NatNews

According to recent research findings, on average, an individual spends approximately 4.5 hours on his or her phone each day—and that is not including time spent talking on the phone. As a result, many people have developed what is known as “phone hand” (also called “text claw” or “texting thumb”), which is a pain in the hand or thumb associated with holding a smartphone for an extended amount of time.

Dallas resident and physical therapist Elise Waller said this particular issue phone users are experiencing results from inflammation of the tendons in the thumb or in the hand from being in extended postures or moving through patterns continuously throughout the day and not taking breaks from those patterns or postures.

“It’s texting over and over and over again throughout the day; it’s holding your phone with one hand,” she said. “It’s similar to how you get tendonitis from golfing or playing tennis. It’s these repetitive motions that we do day in and day out, and we don’t necessarily take breaks from them, particularly when it’s due to phone use with the thumb and the wrist and the hand.”

Waller said the pain could also be a result of not having adequate strength in the hand and thumb, though she does not believe that’s the main culprit of phone hand/texting thumb.

“Really, the root cause is that we are sitting on our phones for too long in the same posture with our pinkies underneath the charger port or with one thumb moving from the A button to the P button on the keyboard,” she said, “and we have to reach and kind of move quickly, and we’re doing it over and over and over again without switching hands, without using both hands, and without taking breaks.”

According to a recent study conducted by NatNews, of the individuals who participated, 62 percent have experienced phone hand, 16 percent have remained pain-free, and 22 percent indicated that they had no idea what this condition is. Dallas resident Damon Yousefy said he has experienced pain in his hand from using his phone with only one hand, and he added that it doesn’t help that there is a little added challenge to his device.

“I use a battery case on my phone to extend battery life, but this adds weight and results in my fingers and thumb getting sore when I’m trying to read documents on my phone,” he said.

Some people, like Yousefy, have found ways to try to combat the issue when it arises

“I will alternate which hand is holding the phone or use both hands,” he said. “My case does not have a kickstand, but I need the added battery life due to significant work travel, and I don’t want to take off the case in other situations because it does a great job of protecting my phone.”

For those who do suffer from pain or soreness, Waller said it’s important to figure out what the aggravating factors are to determine how to treat phone hand/texting thumb. She said much of the time, she works with her patients to start loading and strengthening the tendons and the muscles attached to those tendons.

“The biggest thing is activity modification and talking about how long you are using your phone and if you are using it with just one hand,” she said. “If so, can you use both hands? Can you try to use different fingers to type instead of using your thumb to type? Can you get to a tablet or a computer? I know that’s not the answer people want to hear, but if you have texting thumb or phone hand, our answer is going to be stop using your phone so much, use a computer if you have to, and take more breaks from these postures where you’re statically holding your thumb or pinky or wrist in one position over and over again.”

Waller also said that prevention methods are similar to treatment methods—it’s helpful for individuals to use computers and tablets when they can, alternate which hand they use, use both hands when texting and holding their phones, and try to limit the amount of time they spend on their phones. Yousefy said he has been making concerted efforts to ensure that hand pain from phone use does not become a long-term concern.

“I do some hand exercises at the gym, which have helped,” he said. “I have also tried reducing my screen time by using things like voice-to-text with my AirPods in. Whether it’s reading work emails or reading the news on my phone, I have to be more mindful of hand pain these days as I get older.”

Just like it’s important to take short breaks at least every 30 minutes or so when working at a desk or in front of a computer, Waller said it’s essential for phone users to set their phones down in order to avoid additional body breakdown.

“I want to make it super clear that no one posture is inherently bad for the hand, the hips, the back, or anything like that, but it’s these postures that we hold for not just 5 minutes but for 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes throughout the day,” she said. “That is what’s causing this repetitive what you might call microtrauma or inflammation to the area of the thumb or the wrist that is creating pain for us. When we stay in one posture without taking breaks, we start to get tendon wear and muscular wear, similar to what we’re seeing with texting thumb and phone hand.”

Each year, Americans spend more than $550 million on Oreos—they were the best-selling cookies of the 20th century.

Some people choose to go big on holidays, especially when it comes to decorations. Americans spend approximately $3.9 billion on Halloween decorations and roughly $7.8 billion on Christmas lights and decor each year. And let’s not forget holidays such as Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, the Fourth of July, and Thanksgiving, which can all also be prime opportunities for decoration enthusiasts.

For many individuals, including Dallas-area resident Robyn Allen, putting the holidays on display is about more than merely offering appealing aesthetics.

