De Quervain's Tenosynovitis: The One Exercise You Probably Aren't Doing (But Absolutely Should)

When dealing with de Quervain's we obviously spend the majority of our time treating the overloaded and irritated thumb tendons. However, I'm finding that the neck may hold the keys to explaining both the onset and persistence of de Quervain's tenosynovitis.
In today's video, I discuss the seemingly hidden link between lower neck dysfunction and de Quervain's tenosynovitis and one exercise that you most likely aren't doing - but absolutely must try.
I genuinely hope this helps those struggling to shake their thumb pain!
👍 If you found this video helpful please consider leaving a SUPER THANKS donation! It's a great way to show some support to myself & the channel and would be greatly appreciated! [The Super Thanks icon is just next to the Like/Dislike button]
- Grant
Time Stamps:
0:00 Intro
1:11 What is de Quervain's Tenosynovitis
1:48 Finkelstein's Test for de Quervain's
2:31 How the neck effects de Quervain's
6:40 Lacrosse Ball Neck Stretch
Lacrosse Ball: www.yourwellnessnerd.com/prod...
🔴 Subscribe for more tips just like this: bit.ly/2Sh5zfm
About Your Wellness Nerd:
Your Wellness Nerd offers a new perspective on pain, injury, and improving your quality of life based on the work of one really passionate Physical Therapist. Grant is a HUGE nerd about optimizing human function and performance and hopes to provide the "a ha!" moment you didn't realize you were looking for.
📝 - Visit the Your Wellness Nerd website for more in-depth information on these topics: yourwellnessnerd.com/
CONNECT WITH ME ON THE SOCIALS:
👥 - FACEBOOK: / yourwellnessnerd
🐦 - TWITTER: / yourwellnessnrd
📸 - INSTAGRAM: / yourwellnessnerd
👔 - LINKEDIN: / grant-frost
📌 - PINTEREST: / yourwellnessnerd
#dequervains #thumbpain #rsi

[@YourWellnessNerd]

If you're looking to overcome de Quervain's tenosynovitis please take the time to have your neck checked out. It could genuinely be the missing piece you're looking for. Hope the video helps! SUBSCRIBE!!

[@Isaac-wr8et]

I am actually doing this, and this gives me more confidence that maybe I will be able to rid myself of this nightmare soon :)

[@traceyyuse8540]

fascinating....I like that you "go deep".. massage therapist for over 32 years here in US. Tyou for this video! I treat the whole puzzle so appreciate your approach...

[@beedee874]

I've deQuervain's and after seeing your video wondering if it might be connected to having TMJ. DQT came on after drumming 8 gigs over a weekend (haven't played in 2 months now) but maybe the TMJ is a root cause?

[@bigpapes]

So several weeks back I started to develop a pain in my right hand/thumb during the night, but the pain would go away not long after getting out of bed. The pain slowly started to get worse. Since it was happening at night, I assumed it had to do with my neck so I went to my Chiropractor for an adjustment. When I told him my story he basically scolded me and told me it had nothing to do with my neck and back and sent me off with no work done. I tried literally EVERYTHING I could find online, with only minimal success. Found your video today, and used a handheld back massager on my neck and shoulders. I could feel a huge amount of tension release in my wrist and thumb almost right away, and I'm definitely tender especially on the side of the hand that is hurt. Big thanks for your video and I plan to continue with the massage and will definitely get some tennis balls to continue treating.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Mate that's brilliant to hear! I'm glad your initial thoughts we justified, and happy to have helped connect those dots a little for you! Once my patients can hit the right spots and can figure out where their neck postures are letting them down there can be significant change. Hope you can conquer it ASAP!

[@nicholasbowerman8040]

Just need to add another success story! Immediate relief and mobility in my thumb and wrist after doing this one time. This is so amazing. Thank you!

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Great to hear Nicholas!

[@user-um3lk9vp5r]

Brother, its been 1 hr since I watched your vid: I substituted a lemon for the lacrosse ball but also used a chiropractor wedge for my neck. Neck feels better, thumb feels pretty good! You just connected my dots for me. I'm a high volume spay/neuter veterinarian and you're saving me, I appreciate you!

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Great to hear Alle! Hope it has a big impact on your symptoms!

[@Will-ix2lj]

Unreal - I did the exercises with a Lacrosse ball along with some further stretching exercises up at neck level and the pain that had been building for a few weeks started easing straight away, without touching the thumb or wrist. Thanks man!

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Awesome Will! Glad it helped!

[@gomez210lolife3]

Iam impressed I tried it, and after the second time, I could tell the difference in my thumb pain, that's been hurting for weeks.thank you so much. Today was the first time in a long time I was pain free. While using my hand. GOD BLESS U❤❤❤

[@JenniferPeterson-uk5fz]

Thanks for taking the time to get this important info out to those who suffer!! I look forward to catching more content!!

