All thumbs

News | HSW
01.12.2006

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has identified a new form of repetitive-stress injury for the 21st Century. "BlackBerry thumb" stems from excessive use of the popular PDA/mobile phone hybrid. Its symptoms are pain and/or numbness in the thumbs and joints of the hand, caused by over-use of the thumb-wheel and keypad, especially among middle-aged users where it can aggravate underlying arthritis. The APTA advises taking regular breaks and frequent hand-stretching exercises.