Spending too much time texting on your smartphone is not only bad for your eyes but it can also cause some damage to your hands.
Dubbed texting thumb or smartphone thumb, this painful condition is caused by the repetitive motion of typing on a smartphone keyboard.
According to researchers texting requires our thumbs to make abnormal, forceful movements that overtime injure our tendons, the tissue that connects muscle to bone.
Formally called tendonitis, pain and stiffness in the thumbs has become more common as people are inseparable from their smartphones.
If you or someone you know struggles with texting thumb, here are some hand exercises from the Daily Mail that will relieve the pain and strengthen hand muscles.
Squeezing
For this exercise you will need a tennis ball or stress ball which fits comfortably in one hand.
Take the ball and squeeze it, applying pressure from your fingers, and then release. If you practice this exercise three to four times a day this will help to relax stiffness.
Extensor exercise
For this move, place your hand flat on a table with your palm facing downwards. Gently try and lift each finger and the thumb off the table, one at a time.
Try and lift the tendon as far as you can without it feeling uncomfortable.
Repeat this exercise three to four times a day to avoid any aches in your hand.
Finger bend
In this exercise, you will need to start by bending your thumb inwards towards your palm.
Then, try and touch the tip of each finger starting from first to last, holding each position for 10 seconds.
Doing this three to four times a day will help to strengthen your tendon muscle, according to fitness experts.
The Resistance Exercise
For this one, you’re going to need a rubber band. Place the rubber band around your fingers and make sure that the thumb is included.
Gently, push your fingers outwards as if you are trying to open up your palm. Do this exercise about five times a day to build strength in your fingers and thumbs.
According to fitness experts from OriGym, these simple exercises will help ease any symptoms of texting thumb.