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Thanks for being on board!

[@steviebecoming850]

This was simply Amazing. ☺ Everything is connected. Just makes so much sense when someone such as yourself cares enough to share their knowledge. Thank You for caring and sharing. This post is not only so good for our bodies but also our morale. Wishing You Wonderful Blessings in All Your Life's Endeavours - Thank You ☺❤☺

[@TheDumpling184]

Oh my gawwwwwwd I think this video has unearthed the root cause of my annoying pain! I never would’ve guessed treating the neck area would be so crucial. My hair cutting career thanks you 🙏

[@annkohen8879]

Feel so lucky to have found your video. Tried it with a tennis ball and found that sore spot on my neck. Definitely helped me even after a first try. Will definitely continue. Many heartfelt thanks!

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Great to hear Ann! Hope it has a big impact for you!

[@karenpage9383]

I know this video has been out a year now but I just found it and my mind is blown! I have always had neck pain, so much so that I sought out an upper cervical orthospinologist to treat it. He made the connection that my shoulder was involved, which has also been a decades long issue with rotator cuff surgery 13 years ago now but years of pain prior and lingering issues since. But I had no idea that the neck issues I have, definitely a posture issue from computer work, could be behind it! Thank you so much! Now I'm off to check out the rest of your channel and giving serious thought to how to make adjustments in my habits to keep this from getting worse.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Amazing Karen! Its great to hear the video had an impact! I hope you find some more helpful tips along the way!

[@kenaida99]

I can't believe it! This actually worked for me! I've had pain in my thumbs for a month and was losing the ability to open jars. Much better now after only one go! Thanks!

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Brilliant Stephen! Glad it had an impact!

[@BlessYourHeartDIYS]

I'm.so.glad I came across this video!!!! My thumb muscles hurt so much and I had no idea it was because of the pain in my neck!! Thank you

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Glad it resonated with you!

[@nahtanish]

Appreciate you putting this information out there. Truly.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hope it genuinely makes a difference mate!

[@lmahoney6221]

You have confirmed my suspicions, I agree 100%. I have bilateral DeQuervain’s so very badly. I also have long-standing neck pain (some cervical disc herniations, spurs, arthritis). I have gone to physical therapy for my neck before and there was this one stretch in particular that helped the DeQuervain’s so much so that it was quite livable. The odd thing is the therapist didn’t seem to see much about it. From then on I knew this was coming from my neck and I have always tended to put my head in that awful position that you show in this video due to nearsightedness. Yes, thank you! I’m a fan!

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Glad this may have been helpful too! Good luck with it!

[@ilseclarkdenbraanker2266]

Dear Grant, I am speechless! Been battling with de Quervain's for about 2 weeks. Saw this video about 2 days ago - couldn't find a ball 🤣..... Today I found and thought let me try....did it and carried on with my day. About 2 hours later took my bandage off to take a swim...and realized there was NO PAIN. Did the test holding my thumb - I could flex without pain. I am so thankful! Don't know, don't understand, but I am over the moon. I thank God for you. ❤️ from South Africa 🇿🇦! Ilse

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Amazing to hear Ilse! Hope you can conquer it sooner rather than later! Glad the video was hopefully helpful 👍

[@karensees4462]

I am a retired nurse - I worked in a procedure area helping MD positioning and manipulating patients abdomens to help facilitate the passage of endoscopic probes. I was young and it wasn’t painful to me at that time- but now as I help to care for my great grans, it is manifesting with weakness and pain. I’ve been trying various maneuvers from KZbin but I believe that the neck connection you describe will be key to relief and at least partial recovery. I will discuss this with my PT provider. Thank you for your clear and thorough video.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Best of luck with it Karen, hope the focus on the neck proves to be the missing piece!

[@TheJoeyG88]

Holy sheet.. my thumb and wrist have been on fire for 4 years, I'm trying the ball on pressure points in my neck and I'm already feeling some relief. I don't wanna speak to soon and say this is the cure but dam it's a good start.. THANK YOU.

[@raquelpacheco5594]

Thank you for this exercise. I'm having Quervin's Tenosynovitis and I noticed that also I have pain in my neck. I feel better after doing the neck exercise.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Glad to hear it helped Raquel! Hope it settles for you soon!

[@mijames5528]

Brilliant advice Thanks so much been waiting for a physio appt for 7 months xx

[@shahniwiki2298]

This is the best thing I’ve watched - thank you!!

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Appreciate it Shahni! Glad to hear it may have been helpful!

