Thumb Pain and Chronic tendonitis

[ACWN]

Hey,I am so sorry to hear about your injury - especially since you were off to such a great start in your practice.The first suggestion I would make is what you have done - rest, but I suspect you can't really afford to take a month or two off. So as a more practical suggestion can you support your thumb at all? Things like applying the pressure with both thumbs on top of each other to half the pressure on each one, or placing the other hand on top of the thumb you wish to work with and applying the pressure through that hand? So you are not putting any pressure on down through the thumb joints, but instead applying the pressure from above.Hope this may give you something you to work with.Foz xx

 

[Chance M]

The thumb pain will resolve only if given enough time to rest and heal.  I've experienced this myself and the best thing I did for myself was to get away from so much thumb pressure and rely on forearms, elbows, knuckes, and use the three middle fingers together.  Don't forget your breathing during the session.  Hopefully in the future you could explore learning some Lomi-lomi techniques to incorporate or some of the wonderful modalities done with the feet.  I credit Ashiatsu training with extending and increasing the quality of my massage career.  Also, Laurianne Greene's book "Save Your Hands!" is valuable. Best Wishes,

 

[Pompal 09.]

Thumb Pain and Chronic tendonitis

At first, I thought you were a reflexologist (when I read the subject matter). I don't know if you can do this (financially), but I would allow only working every other day so you have rest in between each day of work. Also, instead of heat, I would use a combination of heat and ice since it sounds like there could be some inflamation as well (tendonitis). I was using my forearms and wrists way too much (from typing at a keyboard at my dayjob/doing massage work in the evenings/playing racquetball or tennis in my free time) and I ended up with major issues and could barely do anything w/o a lot of pain. After lots of weeks of rest, they have gotten quite a bit better but to this day, I never got back 100% strength and don't know if I ever will.Hang in there and remember you can't trade in for a new pair of arms/hands--so be kind to the ones you do have.  Be well,Jen

 

[Jacobo]

yayyay!yaObviously, complete rest would be ideal.  But, if that's not possible, can you request that your job give you less deep tissue clients?  How about massage?  Are YOU getting regular massage?I would seriously look into Ashiatsu Oriental bar Therapy training or some other type of barefoot massage.......it will definitely save your hands.www.deepfeet.com  

 

[makinroadkill]

Michael Young's Repetitive Use Injury Therapy techniques have helped save my wrists and forearms.  I've been a mt for 5 years and 3 of those years working full time, mostly deep tissue massages.  When I took his class and learned self-stretch technique to prevent carpal tunnel and tendonosis, I have yet to have any problems.If you can't take the class, use the locator service on http://www.mrtherapy.com and find a practitioner in your area, I'm sure they'll show you how do to the stretches.

 

[John L]

as well as foot and lomi lomi techniques - hot stones.  Might be considered a bit too day spa but they allow you to work much quicker and deeper.You've got to save your thumbs, and tools may be part of the answer... Old threads on massage tools:http://www.massageplanet.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=mass_tech;action=display;num=1057103420;start=8http://www.massageplanet.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=mass_tech;action=display;num=1050167701;start=31http://www.massageplanet.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=mass_tech;action=display;num=1095255330;start=2That last one has a big post about Acuforce.  All three threads also go into non-tool ways to handle deep work, save thumbs and wrists.

 

[Kat]

JWoellert,Believe me, I feel your pain.  Before I became an instructor, I knew I would have to really work on my technique before I passed my lack of knowledge on to my students.  One of the first things I learned was what touchabilities told you:  rely more on other parts of your body for deep tissue work instead of the thumbs.  Thumbs are fine for proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, but you can be effective using the elbows, knuckles, forearms, etc.  Sometimes you can even use the side of your hand while stripping; using the pads of the thumbs to strip the forearm, for example, can be painful for the client and for you.I also instruct in shiatsu, and it is absolutely FABULOUS for specific deep tissue work!Hope this helps.Dana

 

[Micky C]

Thumb Pain and Chronic tendonitis

Thank you for all the wonderful advice. I will keep all of it in mind when I massage! (formerly Jwoellert)

 

[Bosco]

I get regular acupuncture on my thenar eminance and other forearm meridians as well.  It's given me more strength and relief.  ICE ICE ICE also, and regular massage (weekly or biweekly at least) plus self massage.  After every massage I'm up to my elbows in ice cold water for at least 30 seconds.  Ask for healing energy for yourself as you give massage.  Hope this helps.  

 

[Nibej]

JWoellert wrote:  "Some people may think that is a good thing to have 5 clients a day right off the bat"I don't. A fellow student started working for a chiro doing 4 massages/night. Within a week, I think, she was constantly hurting. I learned from listening to her. I worked my way up to 3 or 4/day. I hope you can get your boss to understand you have to take care of yourself. In the meantime; ice, massage, and, as touchabilities mentioned, the book : "Save Your Hands!" Also, the video Neuromuscular Therapy and Deep Tissue - The Torso by Sean Reihl.

 

[gaga4cash]

Thumb Pain and Chronic tendonitis

All good advice! I know that Fozzyo's works especially cause I do that.Elbows are certainly there to help too...I always ask the person on the table to monitor the comfort of the pressure. Besides, the more you use them for Massage...no dry elbows ever *g*One of my Instructors made himself a wooden thumb...hollowed out part of one side of a thumb-sized piece of wood, rounded out and made all the edges smooth. I never tried that...but it kept his thumb joints straight and worked well for applying pressure.

