Prehensile grip is one of the defining features of human beings and the ability to oppose the thumb should never be taken for granted. Clinically, painful conditions of the thumbs are definitely on the increase. This is mostly due to joysticks, keyboards and smart-phones. It is often assumed that all thumb joint pain is arthritis, however it can sometimes be overload of the Opponens Pollicis.
MUSCLE COMMENT
If you are a hands-on therapist and have been working for many years you may well suffer with thumb area pain yourself. It’s worth asking a colleague to locate and treat the Opponens Pollicis with IMS as the effects can be outstanding and last for several months. Alternatively, feel free to find it yourself and work on it with a pincer grip or by poking in a pencil rubber.
How do you treat trigger these trigger points? We’d be delighted if you want to share your own best practice.