[@bowmama8]

😲I-am-🤯. I am currently dealing with DQT right now and attributed it to a weekend of intense yard work. My doc said that is probably what aggravated it but most likely not what caused it initially. I never would have associated it with my neck but it made so much sense after I watched this! I had a car accident several years ago (someone rearended me while I was stopped & he was doing like 45-50mph) and though I had no major issues at the time, things gradually started happening later. I recently told a friend that that I feel like all of my issues lead back to that day but I never would've made this connection. I'm sold and subscribed. Look forward to learning more from you.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Amazing mate! Hopefully it helps you sort that DQT out!

[@jeizschey]

I just recovered from bicep tendonitis 2 months ago and I'm back to doing dragonboat at crossfit. I recently discovered that I have dequervain after 10 years of being in front of computers as full time office work.. right now I could feel heavy tension on my neck for the first time I could feel the heaviness and now it makes sense why I could never do any exercise bending my wrists. Now it makes more sense that it starts from the neck. Thank you ❤

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hope you’re recovering well!

[@silviabuhler3726]

Thank you for your approach - very helpful !

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Great to hear! Hope it really helps things improve for you!

[@deelane9895]

Very interesting. I've also been having pain in my elbow, neck and shoulders. Definately going to try your exercises. Many thanks.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Best of luck with it Dee!

[@shemgray8475]

Extremely helpful!! Thank youuuu😁

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Great Shem!

[@MrsS3lfDestruct]

I have Axial Spondyloarthritis and currently dealing with this this now and have been wearing a splint on and off for weeks. My rheumatologist didn't mention anything about the connection to my spine or my neck, but this really puts the pieces together for me. I didn't think I was going to be buying Lacrosse balls today but here we are. Thanks so much for this valuable insight. I hope it makes a difference for me.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hope it really helps too! The neck is often a more covert component, that requires us to look for it rather than it standing out on its own! Hope you get a bit of use out of those lacrosse balls!

[@stonemdrmdr8315]

The relief was immediately….

[@hesterjacobs8440]

It absolutely makes sense! Thank for sharing this information. I have had several hand rehab physiotherapy but without a splint and my thumb and wrist got worse. I thought it was because I didn’t wear a splint but the neck stiffness was also getting worse and the shoulder is very painful. I think that it’s because of the wrong pillow I’m using as a side sleeper. Once again thank you for your brilliant and practical explanation.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hope it helps Hester!

[@lifeinaustralia6415]

Terrific video. I was trained in remedial massage over 25yrs ago and was trained to know that we had to treat the whole body so this makes perfect sense. My neck constantly gives me haedaches and migraines for many years but only got this thumb issue a year ago. I put it down to hours everday of whipper snipping on our property. I had the splint from a hand therapist but after many visits and a lot of money I let it rest. It got better I thought until I started doing various things around our property and then the thumb started being extremely painful again so off I went to the physio he commented that I had tennis elbow which I didn't even notice until he showed me once again many visits not much improvement went to acupunturist that helped a bit but they also worked on the neck but it still wasn't fixing it that is the reason for stumbling across your video. Thank you so much I am looking forward to giving this ago as it is hard to massage your own neck. It may just fix my neck and my thumb. :)

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hope it helps make a difference for you!

[@lindie58]

Just found you on this diagnosed w DQ doing PT 4 weeks now another therapist said same as you it's coming from my neck. My left side of my neck lower has the knots there for years of working out. I am going to purchase the lacrosse ball the pain is excruciating especially during sleep I wear the brace which helps alot but now using heating pad on my neck and to tell you the truth about 40% better. Thank you so much

[@sting130u]

Makes sense, my neck got all ganked up at the same time i got this wrist thing going on. Stretching it all out feels good.

[@keirey9372]

Great video! I love the holistic approach. I have an appointment later today with a physio for DQT. Curious what he has to say and advise but I'll defintely try out this exercise. If I have success I will let you know. Thanks!

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Good luck with it Kei!

[@diana12701]

Wow! Who knew 😮I thought it was always trying to work on the actual spot that is where my thumb pain is. not the neck ! Thank you so much God bless you. This really helped me so much🙏

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Great to hear Diana! Hope it helps in some small way!

[@larryb131]

Good video, Hard to believe that something so simple can help, but I will try anything at this point.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hope it does help Larry!

[@kimhargis6616]

Thanks so much for this. I have de quervains and could never understand why my neck hurts when my thumb hurts. I’m excited to try your suggestion! I’ve been to a lot of drs, massage therapists, and chiropractors and haven’t gotten relief yet.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Let me know how you go Kim! Hope it helps!!

[@rachelsmename6]

I started PT today for this today. I'm wearing a new splint. Your exercise with the ball sound intriguing. I have a shiatzu stick, so I'm trying it out with that. Wish me luck!

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Good luck Rachel! Hope everything goes well for you!

