Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
Handquilters.... what to do for thumb pain? >

Handquilters.... what to do for thumb pain?

Handquilters.... what to do for thumb pain?

Old 02-26-2011, 01:27 PM
  #11  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: IL
Posts: 2,671
Default

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or Aleve if is is otherwise ok for you. Rest and 20" on, 20" off, 20" on of ice. These are to reduce the inflammation, which is causing pain. Chiropractic, acupuncture, CST also likely to be helpful.
Maia B is offline  
Old 02-26-2011, 01:39 PM
  #12  
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 54
Default

I'm a reflexologist, so I am coming from that direction. Have someone massage your hand, using a drop of olive oil to reduce friction. His thumbs should be on the back of your hand, his fingers doing little rotations on the palm. Then, his fingertips should stroke the palm, wrist to knuckles. This should be relaxing. Next he should make circles on the pad below the thumb. Press with index finger and thumb between your index finger and thumb in the fatty area. It may hurt- a little pain is alright, don't get carried away. The pressure can be constant, or he can press and let go several times.

Still with me. Have him use his thumb and index finger to stroke between the long bones on the backside of the hand (one finger on back of hand, other on palm). He should now be able to crack your knuckles easily as he lightly twists your fingers a little.

He then runs a finger or thumb on the underside of your arm from your wrist (near thumb) along the bone about half way up the forearm. You'll find sore spots. He should massage your forearm.

Stretch your hands, opening them up and closing them several times. Next, massage from the base of the skull to the center of the upper back. With all of this done, lie on the floor facing the ceiling. Put your arms out so you resemble the letter "t". Bring arms straight up so the hands meet. Drop back into the t. Do this twenty times.
Maura is offline  
Old 02-26-2011, 01:47 PM
  #13  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Elmira, NY
Posts: 6,113
Default

Biofreeze works well for me. A little more expensive but worth it! Just takes a little and you don't have to rub it in.
wolfkitty is offline  
Old 02-26-2011, 02:55 PM
  #14  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: in retirement
Posts: 1,513
Default

Rest & aleve!
gal288 is offline  
Old 02-26-2011, 02:56 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
bunniequilter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Buried Under My Stash up in Canada!
Posts: 545
Default

Keep at it and it will go away.
bunniequilter is offline  
Old 02-26-2011, 08:31 PM
  #16  
Super Member
 
IBQUILTIN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: North Fork Ca
Posts: 8,234
Default

Cobroxin gel - get it at Walgreens. Greatest stuff out there
IBQUILTIN is offline  
Old 02-27-2011, 04:35 AM
  #17  
Member
 
barney's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Mo.
Posts: 91
Default

I find exercise is the best solution (for almost everything). I use a tennis ball to squeeze and flex the fingers and it helps a lot.
barney is offline  
Old 02-27-2011, 04:46 AM
  #18  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,334
Default

WoW!! You all have a lot of wonderful suggestions. I rested it yesterday..... did dishes in hot water, massaged the hand and did flexing exercises. It feels some better this morning. The joint right next to my wrist is always tender and if I knit it will get so sore that I can hardly move it. So, something is going on in there. I probably will check with a chiropractor or my medical dr. Thanks you guys..... you all always have great suggestions for what to do.
nanna-up-north is offline  
Old 02-27-2011, 04:58 AM
  #19  
Member
 
DoxieFive's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 55
Default

At one point, I "over did" my thumb by pulling and pushing my needle through a seam allowance. My thumb really hurt for quite a while. Now I have a small pair of pliers that I use for tugging the needle through difficult areas. This helps a lot.
DoxieFive is offline  
Old 02-27-2011, 05:25 AM
  #20  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Marengo, Iowa
Posts: 802
Default

Originally Posted by klgreene
I see a chiropractor. It's amazing what they can do. I very recently fell off my sewing chair. Dumb move! I thought I sprained my wrist, so just wrapped it. After almost two weeks the pain was still there so just went to my chiropractor. It was jammed, he sneeked up on me and unjammed it ( that was yesterday) today, I am going to do some sewing, which I haven't been able to do for almost two weeks. He adjusted my fingers as well. No pills, no doctor telling me it would take a while to get better....just and adjustment and I feel really good. Works on my shoulders too after sewing to long.


I like your curing method. I know that many people truly don't believe in chiropractors, but I know from experience that they were my blessing more than once. No pill can cure everything. I go regularly just to keep myself in shape. Oh, yes, I also go the a regular MD, depending on the circumstance. They both have their place. My opinion of course. Marge
Marge L. is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
munchkinsmom
Introduce Yourself
41
08-20-2011 02:48 AM
roselady
Main
17
01-30-2009 01:58 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter