Blackberry Thumb is a new type of an overuse injury. This is a manifestation of tissue damage from seemingly harmless repetitive wrist and thumb motions which result in numbness and pain.

Blackberry Thumb Treatment

Physical therapy is the corner stone in managing Blackberry Thumb. The goal of therapy is to relieve symptoms and to prevent the progression of the disease. Physical therapy is a combination of manual therapy and kinesiotherapy along with special therapeutical modalities. It provides reduction of swelling and inflammation as well as relief pain.

1. Manual therapy on the wrist (8-10 minutes) along with massage of neck and shoulders (8-10 minutes) every other day or 3 times a week.
2. Cold Laser Therapy 5-6 minutes 10 times together with manual therapy.
3. Electrical stimulation of the wrist area 10 times for 6-8 minutes.
4. Shortwave diathermy on the neck and upper back 10 to 12 minutes for 10 sessions.

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Blackberry Thumb Symptoms

People usually complain about numbness, hand swelling which later transforms to tingling or even pain. Tendonitis may also develop in severe cases.

Blackberry Thumb Prevention

Educational programs for patients, employees and employers can help avoid development of this particularly problem. It might be postural education, work site modification, wrist supports for keyboard along with exercises for upper extremities (hand, forearm, shoulder) and neck. Exercises like flexion-extension, rotation and stretchening will provide adequate blood supply and relief for tense muscle and tendons.

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