How I Unclench my Fist

I cannot use my right hand and arm much anymore. My right hand closes into a tight fist whenever it isn't being flattened by a brace. I have one brace for the day and one brace for nighttime when I'm sleeping. Here's a trick I learned that is universal for anyone with a hand.

When the hand is bent back with the palm up, the fingers will naturally close. When the hand is bent forward with the palm down, the fingers will naturally open. The technical term for this is the tenodesis effect.

Instead of trying to fight with my fist to make my fingers open, bend the hand forward and the fingers will loosen naturally. Then you can work with the fingers one by one to get them in the brace. If you need to, press on the knuckle of the finger to straighten it.