Quote Originally Posted by eire View Post
I am a Physio working in predominantly Musculoskeletal outpatients at the moment. I have already started having pain in my thumb MCP joints after only 4.5 years working, with just over 2 years of that in Musculoskeletal therapy. Does anybody have any tips for preventing/ reducing the damage caused to thumb joints with manual therapy work (massage, trigger point release, mobilisations). I try to support my thumbs with my other thumb or fingers, but don't find it effective. Are there any splints/ supports that might be helpful? Or any specific techniques (especially for trigger points) that are less stressful on thumbs. I try to use my elbow or pisiform when i can.

Thanks!
There is a thumb spint made by an Australian physio that lets you place both thumbs into the splint at the same time. It was mainly developed for the issue you are having an the MCP and PIP joints of the thumb. Unfortunately I don't remember the name of it.

That said usually this problem arises with poor technique, such as pressing to much with the hand and elbow when mobilising. Think about a soft yet sturdy posture and use the gentle movement of your bodyweight to facilitate the mobilisation at the thumbs. Once I learnt to do that my thumb issues resolved - now just have wrist issues