Texting Thumb
Have you ever noticed that your thumb has been sore or irritated after texting or using your mobile device? If so you are not alone. Check this out!
- The average American checks their phone 96 times per day, touch them 2,617 times per day and unlock them 150 times per day
- 98% of texts are opened within 5 to 90 seconds
- The average teenagers will send over 3,500 texts per month (about 6 texts per hour awake)
- The average adult texts 52-85 times per day
- Over all 23 hours per week are spent texting
- Over 6 billion text messages are sent per day in the United States
Fifty percent of people who text regularly will experience pain, swelling, or discomfort during or after texting, the percentage increases significantly if more than 100 texts are sent per day.
What may start out as a minor inconvenience can quickly turn into a major problem especially as it relates to work, sports, and play. Changes can occur to our musculoskeletal system without our notice and require significant time to correct if left untreated. This leads to days off of work, sitting out of sports, and limited function with our daily activities.
What Can I do to prevent texting thumb?
- Use the voice to text feature on your phone or alternate your thumb with your index finger to text.
- Move your fingers and thumbs throughout the day to keep your tendons loose and stretched out.
- Call, don’t text, especially if the message is longer.
- Track your smart phone usage and think of ways you can limit your usage.
What Can I do to if I have texting thumb?
Texting thumb is treatable. U.P. Rehab Services has a staff of Certified Hand Therapists who are happy to assist in your recovery and help to educate you to prevent relapses. They can provide exercises, pain relief, splinting and education for behavioral changes to assist you with the correction of your dysfunction and get you back to your activities without pain or discomfort. Visit our website locations for a therapist near you. www.uprehab.com. FREE Injury Screens are always available.
