Handquilters.... what to do for thumb pain?
02-26-2011, 01:27 PM
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: IL
Posts: 2,671
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.
02-26-2011, 01:39 PM
#12
Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 54
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.
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.
02-27-2011, 04:46 AM
#18
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,334
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.
02-27-2011, 04:58 AM
#19
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 55
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.
02-27-2011, 05:25 AM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Marengo, Iowa
Posts: 802
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
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
munchkinsmom
Introduce Yourself
41
08-20-2011 02:48 AM
