Texting has taken the place of phone calls in many instances. It's not uncommon to see people hunched over their mobile device, squinting at the small screen, rapidly moving their thumb or thumbs to get their text message composed and sent. Notice I said thumb or thumbs. When texting, it helps to use two thumbs instead of one because that helps distribute the burden on the basal joint (the joint at the base of the thumb).
The pressure applied at the tip of the thumb is magnified at the base of the thumb, according to a report on Forbes.com. Repetitive motion can cause pain and inflammation of the basal joint. It can even lead to thumb arthritis. If you're not feeling it yet -- pain, that is -- that doesn't mean you won't. Problems caused by repetitive motion can take years to develop.
It's not just texting that can cause problems. There is BlackBerry thumb, cell phone elbow, and Guitar Hero wrist. No joke -- these are conditions that are cropping up because of modern communication devices that require repetitive motions. Experts say you should take breaks, pay attention to your posture, and pay attention to your pain. Otherwise, the wear and tear on your joints from overuse may have longterm consequences.
Related Resources:
- Thumb Osteoarthritis - What You Need to Know
- BlackBerry Thumb Can Aggravate Arthritis
- What Are Repetitive Stress Injuries?
- More About Thumb Arthritis
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