[@SpiceLifeWithShams]

Now it all makes sense! I had terrible neck pain and once I relived that my swelling and pain on my wrist went down.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Great to hear!

[@gomez210lolife3]

I tried this and it worked, thank you very much.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Great to hear!

[@MariaGarcia-yh1yn]

I don't have the little ball, but I am going to try it. I have been using the thumb spling, which appears to help. Thank you

[@truckmountgirl]

Oh man! This makes so much sense! I have had neck pain for years, progressing to tingling and burning g in the radial nerves bilaterally. Eventually I began to lose strength on my left side, aspecially the arm. I got a foraminotomy and laminotomy on four levels about two years ago. Recovery was more difficult than expected, leVing me with a persistent forward head posture and hyper engaged trap muscles. I now have very limited range of motion in my neck, especially ear to shoulder movements. I have been working on improving the posture, strengthening my lats and rear delts. The past few months I am again having the radial nerve burning and tingling bilaterally and now have DE Quervain's tenosynovitis on the left side. I assumed it was caused by poor form or overuse/overloading at the gym. I avoid movements like push-ups and planks with open hand. I use dumbbells instead, brace my thumb and wrist, do hand/thumb strengthening exercises, and now am waiting to get a steroid injection. As much problem as I have had with my neck and thoracic / rotator cuff pain.....I never once associated the De Quervain's with my neck! Going from this video to Amazon to order a LA Crosse ball and give that a try!! Is there more I can do to mitigate the severe arthritis? I am 60, female, a breast cancer survivor taking arimidex daily. I do take a lot of Omega 3's, glucosamine chondroitin MSM, etc. Was looking at possibly trying peptides like BPC157. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thank you for your content!!!

[@nataliajones2748]

can’t to go and try

[@gingymurphy7607]

I think you are right, l have neck pain, shoulder bursitis, tennis elbow and de querveins and l think they are all connected. I will give the ball a try

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hope it helps Gingy!

[@micksherlock4083]

YES!!!! I've had deQuervains for 5 years with no relief...I've known that the cause is my neck...I have a kyphosis., with a small fat lump developed on one side of the spine...the body's own padding. I deal with a head forward posture a lot. Many SCM headaches later I've started to wear a shoulder brace which has really helped. Even when not wearing the brace it reminds me to keep my head up and shoulders back. I watched the viddy and had a good poke around. Lots of adhesions and triggers. Thank you, I guess I've had this for so long that I was losing my direction trying to deal with it. With therapists, doctors and chiros all missing the point, I felt a bit lost. I was a deep tissue bloke for years before retirement...and I think I had started to distrust my own knowledge. Thank you...thank you thank you

[@aliciacowan8111]

Thank you i will try this on my Trigger thumb and soar thumb

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hope it helps Alicia!

[@Penelope642]

Thank you so much! I was having that recently, and the doctor treated it with a Cortizone shot. She also was saying maybe it’s because of using the motorcycle now. I know a trigger point therapist, and they would press on my scalenes if I had numbness in my arm or anything, and what you said about the brachial nerve, starting at the base of the neck is consistent. I also have some bulging in my C4 -5 from a Work lifting incident. I can’t afford to go to that therapist, but I will try the lacrosse ball technique. Just pressing at it with firm pressure with my hand. I was able to relieve some of my neck and it popped and release pressure in three places and I’ve been able to open my phone with less pain. A friend of mine said she had it when she was nursing her first daughter, and now, when I think about the forward head posture, that mothers have, it makes sense with what you’re saying, with the forward tilt of the head as a contributing factor to DQT.

[@teresavanwagoner2403]

Thank you.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

You're welcome Teresa!

[@scottwilson7095]

Thank you for this information. I play guitar often sitting and looking down. When my wrist pain started it was devastating. I went to the orthopedic doctor and he prescribed prednisone but never made the connection to the neck, didn't offer physical therapy, nothing. Just prescribed the prednisone and fitted me for a wrist brace. While watching your video you brought up the neck as a potential cause and it really resonated with me. I noted that I have neck pain when in certain positions but never made the connection. I've ordered the lacrosse ball and will try the exercises you described. Thank you again. I'll update this post after trying the exercises. I'm excited about getting back to my guitar playing.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Best of luck with it Scott! Hope it hits the nail on the head for you!

[@BurninSven1]

I also play guitar but I am old I`ll be 70 December 2023 and I never experienced any pain what so ever in my thumb before. Now my left thumb is pretty bad and barre chords hurts like hell, I also feel it a little pain my right thumb but not even close to the pain I get in the left thumb. This has been going on for little over 6 months or so so it is really strange and why now after years and years of playing guitar. I am no pro just a hobby player but still I do play pretty ok if I may say so. Round this time it started and it has been downhill from ever since kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpSko3uQr92Nl5o I play electric too and I do fix guitars too, it´s my hobby. Ok so I need to focus on my neck, I´m going to test and see if it helps, thanks for the tips. Take care

[@vasber1012]

Thank you for your video. Does a collapsed muscle in the thumb contribute to this condition? And do you have excercises for that as well?

