Thumbs

[#2 was a miscarriage]

7 and a half years and I think my thumbs are done. My right one much worse. I was doing 30+ hours 3 years ago with no problem. I took sometime off and came back slowly 10 hours a week, then I did 4 hours of seated chair work for our grand opening and my thumbs just haven’t been the same. I’m only working about 16 to 20 hours a week and I’m icing and popping Advil likes it’s going out of style. I can’t cut any more hours, going back to school to have something to fall back on when my hands completely fall off. I just don’t know what to do but be in pain and I can’t give it up. Just plain old frustrated. :?

 

[bhram]

Sorry to hear that. Do you get bodywork? Acupuncture? I use to rub a liniment on my wrists and thumbs that really helped.

 

[TruthTeller]

I have one deformed thumb, and the other is missing the Opponens Pollicis. (large one at the base) I had to learn massage without my thumbs. It works fine. You could learn to just leave your thumbs out of it when you work, save yourself the pain and continue to massage.

 

[sexybare2]

what liniment would you advise? what are some ways to take better care of not just our thumbs but our whole hands and wrists?

 

[Janny]

7 and a half years and I think my thumbs are done. My right one much worse. I was doing 30+ hours 3 years ago with no problem. I took sometime off and came back slowly 10 hours a week, then I did 4 hours of seated chair work for our grand opening and my thumbs just haven’t been the same. I’m only working about 16 to 20 hours a week and I’m icing and popping Advil likes it’s going out of style. I can’t cut any more hours, going back to school to have something to fall back on when my hands completely fall off. I just don’t know what to do but be in pain and I can’t give it up. Just plain old frustrated.

Amyisms, I highly recommend you start using your forearms & elbows, instead of your thumbs. The DVD "Forearm Dance" is getting great reviews by MassagePlanetL members. This website shows a sample video clip:
http://www.atpeacemedia.com/pages/BODYWORKForearmDance.html

This website has the best price:
http://bodyworkmall.com/p-80156.aspx

You can use forearms with chair massage, too. Here's a great article about that:
http://www.massageandbodywork.com/Articles/FebMar2006/chair.html

what are some ways to take better care of not just our thumbs but our whole hands and wrists?

Jjazzsoul, your question's already answered on this thread. It's full of helpful ideas:
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2456

 

[rawr_i luv him]

Try using my elbows and forearms and the hand-L but I don't like the fact I can't feel what I'm working on.

 

[MMA]

Try using my elbows and forearms and the hand-L but I don't like the fact I can't feel what I'm working on.

With practice, you will be able to feel the muscles as well with other parts of your body than just your hands.

 

[Callisto]

Have you tried getting a Chiropractic adjustment? That usually helps me when my thumbs and wrists are bothering me. Also, try using knuckles as well as arms and forearms. Wiith a little practice, you will become more sensitive and able to use arms, forearms and knuckles to save your thumbs.

 

[HEY LIBS]

Amyisms,
I have had hand injuries twice in the 12 years that I have been a massage therapist. The first one was a thumb injury that the doctor diagnosed as a ganglion cyst. He said that it had nothing to do with massage--it just happens sometimes. This came on really suddenly after I over-did it one day, so I do believe it was work related. I had surgery, but it is tender at times. The second injury was in the palm of one hand. The doctor never could diagnose it (bone scan,MRI, x-ray...) and luckily it went away after 1-1/2 years. I re-learned some very important lessons from these 2 injuries. Always think of your own well-being first. Long after that person that wanted "more pressure" is gone, you will still have the injury. I learned to use differend surfaces of my hands (and lots of forearm/elbow work). It feels awkward in the beginning, but not for long. Practice on a friend first if it is more comfortable.
Good luck.

 

[callmejohn]

Sorry to hear you are having issues with your thumbs!!!

Nearly ruined mine 4 years into this profession, UNTIL, my dear friend and chiropractor showed me how to brace my thumbs against one another at a low angle to work down both sides of the spine while doing back massage. I don't use them for anything else, just that thumbs crossed over one another slide down the spine at a low angle move. And, I don't even think of using them for trigger point work or anything of that kind............ way to painful, and, as my chiropractor says, the thumbs are too easily injured and too difficult to repair because of their near constant use in everyday life.

To trigger point, I use "splinted" fingers, if I trigger point at all. Nothing is worth ruining your thumbs for.

Have used castor oil wraps on hands, wrists, and thumbs to reduce swelling, inflammation and to encourage healing. Perhaps, that might help you out a bit.