Aching hands

[Me&youC]

Hello everyone,

My hands have been aching lately and I am wondering how you guys deal with keeping yourself healthy? My thumb in particular and I have heard of therapists blowing them out... I don't want to do that!! Tips on how to keep my thumbs in shape would be great!! Thanks!

 

[Cooldude]

First and foremost, try not to use the thumb. There are many alternate ways to work. My pisiform, knuckles and even elbow can almost always be used instead of my thumb. Secondly, lots of self massage and stretching of the hands - lots. Before and after every massage, at least. Thirdly, alternating ice and heat is very effective in reducing soreness/achiness when it does happen.

And - welcome to MassagePlanetL.

 

[Ronald H]

Thank you Sharon and as I was learning to use the site I found great information on how to take care of myself. I have been doing massage on and off for the last 15 years and I am back doing it full time. However I only have done 10 to 15 massages a week and will only do 4 a day max as I don't want to burn out. I have the luxury of building my business back up with out worry so much about the money. I exercise everyday and I am working with a personal trainer 3 times a week to get into shape. But it freaks me out a bit that my arms and thumb on right side are aching and wonder how common this is. I love this business and want to be doing it until I retire so want to nip any issues in the bud before they become a problem. I cant wrap my brain around not using my thumb but I am going to practice that today. Have you tried any of those extenders or thumb contraptions? I am a traditionalist and love the full touch... what are your thoughts? Your name cracks me up is that from the movie Grapes of Wrath? one of my favorite movies.... Thanks in advance for your reply!

 

[Marti]

Hi Amanda,

Here are some threads that I think you'll find helpful:

This one contains lots of helpful advice for hurting hands:
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2456

This one reviews various tools to use in place of thumbs:
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=83

This is a link to "Forearm Dance" (A DVD that received positive reviews from many MassagePlanetL members. It teaches you how to use forearms & elbows in place of thumbs):
http://www.atpeacemedia.com/pages/BODYWORKForearmDance.html

 

[Roger Dodger]

I've never tried any tools, so I'm no help with those.

Rose of Sharon is both a phrase found in the Bible that I loved because it's what my grandpa called me (my name is Sharon). I've always loved roses, and though they are not the roses I love so much, the Rose of Sharon bush is a lovely flowering bush.....there were plenty of reasons to love it, so it's what I named my business.

And silly me...I have yet to SEE the movie Grapes of Wrath. I almost never watch anything, so I am many years behind on movies!! :

 

[joseph s]

Coincedentally my right thumb started aching a couple of weeks ago and I only do bodywork part time. There really is no way around it, your going to have to take pressure off of your thumb and let it heal. I've started to use my knuckles a lot, grabing whol hand pisiform, elbow.

I know its a drag not using your thumb the way your use to, but its your body telling you to make some changes.

Remember the two prime directives:

1. Don't hurt your clients.

2. Don't hurt yourself.

Everything else follows from the above.

Jason

 

[The One With Three Eyes]

Some good advice, all of which I agree with. I'd simply add frommy own experience:

If you're experiencing some inflammation after a day massaging, fill the sink with ice water and plunge your whole forearms in there for as long as you can stand it.

Do some warming and stretching each morning. Spread your fingers wide in extension and get some color into your palm and fingers. Warming and loosening the conective tissue in your wrists and hands can really help.

Find a therapist to trade with who will spend some time working your hands and forearms. Give yourself a break and let someone else work on you.

Take care...

Dave

 

[Layla]

I agree with all of the above..... esp. to view The Forearm Dance DVD....
And the cold water plunge,, that helps sooo much.
When I overdo it I immediately make an appt with my Acupuncturist. She always helps me rebound.

I try to see the aches and pains as a blessing- if I listen to my body soon enough I can quickly reverse the inflammation and use it to remind myself to use good ergonomics, and to use the forearms,, knuckles/ fists and elbows.

Good luck and I think it is neat that you are returning to your MT practice full time. Good luck !

 

[Ice]

I use my elbow a lot, including trigger point work.
To deal with pain in my hands I do contrast baths - a bucket of ice water and a bucket of hot water. I sometimes use just the ice water and sometimes I do paraffin baths. I can tell what my hands need at the moment.
When I hurt my hands a few years ago, I had my chiro do adjustments. Not the spine, the hands and the wirsts themselves. She was using the activator. I went to see her 3 times a week for about 2 weeks and it went away.
I take glucosamine and chondroitine to prevent arthritis. I also take flax oil (anti-inflammatory). A client told me today he takes alfalfa extract to treat his arthritis.

 

[Random R]

alfalfa extract? I will have to look into that.

 

[Tatianna.]

Re:alfalfa-- one of my clients just swore to me that it works as a very effective decongestant for her.

 

[hi-c]

Hey, I know what's like to have sore thumbs. Especially when you get these big male clients and they want it as strong as you can give it to them.

Then I started experimenting with using my forearms and really using my bodyweight (as opposed to strength) to give me leverage as opposed to pushing in with my fingers and thumbs.

This works great when leaning into the shoulders from the head of the table and also when you going from the lower back right upto the shoulders, parallel with the spine.

Have a play with it and see how you go. In regards to your sore thumbs, I used to soak them in a nice hot bucket of water with epsam salts, and marjoram and eucalyptus essential oils.

Hope that helps and that you get some relief!