“I love to decorate because it’s a way for me to connect to holiday memories from years past,” she said. “My mother also imprinted the idea of decorating on me from a young age. It was a time to change up the monotony of the house interior and exterior and to continue annual traditions.”

Allen has been known to create festive fall spooktacular scenery for her home, but she said she equally enjoys decorating for Halloween and Christmas—and she certainly appreciates the ability to embrace superfluity.

“I am not a minimalist naturally, and it’s a struggle to control my love for excess,” she said. “But Halloween and Christmas allow me to freely decorate with no limitation. Being exorbitant in the decor for these holidays is socially acceptable and brings joy to others immersed in the creativity. It’s my time to shine.”

Not everyone holds Allen’s same level of enthusiasm for decking all of the halls. Dallas-area resident Valerie Vela said there were many years when she didn’t care to decorate for the holidays because doing so seemed like a great deal of work that wasn’t necessary. That changed a little more than four years ago, though.

“When the pandemic hit in 2020, I realized how much I was looking forward to seeing decorations,” she said. “It was a way to bring joy to myself and others. Now I decorate for fall, Christmas, and sometimes Valentine’s Day because it’s fun. It makes me smile, and I hope it does the same for others.”

According to several psychologists, Christmas decorations can increase levels of dopamine, the feel-good hormone. The colors and lights act as a form of color therapy, sparking happiness and energy. Vela helps contribute to creating that joy for others.

“I love decorating for fall/October with pumpkins and a door wreath, but I think my favorite holiday is probably Christmas,” she said. “I don’t go overboard, but I love the lights and shiny, glittery decor.”

The sparkles and glistening garland aren’t for everyone, though. Eric Napple, former Dallas resident who recently moved to the Midwest, isn’t too keen on the idea of holidays being front and center everywhere you turn.

“My decorations are limited to only Christmas and are typically just outside lights on the house,” he said. “I’m not much for interior decorations, as it is just me in the house, and I typically spend most of the Christmas holidays at my parents’ house. They fully decorate!”

And while Napple isn’t completely anti-decorations, he doesn’t appreciate when people don’t respect the timelines of when certain holiday extravagances should be on display.

“My biggest beef with holiday decorations is that people do them way too early, and then for some reason, they keep Christmas decorations up for months,” he said. “I think they are seasonal holidays for a reason and should have term limits to them. If you go for a walk, you’ll see random Christmas lights still up into the first few months of the year. The only full-year holiday I support is the Fourth of July, sporting the American flag 24/7, 365.”

It’s not uncommon to see homes with Christmas lights synced to holiday music, and some homes even have Halloween lights synced to songs, as well. There are life-sized (or taller) yard characters and items, inflatables, re-creations of well-known settings, and a variety of other eye-catching displays. Though Vela appreciates holiday decorations, she said she does believe that they can become excessive at times.

“I know someone who has a storage unit just for her Christmas decorations,” she said. “That’s a bit much, in my opinion, since I’m all about simplicity. I decorate just enough to bring in the magic of the season and then take it all down when the season is over.”

It has not been confirmed as to whether or not Allen also has a holiday decorations storage unit, but if she doesn’t, it’s quite possibly an aspiration for her to achieve one day.

“I will never be a believer that there is too much decor,” she said. “I love the stimulation from it.”

WEEKLY PHOTO OP

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Monday, October 14: Acro in the Air at Harwood Park
Tuesday, October 15: Free Rooftop Movie — Beetlejuice at Sundown at Granada; Stars vs. Sharks at the American Airlines Center
Wednesday, October 16: Dallasites101 October Speed Dating & Singles Mixer at Over Under Sports Bar
Thursday, October 17: 29th Annual Family Compass Golf Classic at Cowboys Golf Club; Taste of the Trolley at the Fashion Industry Gallery; Trick or Treatment at The Spa at The Crescent; P!nk Tribute — Just Like P!nk at Legacy Hall
Friday, October 18: Adult Night — Zombie Invasion at LEGOLAND Discovery Center; Movies on the Lawn — Haunted Mansion at AT&T Discovery District
Saturday, October 19: WRRC Saturday run from Taco Joint; DFW Fall Fest at Frisco Fresh Market; Fall Fest at The Star; Halloween Costume Goat Yoga at Addison Circle; FC Dallas vs. Sporting Kansas City at Toyota Stadium
Sunday, October 20: Meet Me at the Museum Brunch at the Dallas Museum of Art; Pizza Making at Poco Fiasco; Battle of the Boybands Brunch at Legacy Hall