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Movement library
MobilityWristPhases 2, 3, 5

Wrist circles

Wrist circumduction

Combined plane warm-up; useful before functional drills.

Best for

  • General wrist warm-up

Default dose

10 reps • 2×/dayEach direction

Avoid when

  • Pain reproduced in any direction

Measurement targets

  • Smoothness (subjective)

Setup

  • Forearm supported, hand relaxed.

Steps

  1. 1Slowly circle the wrist in one direction.
  2. 2Reverse.

Cues

  • Stay within pain-free arc.

Common mistakes

  • Forcing through painful sectors.

Stop rules

  • Sharp pain (≥ 4/10)
  • Increasing swelling during or after
  • New or worsening numbness or tingling
  • Color change in fingers (pale, blue, red)
  • Wound opens, drains, or feels hot
  • Next morning is worse than the day before

Progressions

  • Larger arc.

Regressions

  • Half-circles only.
Continue your rehab

What to do next — not a dead end

Suggestions use body region, goal, motion type, and allowed phases — not your medical record. After surgery or a flare, follow your clinician first.

Estimated time

~2–5 min as a focused practice block

10 reps · 2×/day

Equipment

None required — table or bodyweight only.

Rehab stage

Phases 2, 3, 5

Generally lower load — still respect pain and swelling.

When to stop

Sharp pain (≥ 4/10)

Increasing swelling during or after

Full stop rules ↑

Avoid if this sounds like you

Pain reproduced in any direction

Reread best-for context ↑

Keep momentum without overdoing it

Log a short check-in to protect your streak — even one quality set counts.

Scaling in plain language: Easier — Half-circles only. · Harder — Larger arc.Full cues ↑