Top 3 Trigger Thumb Exercises

Michelle, Hand Expert and founder of Virtual Hand Care, shares her Top 3 Trigger Thumb Exercises to stop triggering, catching, or locking of your thumb.

Trigger thumb is a very common hand condition that can greatly impact the use of your thumb with most of your daily activities. By using a combination of the Oval-8 ring splint and these top 3 trigger thumb exercises you can be on your way to healing your trigger thumb!

Remember it is important to see a Hand Doctor if you suspect trigger thumb so you can get a proper diagnosis and get on the right path to treating your trigger thumb. (see Disclaimer below)

✅ LINKS TO PRODUCTS I USE:
*I recommend getting 2-3 sizes to accomodate for normal finger or thumb swelling.

✅ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Top 3 Trigger Thumb Exercises
02:58 Exercise #1 Thumb Extension Stretch with Active Extension
05:07 Exercise #2 Passive Extension and Flexion Stretch
07:30 Exercise #3 Isometric Thumb Flexion of FPL

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*****
Disclaimer
This video is for educational and demonstration purposes only and is not to be used as a replacement for seeking medical advice or treatment of your condition. Virtual Hand Care, or its members, do not offer medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before starting any exercise program. Please know that performing any exercise or program is solely at your own risk.

[VirtualHandCare]

*I recommend getting 2-3 sizes to accomodate for normal finger or thumb swelling. Always make sure you size your finger/thumb according to instructions.

[Bhidalgo]

I’m on the wait list for surgery since it got so bad that throughout the day it kept locking and very painful. I started doing these exercises 3 days ago and I’m not making this up. All pain gone, no locking. I will see how it goes and maybe cancel surgery. Thank you so much for uploading g this.

[lisalu]

A+, thank you! A month ago I had severe trigger thumb. I almost couldn't bend it at all, and if I did, I had to use my other hand to manually unbend it with a painful POP that brought tears to my eyes. The base of my thumb was tender and painful. I went to a hand specialist who offered me a cortisone shot (I declined!) and prescribed four weeks of physical therapy 3X/week (which I can't afford, I don't have coverage for that.) I decided to do my own PT, and I found this video. I wore my thumb brace night and day, and did all these exercises 2X/day. I also added a few more, like stretching out my fingers against a rubber band, and massaging the base of my thumb. As the joint gradually improved, I would manually bend and unbend it as far as it could go without popping (a little more each week but I never forced it.) Once a day I did the exercises with my hand underwater while I was in warm epsom salt bath. As of today, I can bend and unbend my thumb without pain or catching. I have only the very slightest pop when I unbend it, so I'm still doing the exercises and being careful, but I have my range of motion back and can use my thumb normally again. I saved $1000 in physical therapy and got the same results!

[sandyschmidt]

Thank you so much! I did these exercises regularly for about 6 weeks and now have complete mobility of my left thumb, with no triggering or catching whatsoever. This video was a God send!

[archanahazarika]

I have been having right thumb finger pain with heavy stiffness for 6 months. Seeing your videos I practice exercises . Now all pain gone . Now I can hold glass, cups, typing without any locking. Thanks for sharing .

[shannonb]

It took 3 whole months but I am now trigger-free. So grateful for your video! Thank you!

[ojb]

Thank you!!! My specialist said that mine thumb is now the only one in 30 years that he has seen get better! All the others got the little quick operation with local anaesthetic. I will wait the full 6 weeks and see how things are.

[natairmoreira]

I started these exercises 4 days ago and have 50% improvement in my thumb. These exercises really work.

[markking]

Oval 8 and already seeing relief relief for that and now starting exercises. 1 week in and already seeing results. Thanks so much.

[vickiewallace]

My thumb is completely locked! I’ve done the exercises twice. I haven’t tried to bend it but it feels so much better! Thank you so much for sharing this!!!

[susanwood]

The last 2 days I couldn't even bend my right thumb without being in excruciating pain. So I started looking for exercises to help and I so glad I came across your video...Right at this moment after doing those 3 exercises I can move my thumb without bringing tears to my eyes. Thanks...

[DeeDee-yzku]

Thanks for the help!
My Oval 8 came yesterday! I love it! I can leave it on all day and wash my hand with it on. My home made splint was helpful, but I had to take it off to work in the kitchen. While I had it off, I away hurt my thumb. I am all so doing the exercises, and I am hopefully.

[jeanmader]

My trigger thumb began just recently, with popping in the morning, upon awakening. NO PAIN. I could feel the pop, but not hear it., but when I asked my husband to hold the joint gently, he could feel the pop. I just told myself a few months ago, that I should get two pot holders to get things out of the oven. I now get two, but, or of course I have to reverse this pop. I will try these exercises because the pain has been present just since yesterday, and I feel this is the first stages. At 77, I rarely suffer from ANY hand issues which is very surprising to me, because my hands are constantly busy, especially with cooking. My diet has always included lots of collagen from food. That may be the only reason I have had pain free hands. Thank you for the video.

[elainescholly]

Yes, this thumb-triggering is new to me! I hadn't heard of it before. This has been very simple yet extremely helpful. Thanks

[beckypearman]

Hi Michelle, just letting you know that this worked for me! I had determined through your video I was probably in stage two of trigger thumb on April 10th. After I had been to see a surgeon who wanted to do surgery, I found your video. I borrowed a too-large oval 8 the next day and taped it up until my correct size came in. I faithfully did your exercises and wore my brace for six weeks. During the last week I could tell the thumb was not going to trigger anymore. Now July 17th, I have been trigger free for a couple months. Only sign of anything is knuckle stiffness and it can get fatigued or "strained" when I over-use it. Thank YOU so much for helping me be proactive and heal myself without surgery!

[chrislim]

Thanks for your video! I start the exercise and I do it 2 to 3 times a day since two weeks ago. My trigger thumb has a lot of improvement. This is my second time got trigger thumb and I had the pain for 4 months. Doctor does not allow for injection anymore as I already had once and he send me home and want me to do exercise. I have been watching countless YouTube video, doesn’t help until I found your video, I believe I can recover if I continue with the exercise, thanks again!

[tsur]

fantastic excercises! thank you. It takes ages for me to get an appt. with a fysiotherapist, so this is a great help. Thank you!

[LynnDunn-bxji]

Thank you. I purchased the oval 8 yesterday and now doing the trigger thumb exercises. It's been 4 weeks and my thumb was getting stiff. My thumb is now relaxing and now I need to get the bend back your exercises.

[guildwoman]

I got the oval 8’s and now working on the exercise. 🙏🏻🙏🏻 this works!!

[photobizniz]

What a great companion reference video to the Virtual Hand Care online appointment I had with you! This is very helpful and it helps me understand how to do these isometric stretches correctly! Just following along as you did the exercises really helped my trigger thumb! Thank you for the work you put into these videos and for sharing such invaluable information! You are making the world a better place!