[@jaymevogl4338]

A lot of people can’t access those muscles in the neck because of kyphosis, so they may have to put a firm cushion under the neck and head so that the ball can provide proper pressure ❤ great video!

[@johnoldie1]

This applies to me. Head doesnt reach the floor. Any success - fellow kyphosis with this exercise? Jack in Japan.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

🤓

[@xezerik62]

the more of your videos i watch, the more i realize a lot of my issues have to do with my neck. and getting chiropractic adjustments never help anything, so maybe proper stretching and exercising and posture is all i need to work on

[@xezerik62]

at the same time i think i could have a carpal bone out of place since my wrist pops everytime i move the hand up or down

[@InjusticeHater]

Wow... Having the issue for like over a month now... Tried Bob and Brad yesterday which was not bad and now this... It actually improved my pain and movability Thank you, it really helped a bit already. Not perfect after one ball session but I will keep going.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Awesome to hear it may have helped! Please feel free to check back in and let me know how it feels after a few tries!

[@irissalazar1940]

Thank you for your advice and exercises. Very relevant and it makes sense. I do believe that my issue with De Quervain’s comes from my neck.

[@irissalazar1940]

To add, I’m also a breast cancer survivor and a neck-pain sufferer.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Glad to hear the video resonated with you Iris! I genuinely hope the tips help make an impact on your symptoms in some way going forward!

[@Marthalingification]

Thank you! I'm a musician and a massage therapist. I irritated my thumb joint while moving, and then after talking it into working on a Chopin etude on piano, it's KILLING me. Mostly when I move it laterally away from my hand, but really hard to use it at all for anything right now. Did feel some relief from the ball to the neck, also moved the ball to my pecs and that helped as well. Hard to be patient with this as i REALLY need my thumb to work! Really appreciate your video. Subscribed!

[@Marthalingification]

Also thank you for not assuming it's from carrying a baby

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Awesome to hear it had an impact mate!

[@turdfurgason8476]

The tee shirt explanation of muscles being connected and related was helpful.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Glad it resonated mate!

[@albertlatscha]

This worked on my wrist !! I used a massage machine and worked my whole neck area and instantly got relief..I had this problem for 6 months

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Great to hear Albert! Glad it helped you out!

[@toveirenbecker2471]

Thank you! 🎼🌷🎶

[@YourWellnessNerd]

You're welcome! Hope it helps!!

[@cherylcarvery]

Unbelievable! I have a sore neck and thumb!!! I was searching the thumb and came across this! Thanks

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Awesome Cheryl! Hope the video helps sort them both out!

[@cherylcarvery]

@@YourWellnessNerd , Most of my neck pain is gone, still some thumb pain. But I am hopeful! Thanks

[@marmol8706]

@@cherylcarvery How is it now?

[@cherylcarvery]

@@marmol8706 funny you should ask. Last night when I saw the response, I realized I had not thought about it in a whole. Now today I felt it a bit. So it is definitely not a constant. I will try sne other exercises and again and see what happens.

[@jbyrne6650]

this is an excellent video! I do have two questions. How frequently should we do this exercise? Is it ok to feel a tingling sensation in the elbows forearm or fingers when doing the exercise?

[@fairouzbaalbaki6788]

I an d’où g thé exercice while your talking. Thx a million

[@altonlg24]

The thumb test revealed something amis. You mention exercises that are well known that helps with it. Would you mind making a video that for those of us that don't know what those exercises are if you haven't already?

[@louisa8741]

Really does make sense as I've had neck problems for years! Had a disc removed 10 years ago between C5 C6. Now had thumb problems for a year, 3 cortisone injections but no physio recommended . Will definitely try this exercise 😁thanks

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hope it really helps Louisa!

[@Geronimotitus]

Thank you for sharing this! I’m going to try it immediately. I’ve been suffering through De Quervains in both hands for the past 3 weeks, and could not understand why the pain was radiating all the way up into my shoulders. The pain is absolutely unbearable at night and even worse upon waking. 2 years ago, I was diagnosed with severe congenital cervical stenosis with myelopathy in my C4-C7. Insurance would only cover replacement of two levels per surgery, so my C4-C5 has yet to be replaced. I’m curious if this has anything to do with the onset of me getting DQT. Definitely makes much more sense now that I know the neck plays a role.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hope it helps Tiffany! If it does it might be worth seeing someone in person to help manage your specific symptoms and underlying neck condition. Good luck!

