“Today, there’s much
more contact—but a lot less communication.”
--N. DiNubile, MD
When I was a kid growing up
in downtown Philly, getting a black eye was a cool right of
passage. Now, blackberry thumb is the hip ailment that is
growing in popularity -- same for iPod finger.
Blackberry thumb and iPod finger are overuse-related
tendinitis in the hand that occur from repetitive thumbing
and finger use with small handheld devices that have grown
exponentially in terms of popularity. Even my somewhat
technophobe big sister sends me messages from all over the
globe.
In the past, when video
games just hit the scene, we saw "nintendonitis." Similar
ailments are now seen in the thumb and other fingers in
those who peck away at laptops, not known for their good
ergonomics. Instant messenger addicts get "texting
tendinitis" and cell phone junkies have "numb thumb." Carpal
tunnel syndrome too is on the rise. With new technology
comes new ailments.
Fortunately, these problems
are usually not serious and do respond to some simple
measures including avoiding the handhelds for a few days and
taking Advil or Aleve. Ice or heat and some stretching help
as well. If symptoms persist, see an orthopaedic specialist
who can make an accurate diagnosis and get you started on a
treatment program.
My best advice is to try to
prevent it completely by taking frequent breaks and
stretching regularly. Think of it as a rest stop on the
information superhighway. Try these simple exercises every
hour of high-tech hunting and pecking:
- Shake your hands out,
then open and close your hands fully ten times, like
making a fist.
- Put your elbow straight
with your hand open in front of you with your fingers
pointing up and your palm facing away from you like a
policeman signaling “stop”. Gently pull back on your
fingers. Hold 10 seconds and repeat.
- Next, with your elbow
still fully straight, reverse your hand and wrist so the
fingers are pointing downward- pull your palm downward
towards you. Hold 10 seconds and repeat.
- Shake things out again
and massage your palms, wrists and forearms.
These simple exercises can
go a long way in keeping you healthy. Even yoga has been
shown to be effective in preventing many of these common
repetitive strain ailments. Better yet, pick up the phone to
make direct contact with your friends and colleagues -- or
is that too passé? IM me your thoughts.
FitTip:
Remember contact is not communication, and communication
is not understanding. Don’t let your daily contacts fall
short- strive for quality interaction, especially with those
who are important to you.