Blogpost 4: Texters Thumb

Using our thumb is the easiest way of using our gadgets. The thumb is known to be the least nimble part of the hand. And we use it to navigate our gadgets. By looking at our hand we can see that our thumbs are different from the rest of our fingers. Our thumbs are opposable. The most important thing we get from grasp is probably the ability to use gadgets and tools. Here are some information and tips to prevent having texters thumb and other finger illness.


I have read an article entitled "Texter's Thumb" written by Mary Bodel found on Ezine Articles. In this article it was said that we can see anywhere we go people text messaging each other, usually with the thumbs. Some can type almost as fast via the thumbs as they can with a keyboard. Some teens actually text up to one hundred times every single day.

What can you do to prevent it? Being aware of the potential problem is a start. Take a look at how often you use the tiny keyboard, and whether or not it is a consistent action on an every day basis. If it is, time to start making a few changes.




Use other fingers: Yes, it's simpler to just use the thumbs, but it might be an idea to alternate which fingers you use. This will help protect your thumb.

Give it a rest: You may want to reduce the number and length of these messages. This allows your thumbs to rest and the threat of inflammation to the nerves in the wrist. You should also stop texting after twenty minutes and don't start again for the same period of time.

Massage: Gently rub the thumbs, the hands and your wrists. You may also want to rotate the wrists and wiggle your thumb back and forth in order to keep it loose..

Exercises: Rotating your hand at the wrist, stretching and other exercises may help prevent texter's thumb. It may sound silly to exercise in order to text more, but it is a valid suggestion.

Mary Bodel quoted "There are things you can do at home, though it is a good idea to have the doctor check it out and make sure exactly what the problem is"

Instead of just texting or playing gadgets for a long period of time and abusing our fingers we can do house chores instead. That will be an alternative way of resting our fingers and other parts of the body to the harmful effects of gadgets.

I have read an article entitled "Texting Thumb" written by Wolfgang Luckmann found on Massage Therapy. 
In this article it was said that the dependence of consumers on these phones can easily lead to thenar tendinitis, an inflammation of tissues in the thumb. Some opt for surgery to repair or remove "blown out" tendons caused by texting, but from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), acupressure is one noninvasive way this modern-day injury can be addressed. 

Since texting thumb, more commonly known as Blackberry thumb, has little research surrounding it, there are no standard treatment protocols at this time.





Wolfgang Luckmann quoted "Our training as massage therapists, however, has given us sufficient knowledge to analyze the anatomy and physiology involved in this technology-derived injury, and provide relief for our clients who may suffer from it"

We don't need any treatment or therapy in this illness we just all need is self discipline in using our gadgets.

Having Texters Thumb is just a result of over usage of our gadgets with the help of our thumb. We all need to discipline ourselves and lessen of balance the usage of our fingers when we are using our gadgets. For me with self discipline anything will be possible.