[@Isaac-wr8et]

I used to get pain when I did the test with the wrist drop, then I had surgery, and now when I do the test I don't pass it... But I still have all the other symptoms and more. So I'm not sure if these exercises are right for me, but I just seem to be stuck

[@TeaDoggo]

Thanks for the great video. I've just ordered a lacrosse ball and will give this a try to see how I get on. Is there any other exercises you would recommend doing along with this one?

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hey Liam! Apart from all the thumb-specific exercises, I ask my patients to do some weighted shrugs and rows to strengthen the muscles around the neck and upper back.

[@TeaDoggo]

@@YourWellnessNerd Many thanks, much appreciated!

[@YourWellnessNerd]

@@TeaDoggo Hope it helps!

[@Bee-rs4dr]

Can I use a spiky ball or should it be flat?

[@sandrinefresne6575]

Hello. I had carpel tunnel syndrome in both my wrists , had surgery on both . But on my left wrist , I was left with a lump/ bump near my thumb and another one near where the cut was … never dealt with it … I use my hands a lot and my left more than the right one … however , I have had pain in my elbow … never thought anything of it … until I saw your video … I want to be referred to the hand specialist who dealt with my surgery , but after watching you , this could just be a neck issue … I can’t do a Thumb’s up anymore which make my kids laugh … if untreated, what could happen ? Thanks for your help.

[@nborg96nb]

I'm hopefully going to start treatment soon once I see my orthopaedic surgeon again, there are a few things wrong with the same hand and opposite side too

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hope the video helps in some way!

[@ronm6585]

Thanks.

[@Krys579]

I got diagnosed with De Quervain's when it was brachial plexus. Can you do a video on brachial plexus injuries and other easily misdiagnosed RSIs?

[@roserosyland3090]

I hope he could share some exercises about brachial plexus, because i suffer from the same problem.Now i experience thumb ,finger and wrist pain. I haven't troubles with the hand palm,but the back of the hand.Could it be De quervain's syndrome ?🤔 Thank you 😊

[@johnoldie1]

many thanks for your video - have suffered DeQuervain`s right wrist for many years. Unfortunately also a neck that needs a cervical pillow when lying flat. Could the ball exercise be used here? Jack.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hi John, unfortunately I can’t give specific advice over the Internet without assessing You first. However, the idea with the ball is that it is a great way to locate and respectfully reduce parts of the spine feel stiff, tight and restricted. if that local restriction is influencing somebody’s hand, wrist, and thumb symptoms, then it’s logical to expect that reducing some of that dysfunction may have a positive impact on those symptoms.

[@sununchinsomboon1086]

🙏👍❤️Thank you it was thank you

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hope it helps!!

[@kevindejong7754]

Thanks so much for this video! My right thumb has been really bothering me and I have good confidence this is de Quervain's tenosynovitis. I have had 'tennis elbow' in the past and an old physiotherapists friend mentioned this whole alignment from neck to thumb. Question...I use two pillows under my head in an attempt to hold my neck in alignment with my back...could this be causing hyperextension/irriation of these neck muscles? My guess is yes. Love to hear back from you,

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hey Kevin! From my experience the bigger issues are things we spend the most time doing during the day - ie. stationary sitting or standing positions etc. Also, I find pillows are best thought of as something that either buffers or exposes how we load our tissue throughout the day. Some can help, some can hinder, but ultimately the blame may rest with the quality of our day to day shapes and positions!

[@cinmac3]

i don't have thumb,or neck perse, but,. my nerves in my chest/neck, ribs to the back of tingling i have never been diagnosed with this ailment,but, you kmow allot of help tips do you have any suggestion ona video that can help me discover what i might be doing wrong with my cause posture to have to battle not to cause all this tension in my body.i am grabbing at straws, inhave been trying lots of things to help, but... thank you Grant, i know it's provablya stupid thing to ask

[@shuktithakur562]

i like this... no one ever told me this last 2 yrs

[@YourWellnessNerd]

To be honest I don’t think it’s as widely known as it obviously should be!

[@gnee7213]

I e been dealing with DQTS for at least 10 years in both thumbs! Tried acupuncture hand massage icing heating epsom salt bath’s occupational therapy with steroid injections - I will definitely be taking your advice and trying the neck massage. It makes total sense but I’ve never added it to other treatments. Thank you 🙏 Wish me luck!

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Absolutely! Best of luck and I hope it has an impact!!

