Monday, June 29, 2015

Texting Your Way to Arthritis

Texting Your Way to Arthritis
Maybe you’ve heard the term “blackberry” thumb before and wondered if that condition really existed.  There are several other condition names that have been thrown around loosely such as iPhone thumb, cell phone thumb, etc., but all of them are modern, common names for a condition known as De Quervain’s tendonitis.
 
When De Quervain’s tendonitis isn’t treated appropriately or if treatment is delayed, it may lead to the development of osteoarthritis in the joint where the thumb connects to the wrist.  It is therefore best to seek treatment for this potentially disabling hand condition sooner rather than later.
 
De Quervain’s tendonitis has been around for a long time and doctors have tried many different things in attempt to treat this painful condition.  Common treatments for De Quervain’s include anti-inflammatory prescription medications, cortisone injections and even surgery in extreme cases.
 
Texting-Thumb PainHowever there’s actually a non-surgical treatment that will not only alleviate the symptoms associated with De Quervain’s tendonitis, but also correct the underlying problem that caused the condition to develop in the first place.
 
De Quervain’s tendonitis is a painful condition that affects a couple of the most prominent tendons that control the movements of the thumb.  These tendons glide through a pulley system (or sheath) as they pass through the wrist before connecting to the thumb bone.
 
Healthy thumb movement and action requires healthy alignment of the thumb joints and wrist (carpal) bones.  When these bones and joints are aligned properly the connecting muscles and tendons will function harmoniously to provide proper thumb movement.
 
With healthy thumb and carpal bone alignment you should be able to use your cell phone or PDA device to send text messages without any pain or discomfort.  However when you lose the healthy alignment of these bones and joints, with repetitive activities such as texting and playing games on your cell phone or other device, you may begin to develop stress in the interconnecting tendons and joints.  This continued stress may lead to De Quervain’s tendonitis.
 
Once you understand the relationship between healthy thumb and carpal bone/joint alignment, it becomes apparent why chiropractic adjustments to the wrist and hand can alleviate the stress and dysfunction associated with De Quervian’s tendonitis and other hand conditions.
 
If you suffer with pain in your wrist or thumb, whether it’s related to texting, gaming or other repetitive activities, we highly recommend that you schedule an appointment with us to have your wrist and hand adjusted.
 
***Disclaimer: This content is solely for informational purposes and should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. It is recommended that you seek professional advice by a licensed health care professional.

Scott Chiropractic and Wellness
Matthew Scott, DC 
5080 Virginia Pkwy Ste 550
McKinney, TX 75070
(972) 540-5445
www.scott-chiropractic.com

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