Do your hands hurt when you use your phone? All that texting and scrolling might be stressing out your fingers.
The term "texting thumb" can describe a wide range of phone-related pains caused by tired-out tendons and achy joints – like general stiffness, throbbing near the knuckle and a clicking sensation when bending the thumb. If left untreated, repetitive typing and swiping can lead to more serious issues like carpal tunnel and arthritis.
People have pecked away at devices for decades with warnings about overuse injuries – think BlackBerry thumb. Today's smartphones have gotten larger and heavier, the way we use them has also shifted: Beyond talking and texting, it's common to doomscroll for hours, pay medical bills and even watch full-length movies and TV shows.
"Mobile devices are here to stay. So rather than saying ‘you can’t be on your device,' we really just need to learn and think about ways to make the devices compatible with modern life,” said Dr. Maureen O'Shaughnessy with the University of Kentucky HealthCare Hand Center.
Locking wrists and elbows in the same position for hours can lead to soreness in places like the base of the thumb or wrist. Holding phones upright for long periods can also tire other fingers.