[@roserosyland3090]

Great 😊،please how did you use Epsom salt for De quervain's? I have some packs and i wanna use it after experiencing the exercises given in the video.Thznk you😊😊

[@gnee7213]

@@roserosyland3090 Hi. I did a cup of epsom salts with 2 quarts of warm water and did a soak for about 15-20 minutes. It supposed to bring down swelling and relieve aching. I think full time splits, daily ice water hand baths and anti-inflammatory meds for 4-6 weeks help a great deal That’s what I’m doing now and it seems to help

[@roserosyland3090]

@@gnee7213 Thanks tremendously for your help😊😊

[@demented3037]

Thank you! I stopped doing my physical therapy exercises and started to hunch over daily while I do my school work. This makes so much sense! My physical therapist gave me a lacrosse ball for my exercises, I'm going to find it and use it.

[@Mast.Mast.Qalandar]

Thank you for this technique. I have been looking everywhere to sort this thumb tendon issue for the last 3 months and using the ball has released the pain immediately and I am able to do all the movements that I have learned trying to sort this effortlessly, while before now there was always pain and strain. Thank you 🙏

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Great to hear! Good luck with it!

[@honeytsaa]

I have neck pain that comes and goes for years, and really unfortunatelyyy I got DQT again(this time with my left hand) 😢December 2022. I'm going to try thisss, hope this helps

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hope it helps too HT!

[@helendunn1931]

I have started going to physio for my neck ,and shoulders ,and since my holiday abroad de quervain on right wrist started ,not sure if I can do the ball exercise ,but is there not easier way like neck message, though I will try the ball.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hey Helen! The ball technique is just there to help mimic what a physio can do to mobilize specific neck segments. It's often worth a try if you feel there might be a connection there but ultimately it's something your physio should be able to help you with!

[@InstrumentalArcanum]

Can this be cause from driving? When you say caused from the neck or their both connected. Would you say this is related to driving? I'm a guitar player and want to fix this thumb issue . Thank you for posting it made me look at more in depth

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Clinically, I find the best place to look for clues starts with the shapes someone gets in the most often. If driving is at the top of the list its a great start, so would something like playing guitar, using a computer etc!

[@michaelcollins]

Could you do a video on an unusual RSI that is similar called Wartenbergs syndrome for those of us who suffer from this condition? Thanks.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

More than happy to add it to the list Michael! Out of interest, have you tried some of the tips in this video? And if so, did it have an impact on your symptoms at all?

[@darlenesmith-ash6995]

Does this work for trigger thumb?

[@jennybolt445]

I have cervical spinal stenosis in my neck could that have affected what I think I have in my left hand wrist and it is responding to the de quervaines tenosynovitis. I see my hand specialist next Monday

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hope you can find a solution Jenny!

[@russellesimonetta9071]

Uhh I,m an oldlfart but a busy jazz drummer and I think I,m suffering with this!! Up until now I,ve ignored it. I hope this excercise helps!

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hope it helped too Russell! Let me know how it went!

[@neviladergjini1]

I’m a violinist and have De Quervain in my left thumb. How long would it take to fully recover with this exercise and rest? I also have bursitis in the left shoulder.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

It really depends on the person, how long theyve had it for and how sinister it might be. At the very least there should be signs of constant progress over time!

[@jimbob1516]

Thanks for the neck info. I have a problem with my right wrist - and the left side of my neck gets stiff. Is that normal ?

[@YourWellnessNerd]

It’s not abnormal at all. When it comes to the spine, sometimes the side you need to treat is the opposite side to a persons symptoms!

[@jimbob1516]

@@YourWellnessNerd Thank you for that quick answer 😊. I notice when I warm up my neck - with a scarf or a fleece, the pain goes away. I'll try the ball trick. I once had a pain in my Rhomboid in my back due to constantly looking at a phone or iPad - lying on a ball REALLY helped, and I was able to get rid of the pain - with certain stretches. Thank you.

[@kylemusser6539]

I think it’s both. The body is meant to be used but it does require recovery and doing too much will make things irritated. Then we try and keep going and work around it which then gives us bad form and neck issues which worsen it

[@YourWellnessNerd]

I hear you, Kyle. Clinically for me, the majority of people who come in with an RSI don’t necessarily do anything hyper monotonous. I’ve just found over the years that we might be setting our standards too low in terms of how much of something is “ too much”.

[@muntahar7461]

how many times a day should we do this and for how long? I recently got diagnosed with de quervain and i do feel tension and stiffness in my muscles around my neck and shoulders sometimes when i wake up. and it stays like this all day sometimes

[@YourWellnessNerd]

As always it depends on the person. Freeing up the neck once a day is a good starting point for most!

[@lizescoto8037]

I fell now i have Dr said I deIeloped De Quervains Tenosynovittis, Im going to try this video excersise. really hope it works for me.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hope it helps as well Liz!

[@marmol8706]

Did it help?

[@jeffp2001]

My neck stiffness is in opposition side of thumb pain your saying that could also have effects even though it’s opposite side? Thx

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Generally, it's important to look at the neck as a whole rather than just a left or right side. If the joints on one side feels stiffer than the other then it's important to try and free that stiffness up to improve how the neck functions. If the thumb dysfunction is linked to that stiffness there should be an observable change in those symptoms!

