How to Properly Stretch Your Thumbs

The thumb is one of the most important areas, and most commonly injured areas, in musicians.

These muscles are often over-used and strained, so making sure you help these muscles recover is essential.

However, most musicians either don’t stretch this area, or do it incorrectly. Here’s the best way I’ve found.

The Purpose of the Exercise

This is a recovery exercise. It’s meant to help overworked thumb muscles recover after a long day of playing.

I think it’s best to do in the mornings or after a long day of playing.

Definitely don’t do this before playing (here’s why).

How Many, How Long

Overly aggressive stretching to this area can cause more problems than it solves, so make sure you keep this stretch very gentle.

It’s a sensitive, important area, so less force will actually give you more benefit.

Hold the stretch for about 30 seconds. Repeat 1-3 times.

Whenever you're ready, there are 4 ways I can help you:

1. 5 Minute Morning Mobility: A 5 minute mobility flow to release the tension in muscles that matter so you're body is ready for all the playing you'll do that day.

2. 10 Minute Evening Recovery: 10 minutes of gentle stretching the most important areas for musicians. Includes nerve glides and proper finger tendon stretches. It's the best thing you can do for your body.

3. The Musician Specific Strength Program: The best thing you can you can do to prevent injury is get stronger in the muscles that matter. This program will transform your body so it never limits your music. It's comprehensive and provides maximum benefit for the minimum time possible.

4. Personalized Coaching: If you need the peace of mind of a personalized program built by a musician's health expert, I offer 1-on-1 coaching to a very limited number of clients. Start your transformation here.

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