Want To Know What I Learned At Thumb School?

Yes, there really is Thumb School and yes, I attended!

Okay, let me back up.

The pain in my left thumb (non-dominant hand) started gradually as a intermittent ache. The pain became more consistent with it sometimes being a stabbing or paining feeling.

Ignoring it wasn’t a good long-term strategy!

A visit to the orthopedist yielded a diagnosis of arthritis of the thumb. I elected to use a splint and take an anti-inflammatory for a week as my first step. A cortisone shot is my next option, but I usually start with the least invasive.

I went straight to occupational therapy and got my splint. I was offered a free one-hour Thumb School and scheduled that. After all, who was I to turn down something “free” that could be very helpful for the long-term!

At Thumb School I received a “textbook” with four lessons, as well as exercises for pain-relief and strengthening. Since Thumb School, I’ve realized how many times I “misuse” my thumb, leading to ongoing pain. So in addition to the exercises, I have to relearn how to do certain tasks that I have been doing without thinking for years. It’s a challenge to be aware of how I’m using my thumb, and then consistently complete a task a different way.

I will persist, though, because I don’t want the pain to get worse. I’m also doing the exercises with my right thumb to hopefully prevent a similar issue down the road.

What are my takeaways from this experience?

1. I was surprised to learn that 2/3 of the time, this arthritis is diagnosed in the non-dominant hand before the dominant one. This shows that “conventional wisdom” of how and when a health condition happens isn’t always right!
2. A regular routine of exercise is crucial to gaining and maintaining health. No, this isn’t a new revelation! However, “traditional exercise” is sometimes where our thinking ends and we don’t identify other options. Considering alternatives is crucial for several reasons. For example, it’s possible that you are unable to do a certain kind of exercise due to a medical condition. Or, like me, it never occurred to you that a specific type of fitness was important.
3. It was an important cue to be aware of my body so that I can seek medical attention sooner rather than later.

And all of this reminds me that often we neglect basic brain health. If this resonates with you, read my related post 3 Simple Ways To Maintain Brain Health.