 recovery programs, most often at the regaining motion (weeks 4–8), regaining motion (weeks 2–8) and regaining motion (weeks 4–10) stages, among others. Each program shows how it fits alongside the other movements:
- Distal Biceps Tendon Repair exercise guide
- Distal Humerus ORIF exercise guide
- Olecranon Fracture ORIF exercise guide
- UCL Reconstruction (Tommy John) exercise guide
- Total Elbow Arthroplasty exercise guide
- Revision Total Elbow Arthroplasty exercise guide
- Tennis Elbow Release (Lateral Epicondyle) exercise guide
- Tennis Elbow Release (Lateral Epicondyle) exercise guide
- Elbow Bursitis (Olecranon) exercise guide
- Wrist Arthritis exercise guide
- Wrist Arthritis exercise guide
- Wrist Pain exercise guide
- …and 15 more
All exercise guides · Condition guides · Recovery education
These are general exercise guides, not a personal prescription. The repetitions and frequency shown are what's commonly used — your own surgeon or therapist may advise something different, and their guidance comes first.