Do your thumbs start to hurt after a day of texting your friends or browsing social media?
Texting thumb is the overuse of the thumb muscles through repetitive movements, resulting in strained muscles and tendons. Similar to trigger finger, repeated strains to the thumb can cause clicking sensations, pain, stiffness, and possible arthritis and trigger thumb.
Here are some exercises that can be done to stretch and strengthen the thumb to prevent texting thumb from occurring:
Thumb Stretch
1) Gently pull the thumb back towards the body until you feel a stretch at the base of the thumb.
2) Hold for 30 seconds without pain.
3) Repeat 3 times. Do this 3-4 times a day.
Thumb Abduction with Elastic Band
1) Wrap your thumb and fingers with an elastic band.
2) Move the thumb away from the fingers to open up the hand, and hold for 3 seconds before slowly returning to the starting position,
3) Repeat 10 times. Do this 3-4 times a day.
Thumb Extension
1) Place hand on flat surface such as a table or kitchen counter
2) Lift the thumb upwards to its full range, and hold for 3 seconds before slowly returning to the starting position.
3) Repeat 10 times. Do this 3-4 times a day.
You may also gently massage the thumb and thumb web space to alleviate symptoms of texting thumb. Try these exercises out and see if they help!