Thumb opposition moves the thumb across the palm to meet a fingertip. The goal here is a clear comfortable path, not a hard pinch or a test score.
Support the forearm and hand
Sit comfortably and rest the forearm on a table or cushion with the palm facing you. Let the wrist stay in a neutral position and begin with the fingers relaxed rather than spread as far as possible.
Touch each fingertip in order
Bring the thumb pad lightly to the index fingertip, then continue toward the middle, ring, and little fingertips. The South Tees guide and Chelsea and Westminster guide describe this same sequence. Their hand therapy context does not create a universal clinical dose.
Use light contact instead of squeezing
Make a soft round space between the thumb and each finger. Release before moving to the next fingertip. Strong pressure can hide the movement by turning it into a pinch task.
Keep the wrist quiet
Reduce the reach if the wrist bends or the forearm turns to help the thumb. The wrist mobility guide and forearm rotation guide teach those movements separately. The Cambridge guide also keeps the thumb path within a comfortable range.
Observe without forcing
Notice which contact feels clear and where the thumb starts borrowing movement. The related finger tendon glides change whole hand shapes, so keep the tasks distinct. Stop for pain, numbness, tingling, swelling, locking, or symptoms that persist, and follow individual guidance after an injury or operation.
For a separate supported finger control task, Lift One Finger at a Time From a Table keeps the thumb and wrist out of the main movement.
For a different thumb direction, open the thumb out of the palm plane with the hand supported on its side, without touching or pinching a fingertip.
Fingertip contact differs from a sideways path along the table. Compare the supported thumb slide only with suitable professional advice, without adding a pinch or forcing range.