5 Simple Ways to Start Training Your Non-Dominant Arm to Create

Mother and Child
Oil on Canvas
Pa Ul

The arm is the most fundamental body structure an artist use.  It is used mainly to hold objects, do particular body movements and coordinate with other senses of the body.  Most activities are done usually using the arm.  The arm comprises the left and right side also known as the extremities.  We have the dominant and non-dominant arm.  The dominant arm is the arm a person frequently uses to do daily living activity such as holding objects (brush, pencil, and pen).  Most of us automatically know that the side of the hand we use frequently for writing is our dominant arm.  What if your dominant arm is disabled?  Preventing you from doing daily activities caused by disease or health condition such as paralysis, pain or injury.  As a remedy while your dominant arm is undergoing treatment or therapy sometimes you needed to reconsider using your other arm which is the non-dominant one.  Here are simple ways to start training your non-dominant arm.

Objective.  The objective of this is for you to consider using your non-dominant arm as an "assistant" to your dominant arm but not really as a replacement.  Simple activities of daily living such as dexterity, movement, precision, grasping objects becomes easier.  How to achieve this?  Strengthen first your non-dominant arm through therapeutic exercises either taught by a physical therapist such as the following range of motion exercises, strengthening exercises, and hand, thumb, finger activities.  For additional daily living training seek the guidance and/or assistance of an occupational therapist.

Goals.  Simple short-term and long-term exercising goals are needed.  It is the plot or time-frame for things to be achieved.  It must be in order for you to achieve your objective and get better results.  Set a short-term exercising goal (daily, weekly, or monthly) like achieving simple body movements to slowly increase strength.  Coordination of body movements using objects to build muscle dexterity.  Precision exercises to increase thumb and finger dexterity.  These exercises all pertains for your non-dominant arm.

Practice.  As they said "practice makes permanent."  Our thought or memory retains the simple exercises through constant practice.  Practice what you have learned during your therapy sessions inside or out of the clinic for you to be able to do your normal day-to-day activities.

Obstacles.  Be positive in what you are doing.  Be more optimistic in achieving your goals and objectives through practice.  You can overcome obstacles slowly (weary, depression, frustration) step-by-step.  "Rome was not built in a day" as they say so just be "patient."

Advice.  Listen to your physician and therapist’s advice.  They are important and must be followed.

In time your creative pursuit will linger in order to do simple things like holding your favorite brush or crayon for you to create your masterpiece of art.  Just do and follow the above guidelines.