Massage therapist self-care: Thumb pain

Are you a massage therapist with thumb pain? That's not too unusual. We tend to find many creative ways to injure our thumbs, often repeatedly over the course of our careers. When you get thumb pain, don't just accept it. It's an injury, so treat it that way!

When I injure myself (thumb-related or not), there are three phases:
0:00 Introduction
2:29 Phase 1: Rest
6:47 Phase 2: Self-massage and Stretching
9:26 Phase 3: Strengthening and Reintroduction

Take this slowly, be gentle with your rehabilitation, and make sure to consult a doctor if you have any pain that's sudden, unusual, or that doesn't get better with rest. Let me know if you have any comments, suggestions, or tips of your own!

[joybarber]

I wish this had been part of the curriculum in massage school. We definitely needed more self-care. Thank you so much!

[dawnanderson]

I had just went to a hand specialist . we discussed cortisone shot, and surgery. I didn't want to do either one so he told me to keep wearing the brace I bought and doing the hot and cold presses that I had been doing. He said I may feel better by Jan. I did this treatment and a couple hours later had almost full range of motion. A couple more times and no pain at all. Thank you so much. So glad I found this video.

[enriquehinojos]

I am completely grateful for this Ian. You know I follow a lot of your content and think you’re an amazing instructor. Thanks for this video and teaching.

[BznessVideoCreations]

Thank you! This helps me with my arthritis. It’s not just for a young massage therapists.

[warplanner]

Thank you from a non-therapist for this video. I started this and the pointers appear to be helpful. Also, thank you for your calm, relaxing manner without the testosterone-infused gym scene with obligatory head-banger heavy metal anthems! Your voice and manner are very soothing.

[costmoni]

What a incredible useful video; I have recently finished a Thai Massage course and one of my thumbs start to feel so much pain and of course, travelling travelling around the city I was which I didn’t get the change to see a Doc. Your video Ian, came to me as from heaven. 😊

[lynndella]

Wow! I had my first major flare-up of what I'm reasonably sure is arthritis at the base of my thumb and everything you suggest here makes perfect sense to me (and I've watched several other videos, too, that weren't as clear and concise). I'm out of ice cubes but I'm on my way to get the bag of peas out of the freezer! Thanks!!

[izzy]

I'm s
o glad I found you. It took 9 days to realize why I had/have terrible pain in my lower thumb areas and down my non dominant arm. I walked a wheel chair bound stroke patient up and down gradual hills just once to and from the library maybe a mile in toto. Now you showed me exactly what I had done wrong. Two weeks later still pretty bad and will begin your ice bowl treatment and wrap the worst hand/arm. In my early 40's this was a piece of cake with my parents at 69 not wheel chair pushing any longer. Youpresented your techniques wonderfully for us. Thank you.

[mrsjwd]

LMT for over 22 years specializing in CHAIR, no injuries. 3 months of table and bam! Sudden onset about an hour after only 3 hrs of table.

Thank you, I needed to hear that it’s an injury so I slow down. Sometimes we just plow through. And I need to give advice to myself like I would a client. Thank you for your voice of reason to bring me back to reality! You’re the best! Off to ice!!

[jimhendricks]

Awesome! Thank you so much. I'm a pianist, and I've been struggling with the base thumb joint. This is very helpful. Blessings to you.

[leotunstall]

Thanks for this video, I tell you with months of thumb pain, this really took away my thumb pain! Instant relief and rang of motion! Thank you again!!!

[indyw]

Thank you, Ian. A very useful video and well presented. It's helped with the thumb problems in my massage, which often feel quite stressed.

[mariahpickett]

thank you so much for your videos. binging them all right now and doing the massages. i feel soooo much better just 10 mins in. i cannot thank you enough for uploading these!! i will do these every day omg

[sandalwoodmassage]

Hi Ian. Thought I would have to retire. Thank you so very much for this! See you in Orlando next n March. I have so much to learn!🙌❤️

[memoiryou]

thanks for the uploading, Ian; i'm a masseur of 13 years and have had ongoing pain in my thenar muscles and joints creeping up on me slowly, recently. I was worried about getting thenar muscle atrophy as those muscles are not as developed as they were. i stretch my hands everyday and use essential oils to warm and soothe muscles at the end of each day, which helps but its less effetive now than say 6 months ago. I'll take your advice here and start to implement these ice techniques, and see my GP, too.

[deegray]

YES, YES, Ian Harvey, You are the BEST, the BEST INSTRUCTOR that I have reviewed yet. I had a serious horrible fall and fractured my right wrist (doctor) said in 5 places. I tripped & hit the concrete ground (HARD) walking outside & it felt like I was going 20-30 miles an hr. when I hit that ground & also cracked my front tooth. I refused operation, then later on I did get the operation & Doc placed a titanium plate & 8 screws inside by my wrist. Had therapy session. (Hand/Fingers were swollen like crazy) It's been 3 months now & I'm able to move fingers around abit but thumb and pinky fingers -- not too much. HOWEVER, I want to get these screws & plate out ASAP. BECAUSE now I'm feeling sharp, quick, striking pain like a huge shock which hurts like HELL ONLY around my wrist. The pain comes every now & then and even when I'm not doing any movements either. My surgeon refuses to take out the plate & screws. She said give it 2-3 more months. BUT I truly believe its the hardware that's giving me this pain & want it taken OUT. (My job calls for typing & writing all day). Your tips are excellent and I am trying out everyone of them. As I said this pain is horrible. BUT, BUT, BUT not as bad as DeQueven's pain. Because I did have DeQueven's about 30 yrs. ago -- & I think no no no Pain is more painful then DeQuevens. OMG ! However, I do not think what I have now is DeQuevens now, but your exercise is helping me. But I still want this hardware taken out of me & I'm sure that pain will stop. I'M GOING TO CHECK OUT & FIND ALL YOUR VIDEOS AND PUT THEM TO THE TEST. Do u think the plates & screws should be removed ? ? ? Thank you for your Helpful advise.

[symmetrymassagecentrestaff]

Fantastic video thank you for this. As a practice owner I'm always looking for ways to facilitate my therapists to look after themselves. I've added this to part of our induction and annual training. Thank you very much.

[stephaniegray]

Thank you, this video is helpful. This marks 11 years in practice and the first day of an official thumb vacation! In 3 weeks I'll watch it again and begin the stretching.
I appreciate your candid approach to admitting injury, declaring the break, and really rehabilitating. Your advice is right on in this video, thanks again.

[stephaniedeisner]

Massage Sloth, your vids are the greatest. Never stop making them. I've been an LMT for less than a year and your videos have been a Godsend. I appreciate your chill (and appropriately goofy) demeanor, and you clearly know what you're talking about. Thank you so much (and my thumbs thank you too).

[victoriamartin]

As a new massage therapist that just started working with clients, this video is a God send. Going to give my thumbs a vacation 👍 thank you!