Sore Thumbs

[Brutus]

I'm doing a research paper for school on manual hand massage tools. I hurt my thumbs in school. I can not  find any information on the web.

1. How many  Massage Therapists and bodyworks have done the same thing.

2. Did you have to leave Massage Therapy and bodyworking as a profession.

3. How long did it last.

4.What hand tools did you use in school. (nobble,   anatomical thumb saver, index knobber)

5. What did you do about it.

6. Any stories about  sore thumbs would be great.

Thanks,
Dan

 

[Hello K]

If a massage student is instructed properly on the use of their thumbs for various massage techniques there should be minimal soreness in the beginning.  If they are sore to the point of not being able to use them then something went wrong.  I personally do not and will not use hand tools in my massage practice.  You cannot feel through a tool the way you can with your own fingers/hands.  You may save your fingers/hands some wear and tear in the long run but again proper instruction is key.  Good luck with your paper.  

 

[Small Fry]

I had issues with my thumbs about 2 years after school.  It was caused from doing too much work without breaks (scheduled that way) or lack of getting adaquate work on myself.  You could say I learned the hard way.To answer your questions:

Did you have to leave Massage Therapy and bodyworking as a profession.

No, I am still working.  I ended up leaving this place of work due to personal issues and I had a little unexpected time away from massage.  About 4 months.

How long did it last.

 Once I was doing better personally, I got an office job for 6 months and then went back to massage full-time after that.  By that time my strength was not the same and I had to slowly built my strength back.  I occasionaly still had thumb pain since I was having work long massage days again.  But, once my strength was back, I had no more pain  

What hand tools did you use in school. (nobble,   anatomical thumb saver, index knobber)

 I believe I was introduced to the Knobble in school, but I don't remember.  We didn't really use tools in school.  I did used the Knobble on my thumbs often though while working there.

What did you do about it.

 Once I went back to massage work, I made sure to take better care of myself.  I now (and have ever since) receive massage and chiropractic every other week.  I stretch on a regular basis and I also work any area that is bothering me in between massages as soon as it starts.  I no longer work doing 6+ hours of massage a day either.  IMO, I never liked most tools.  The knobble and the Theracane are the only tools that I currently use off and on.   I also use hot stones which could be considered a manual tool.Best of luck in school and on your paper!

 

[Kernow Lady]

Sore Thumbs

We were not taught to use tools in school, and I don't think I'd like to use one. I think there would be less connection with the client, and you'd be more likely to hurt them. In my humble opinion, I think that's at least part of the reason people in general get a massage, is to be touched- as touch in itself is comforting and healing. I wouldn't think you could get that with a tool. I guess it might be appropriate if you do sports massage with athletes as part of their training for injuries and injury prevention.As far as the thumb pain, in school they basically told us to stop using thumbs. They said if we have to use them to limit it and support them when we can. Cut back your schedule if you can and find ways to work without using them so much.

 

[Charlotte]

Sore Thumbs

My thumbs were very strong, then one day they went past their limit and developed lots of thenar trigger points. Long time ago.The NMT course at my school intorduced P-Balls, but still relied heavily on thumbs. Most deep tissue/NMT instructors are anomolies with wonderous thumbs.Evolution did not design the joints, ligaments or muscles of the thumb to be compressed hour after hour day after day. It's simple biology. The thumbs design is for dexterity, not to hold up the body's weight.Proper thumb use is limited thumb use (reinforced or not).Tools can be a great addition and one can feel through the tool. I understand the resistance to tools, I had it myself.Rarely can clients tell that i am using tools- even sharp ones with rubber tips. So what if they could tell. Ten layers of muscles within the laminae groove (at certain levels) do not lend themselves to thumbs. Try getting the multifidi with your thumbs- the most important muscle goup in spine (perhaps the body).Most MT's never get there... yet the Multifidi are often the key to back pain and posture.The key is to be constantly switching between forearms, fists, elbows, fingers, thumbs, knuckles, palms in the massage - never stick with one "tool". Not to mention using a low table and leaning into the client. Swedish is taught with high tables and pushing (in most schools). Most students need to unlearn their beginning body mechanics. A lunge looks good in a photograph, but cannot apply compressive forces. Very few schools teach truly effective body mechanics.

 

[Stealth Redhead]

I agree with Palpateit -- use knuckles, elbows-(use other hand for a guide) etc.  Ask for feed back about pressure Also if using bodos (tools) check with your liability insurance if they cover them. I know of at least one co. that does not cover "T-bars" :'(Take care of your thumbs -- create space - work Thenar Eminence and Extensor Pollicis ... etc.  and dont forget about  using cold water after massage.Dave

 

[M C]

Sore Thumbs

Our school refers to thumbs, fingers, finger tips, knuckles, elbows, forearms, pisiform as "tools". In NMT, we are told to use other than thumbs for deep work in thicker muscle, due to burn out.

 

[aredsailjunk]

I have had sore/ weak thumbs lately too . I also have not been watching my body mechanics posture very well.  I work on my own doing massages two times a week.  In addition to that I use my hands alot at my other job. I  have experimented with the Knobble on a few people, and they seemed not to be bothered by it.  The omni roller is also an alright tool as well.  For trigger points though, I cant break my habit of wanting to use my thumbs though, and I want to start using my knukkles instead.  elbows are great as long as you know the right kind of pressure to use on certain people.  I have only been doing my own bussiness for about a month now.  I think I may start getting a massage at least 1-2 times a month along with chiropractic adjustments.  

 

[Scary Halloween Mask]

I started getting a sore right thumb as of late. My solution start using other parts of my body especially knuckles, thenar eminence, and of course elbows. I keep my table lower so I can really lean into someone with my knuckles. And now I'm consciously not using my thumbs as much and I'm much happier. As far as tools I'm using a massage stick that a local craftsman has developed an its working out well. I mostly use it on the feet.


