Sore Thumb

[Radd, Dorothy]

John,

I had a sore thumb such as you describe for several months this past year.
I was treated by an occupational therapist.  She used a method called
strain, counterstrain  which was developed by an osteopath by the name of
Dr. Jones  of the Jones Institute.  Anyhow, to help yourself now , with your
right hand  try to fold or roll your left thumb (including the base of the
thumb) into the palm of your left hand and hold it there for at least 90
seconds.  Make sure the left thumb is totally relaxed. The object is to
position the thumb in a relaxed state so you no longer feel the pain and a
pulse will return to the area.  You may not be aware of the pulse returning
but the therapist was when treating me. In case there is some  swelling of
the thumb ice can be applied for 20 minutes at a time.  When you are sure
there is no longer any swelling some heat can be applied.  You may have to
do this for several days or weeks but it does work, it did for me. Pain
medication will help take care of the pain but not the cause of the pain and
the cause is what needs to be addressed.  Hope this helps.

Dottie Radd, RPT
UW Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI 54481
-----Original Message-----
From: staytuned@idirect.com [mailto:staytuned@idirect.com]
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2000 9:02 PM
To: pianotech@ptg.org
Subject: Sore Thumb


Dr. Ron and others,

I've developed a sore thumb this past week. The pain is at the base of my
left thumb. Being a right-handed tuner it sure makes it difficult to check
my work with tenths as the stretch is a bit much.

Has anyone in the 59 plus age group experienced this? Could it be arthritis?

I had a rotater problem in my right shoulder a year ago, but it seems to
have mended on its own.

Don't tell me it's time to retire just yet. I won't even be out of debt
until 65!!

John Lillico, RPT,
Oakville, Ontario