 

[PokerFace.]

Thumb Pain and Chronic tendonitis

When I first graduated from Massage school, I jumped into a full time practice immediately (22-24 per week!). I was hurting before I could cash my first checks! Here's what I did then (it helped), and here's what I do now:I sought regular chiropractic care. My wrists & thumbs were adjusted just as often as my neck/upper back. My chiropractor suggested I drink black cherry extract (found in any health food/supps store) & do ice baths up to my forearms twice a day. It helped. I learned even more about changing my work & that helped alot too.Now-a-days I would suggest sleeping at night with wrist compression braces. I do this after particularly taxing days or blocks of appointments where I am working 'so hard it hurts'. I can go to sleep with very swollen fingers/wrists & distal forearm & wake up with no inflamation at all after wearing those braces. I still am devoted to ice baths when I need them, although I hate the sensation of them even still.One last thing. Get quiet in your mind & seriously look at your work. I have done this twice in the last month & a half for two different physical complaints I developed. Your effectiveness can still remain optimal while changing your work patterns. Here's a specific example: yesterday I had only 3 therapies. All three deep tissue. 1hr/90 min/90 min. All three differing needs, but 'tough' work. During the quiet time I had between number 2 & 3, I knew I was headed for a hurtin & decided to do something about it. I made good creative decisions about my work on client 3 that really opened my mind. I knew I was going to have to really work hard & long on this last back. That's where I do the most thumb work. (the accupressure, the stripping & cross fiber work, etc). I worked on the back until I was approaching my limit, added sombra & my wheat berry heat packs... moved on to a leg & foot, giving my entire body a different flow & feel. Back to the back. Briefly. Added a cooling gel. Moved to the other leg/foot. returned to the back/neck/shoulders. Normally after I'd flip this client I'd work immediately again on neck & shoulders. No way. draped/wrapped a heat pack (so she got heat-cool-heat) around the shoulders & neck like a collar. Worked front of leg first, etc, etc. I got creative, we both benefitted from changing up 'her' protocol. She felt the benefit of my energy & am not hurting today.I have to add, I don't do cookie cutter massages, but I do have different plans or maps with different clients. I thought that was 'customizing' my work. I found out yesterday how much further I could bend my own sensibilities & help us both.Good luck.Can you secure a mentor in your local area? Somebody who graduated from the same school, etc? They can help you with some different strokes, etc. Sometimes its not a ripe time (or affordable, etc) to take a new class, etc. You could even get a group of local MTs together for 'swap' tea hour, etc. Swap success stories, secrets, etc. Plan on trading with one another, etc.Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[Lost Girl]

Thumb Pain and Chronic tendonitis

I have never read the book but you can have a look at the http://www.saveyourhands.com website for the book of the same title. It may offer some advice that can help.Mat xxx

 

[Twiggy]

Thumb Pain and Chronic tendonitis

My first thought was how is your body language?When I do deep work, I drop my table 2-3 holes, use cream not oil, and go very slowly. Watch your body mechanics, and never use your thumb for deep stuff! That's what elbows are for.www.nohandsmassage.comhollowbone

 

[Michael T]

Thumb Pain and Chronic tendonitis

Hey,Thanks again for all the input. To Hollowbone- I usually practice with my table as low as it can go and I always use cream. Last week I was having some pain in my flexor carpi ulnaris on the pisiform attachment in my wrist. Surprisingly my thumbs have not been hurting at all. I slowed way down last week with each client and that really helped. I had 22 hours of massage last week, 5 of which were on saturday. I talked to a chiropractor about acupuncture and she made me feel like that could really work for me. We'll see though.

 

[Stirfry0]

I second the motion to slow way down when doing deep tissue.   Deep tissue massage is usally body part specific.  I hope you are not trying to do too much work within the alotted hour.  When using the thumb to apply pressure, work gently into the tissue and allow the tissue to respond to the pressure before going any deeper into the muscle.  I use my thumb mainly to palpate the tissue and apply pressure gently, slowly and then deeply to the trigger points.Get those forearms of yours worked on and do some strength training.

 

[Carlee]

I remember when i first started, too eager to please and end up injuring my wrist, it took 6-7 months to heal and after that it was golfer elbow, that took 6-8 months as well and during that time I compensate by using my left arm to save my right elbow.now my left shoulder hurt like a son of a gun and today after another 7-8 months, I woke up with no pain.  The sacrifice we have to make.If you are in glendale, AZ. come in for a free treatment.

 

[...]

Thumb Pain and Chronic tendonitis

Oh boy I wish I lived in AZ but I live all the way in Raleigh, NC Thanks for the offer!

 

[moon]

This is just a little thing that may help as far as some swelling you may have is concerned.LeMitt - Therapeutic Cold Pack Mitt http://www.lemitt.com/I have never lused it, but it at least looks like something some of us should have in the freezer... just in case!  

 

[zoroxd6]

Thumb Pain and Chronic tendonitis

You might consider using some of the following tools for deep work until your hands and thumbs heal:http://www.mtso.ab.ca/index.php?cPath=30