Finger Mobility

So I've noticed, for the most part, that I can straighten any finger on my hand while keeping the adjacent one fully curled, creating a 90 degree angle between the extended and bent finger.  All, that is, except for my ring and middle finger combination, which is sorely lacking in mobility.

While I assume this is natural, I can remember having a greater active flexibility in my fingers when I was younger.  Passive flexibility is fine, as I can create the desired joint angle with use of an outside force, but I want to actively move my fingers into position.

When I attempt this, I can feel a very deep and strong contraction in the middle of my hands.  For some reason, I feel that if I can perform this movement I will have a much greater grip strength.

I encourage you all to try this, and let me know what you think the reason is for the difficulty of the movement, and whether you think it is possible for me to accomplish it.

EDIT: If my description was vague, just imagine making a "pistol" with your hands, pointing the top two fingers, except with lower two fingers fully curled like a fist.  Now try it the other way, with the bottom two fingers pointed.

I think you may find this is more an issue with tendons and insertions. Try this for me please;

1. Put hand palm-down on floor, raised onto fingertips.

2. Bend middle finger underneath hand. Curl it under.

3. Now raise ring finger into the air.

There. I have demonstrated that they do not move entirely independently, especially the middle-ring ringer. How does that feeling compare to the contraction you experienced in your hand?

Pretty much the same, but with less of a range of motion.  I've heard people say that it's impossible to raise your ring finger, but I can do it, if I contract hard enough.

Bipocni said:

Pretty much the same, but with less of a range of motion.  I've heard people say that it's impossible to raise your ring finger, but I can do it, if I contract hard enough.

If you can raise your ring finger, try curling your middle finger under further My point is that I think physiology is against you on this particular one.

I've been playing violin for 10 years, my left is hand is definitely more flexible for it, but I can't do what you describe, so don't worry about it. I can pull my thumb back to my wrist and passively I can get the fingers back to 90 degrees + easily whereas on my right, it's more like 60 degrees and my thumb is 1 1/2 inches away from my wrist if I pull it back. My grip strength is (was) okay too.

I've got pretty large hands for my size.

I can do what Charm suggests though.

Kit Laughlin's hand series is really nice: it went brilliantly with the elements from H1. I'd highly recommend it. The palm fascia stretch is my favourite one of the bunch, and the individual finger work is good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmMfW2kCkeE