United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi everyone. Any suggestions to strengthen Amber's tricep? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Tanya in NY
Amber's Mom, ROBPI, 3 years old

I google'd triceps exercises but none are appropriate for kids. We work our triceps in the pool with the styrofoam dumbells or with toys. But we also use e-stim for the triceps. Is Amber still in OT or PT ? They probably have some neat ways to get to it.

Our OT has us taking small weights (started out with small toys, hand size), in both hands. At first we had to help, but he raises his arms until his hands (and the weights) are behind his head. Then he lifts both arms up and down, even if just by the elbow extension. He can only do about a count of 2 to start with but eventually works up. It is difficult to start but it works well. Since most of our kids are so good at compensating one has to watch and make sure they are really lifting them (go failry slow) as they will get some momentum going and just kind of sling their arms up and let them fall back down, not really working the muscle much. Eventually he could raise his arms up from the elbow and then started straightening them up some from the shoulder, working those and the back muscles as well. He can't do this all the time and sometimes has a meltdown and we have to take a break and move onto something else but this is the way it is with his therapy whatever we are doing. This has also helped "open" up a tight scapula as well which is what we so despertely need. Hope this helped and sorry if I haven't explained it well enough.

Some of the excersises we do are wall push-ups and skateboard surfing. I got a skateboard and Jordan lays on it on his tummy and uses his arms to pull himself across the floor. These were recommended by his therapist and I have noticed improvment in muscle tone and less winging in his right shoulder since using them. Hope this helps.

Jami in Texas
Jordan's Mom, Robpi, 4 years old

Hi Tanya,

One that really helped me was a pool exercise.
You take one of those rectangular floaties that they call swim aids and, using both hands, while standing, push it down into the water.

I can not pronate completely, so since i didn't want to compensate yet another muscle in this activity and wanted to isolate the triceps, I would use my hands fisted instead of flat.

Nancy