Jason

 

[eunice]

Thumbs should be an extention of your radius, staying in line with that structure throughout.

As for tools, yes, use them. The more that tools are used (pressure bars, etc), the more you will be able to "feel" through them.

 

[dan 1]

Was taught in school that the thumb is one of the weakest joints in the hand to rely upon when using heavy pressure.... SO, we were taught to maintain a 30 degree slant to the wrists/hands at most, use elbows, forearms, etc. and to NOT use tools because you cannot perceive changes through them as well as you can through your own digits, etc.

Only time I ever loused up a thumb was when I trained race horses for a living - got a thumb caught in a hand hold on the driving reins, colt bolted off the track while I was ground driving him, and the thumb was sprained forever! Still gets cranky when I try to do too much in the way of "spreading" my hand out to work down a back or the like....

Good luck with your paper and your education.

 

[GemMouse]

Shortly after leaving massage school, I briefly had concerns about my thumbs. This was because I was doing lots of grip-intensive exercise while my massage practice was rapidly growing. Basically I overused the digit. I cut back on both, and was 100% again before long. However, I am now very conscious of anything that feels remotely amiss in my thumbs.

I do not use tools, and generally discourage their use. While tools make it easier to apply deep static ischemic pressure, it is impossible to be nearly as sensitive to subtle tissue changes during the work. Further, I feel that static ischemic pressure is moderately effective (at best), but dynamic and less-intensive ischemic pressure is very effective.

Static ischemic pressure is essentially pressing directly into a tender point, maintaining pressure without moving until a release is achieved or the practitioner chooses to move on.

Dynamic ischemic pressure involves constant shifting of the precise point and angulation of pressure in response to the constant shifting of the tissues, and may even take the form of super-short mini-strokes along the fibers. At least one study has shown short strokes to be more effective than static ischemic pressure, and my experience agrees.

At this time, I can not see how tools could be effectively employed in the application of dynamic ischemic pressure as described above.

To save my thumbs, I utilize other parts of my body, maximize use of good body mechanics and ergonomics, and frequently engage in exercises that strengthen and stretch my hands and the rest of my body. Self-care is all-important, and should never be overlooked.

 

[Meaux]

My left thumb and forefinger were severely painful for 2 weeks, then completely numb and weak for the past 5 days. For a week I've done Restorative Yoga, which brought back 40% of the feeling. It decreased the pain and really stretched my forearms in particular.

Today the acupuncturist I work with treated my left supraspinatus, levator scapula and teres. She put electricity through 4 points - the levator, posterior attachment of the teres minor, and left hypothenar eminence. Six hours later, and I still have FULL FEELING in my thumb & finger, and NO PAIN in my shoulder, arm or thumb!

 

[VIVA USA]

Six hours later, and I still have FULL FEELING in my thumb & finger, and NO PAIN in my shoulder, arm or thumb!

That's great to hear Ouch, I am glad you're feeling some relief!

 

[BruceMillerr]

Great Topic for the Forum!

Hi There!

I just joined the forum and will start my CMT training in three weeks at CSHA (Colorado School of Healing Arts).

In my research, I have seen a lot of information in reference to overworking the thumb!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand the school I am attending teaches Tai Chi (Tai Ji) - and using your own body weight to secure a deep tissue massage. This way you are not using ONLY your thumbs and fingers as a means of working the muscle(s).

I have seen a lot of folk mention the use of other body parts; elbow, knuckles, fists - to alleviate a lot of the use of thumbs.

I don't know enough about bodos? (tools) to comment.

I consider myself blessed - I've got some excellent elbows and it is one of my queries when I begin my schooling - how can I use that joint between the humerus above the radius and the ulna?

Tee hee hee :

Keep smiling and be happy!
xhopiex

 

[Month]

Great Topic for the Forum!

In my research, I have seen a lot of information in reference to overworking the thumb!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand the school I am attending teaches Tai Chi (Tai Ji) - and using your own body weight to secure a deep tissue massage. This way you are not using ONLY your thumbs and fingers as a means of working the muscle(s).

It's a weakest link thing, but you are correct.
It takes time for the hands to become strong enough to handle the force you can deliver with your legs and hips.

"If you give me six hours to chop down a tree, I will spend the first four sharpening the axe."
Abe Lincoln

 

[Rose]

Sore Thumbs

I'm doing a research paper for school on manual hand massage tools. I hurt my thumbs in school. I can not  find any information on the web.

1. How many  Massage Therapists and bodyworks have done the same thing.

I have not hurt my thumbs, but I acted as a temporary therapist in a busy day spa intermittently for two years and had some very severe finger issues (swelling and pain) due to continuing to give it everything I had instead of backing off on the week-end work which consited of 7 - 8 massages on those days. I used Salon Pas patches for each knuckle after the week-ends and would also drop my hands into the pedicure baths before going home each evening. Pedi baths for the hands helped a lot.

2. Did you have to leave Massage Therapy and bodyworking as a profession.

No.

3. How long did it last.

I'd say about 6 - 8 months.

4.What hand tools did you use in school. (nobble, anatomical thumb saver, index knobber)

Nimmo tools aka T-Bar.

5. What did you do about it.

Mentioned for #1 above.

6. Any stories about sore thumbs would be great.

Nothing about the thumbs, but about 4-6 months ago I had a pretty bad extensor injury to my left forearm which didn't put me out of commision, but made me work a lot diffrently until it healed (It took about 4 - 6 month to heal. I got TP work, used a lot of Sombra and on occasion took some Ibuprofin and ice -- but I am not a good patient, so I didn't ice and Ibu like I should have.