[@lisafata9081]

when i did the tennis ball in neck i felt what felt like a nerve not shoot but for lack of better word shoot up through my head to my temple. then the other side did same but i heard something that felt and sounded like liquid. i also have very tight fingers on both hands no pain on left but I'm always stretching the fingers cause they feel so tight and swollen (but don't look it) the right thumb in the fatty palm and the other side hurt like hell. but when i press on the forearm i don't have the pain i feel when i move my thumb. after researching my symptoms i have come up with DQ "mothers thumb" i think its sometimes called. whatever it is it really blows., I'm so tired of the pain when i move my thumb. when i try to pick up a gallon of milk OMG however i can type but scrolling bothers me and since my phone is large 13 pro max when i try dialing w/one hand it hurts. at first it was a nagging ache, now its always there. do you think a splint would help? is it possible to fix this w/out surgery or am i stuck w/this for life? thanks for the tips. lisa

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hey Lisa! Hope things are heading in the right direction for you! Its always best to have someone assess you specifically so that you can understand exactly what you're dealing with and what you specifically might need to do to improve how you feel!

[@bekah3054]

The Dr that I saw only did an xray and didn't do the finkelstein test and when I asked if it could be that, she's like nope, just saw inflammation. Just thought she would, to see how much I was in.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hope you’ve since found some help Bekah!

[@jayhogg4314]

Crazy! Just crazy. My neck has been screwed up for about 2 years now. Been having tennis elbow, recurring, on my left arm, and this in my right hand. My neck causes migraines, and hurts almost all the time. Both hands are always weak, because they are always stiff and tight. Had injections on my rt hand 3 or 4 times over last 2 years, injections in my neck, and they help, but only part of the problems. Am most DEFINETELY going to be getting some kind of a ball, today, and doing this. Life has been agony with this neck problem. Work, driving, anything/everything. 3-4 headache days a week. No one has told me this could be caused by the neck. But my next step, I was told told just yesterday, is surgery. I'll see if this puts that off!

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Really hope it helps mate! Let me know how you go!

[@jayhogg4314]

@@YourWellnessNerd Absolutely!

[@Annekromhout]

Just as a minor comment: Finkelstein test is a common misnomer; this is the Eichhoff test. The Finkelstein test is actually purely ulnar deviation from the wrist passively performed by the therapist/ doctor. Enclosing the thumb makes it a modified Eichhoff test. You can check the "finkelstein's test" wikipedia page for reference.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

🤓

[@ucarter9591]

Just had surgery on 10/1/21 from De Quervain's Tenosynovitis.

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Best of luck with your recovery!

[@deividass3284]

How long did it take you to get back to your normal day to day activities pain free. Has it fully healed!

[@Kurauone__]

Would a deep tissue massage focusing on the neck help?

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Most massage is beneficial for down regulating a heightened nervous system and potentially releasing tight muscles. It's rarely a cure though as muscle tightness is often a consequence of something else - whether it be deeper joint stiffness, weakness or poor postures/positioning.

[@SlapNSniff]

I am in agony. Intense pain from my thumb to my wrist. I want to play my guitar again!!! I am definitely trying these exercises. Thank you so much!!

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hope it helps mate! Let me know how you go!

[@SlapNSniff]

@@YourWellnessNerd Question for you please. Aside from the pain I feel when I move my thumb or wrist in certain ways, when I stretch my thumb out, I feel something popping near the base. Also when I twist my wrist, I feel something popping on the top side of my wrist. Is this common with this condition? I have had x-rays done and they are negative for any fractures or breaks. Thanks

[@tanquard]

Im assuming this is not for someone who got this from an injury. I injured these tendons so probably not my neck?

[@YourWellnessNerd]

It's worth checking out just in case it's having a covert influence on the function on the thumb either way!

[@mariahrulz9747]

I got the exact thing no one used to understand

[@YourWellnessNerd]

🤓

[@boyjuice3414]

Does this really works

[@YourWellnessNerd]

I often find a strong connection between this issue and the levels of the neck where the nerves come from that supply this area. The ball is a great way to encourage those spinal levels to mobilise and hopefully see some symptomatic changes in the thumb.

[@boyjuice3414]

@@YourWellnessNerd I can give it a try. Have been to chiropractor and physio they say there is ntg with my neck.

[@bt60613]

Couldn’t one get the same effect with a roller?

[@YourWellnessNerd]

You can use whatever object you feel is the most comfortable and appropriate. I find a ball allows people to be that little bit more specific than a bigger object like a roller.

[@khosroradsadeghinia1861]

❤

[@YourWellnessNerd]

Hope it helps mate!