Treat Your Own Hand and Thumb Osteoarthritis Paperback – October 4, 2012

I love how simple and straightforward this book is. I love that the author explains the anatomy of the hand and gives simple easy exercises to do. I also love that it’s all based on scientific studies and proven ways to improve mobility.

I'm a black and white person--either I love it or I don't. I don't know if that's a good thing or not. But this book is fabulous. I bought it for my husband who has carpal tunnel in both wrists, and the simplicity in the routines and accompanying pictures is great! The exercises are quite easy to follow, and the information aides in explaining why this daily routine of ten exercises is so necessary for optimum flexibility and a way to alleviate pain. I highly recommend this for anyone with RA like my husband (yes, he has it all) as it also adds pliability to his normally stiff fingers. Though the book isn't big by any means, the information is accurate, specific, and covers every facet necessary to keep your hands and fingers moving and maintain strength in the process. There is an additional section on various household methods and accessories to alleviate hand pain and make your life a little easier in the long run. Great book that is well written by a well informed author!

I looked at the price, blanched and thought--yea, but how much more would I pay to see a PT for the same advice. And bought the book. And have loaned it out to friends...who found it helpful.I keep it on hand (no pun) but my new regime includes a supplement that seems to be helping based on Turmeric. That of course, I also bought from Amazon.

The fleshy part of my right thumb was so swollen that it was out to almost the entire length of the life line of my hand. I had a difficult time pinching – I couldn't pull a hair out of my eyebrow. Also, some of the bones where my hand meets the wrist were always sore and I was constantly massaging them.I bought this book, a thumb brace, and a set of Chinese balls. I started using them based on the instructions in the book about 5 weeks ago. One thing I did differently from the book was that I iced the thumb area for about 10 minutes after I had exercised the thumb.As of today, the swelling has gone down by about a third and I have no difficulty pinching. The sore bones are no longer sore.I saw a hand specialist today and he told me that I have carpal metacarpal arthritis of the thumb. He was glad to see that I had been treating myself and told me to continue. He said that there was a thumb brace that I might find more comfortable than the one that I bought. He recommended a MetaGrip® CMC Thumb Brace.Without the information provided in this book, I probably would have had to go to a physical therapist which I'm sure would have been more expensive than the cost of the book.

I was a bit skeptical, but needed to do something to relieve the pain in my thumbs and hands. I have worked on computers for 34 years as a secretary/bookkeeper and am an avid cross stitcher and crocheter. Unfortunately my hands have not appreciated the over use. I have also broken a couple of fingers, my wrist and dislocated a thumb through the years. The first few days of following the outlined exercises were a little hard and I kept forgetting to do them throughout the day. But after a week I started noticing I was able to move without as much stiffness and I wasn't noticing the achiness in my thumbs during the evenings. So I started doing the exercises more and now, about three weeks later, I notice a huge difference in much lower pain levels and easier movement. I have more flexibility and can actually grasp a piece of paper between my thumb and finger without dropping it. I can't say enough good about this book. Yes, there is still a little pain - but it nothing compared to what I was living with before. I have even restarted cross stitching since I can hold the needle again!

Remember learning about opposable thumbs and that is what makes us human? Not to be able to use it is a disaster. My thumb was so bad that I could not cook, garden, or sew. I researched the problem extensively, concluding it was either arthritis or tendonitis. I went to the hand doctor, who gave me a splint and recommended cortisone. I read all sorts of things on the internet. This simple book is the best. I love the large type. I love the way the author has simplified, yet included, all the facts that were in the other researches I had done. This is a book that really gives you hope that you will be able to use your hands again. I am better.

The exercises with accompanying photos are excellent, and I have begun following his plan myself, but it pains me to read Johnson's horrible writing. I appreciate the fact that all of the information he presents is backed by "scientific evidence" and years of experience. But when Johnson uses his own words, he sounds far from professional and often just plain silly. While I feel the book is expensive for what you get, it IS cheaper than a visit to your physical therapist.

This is a large book in dimensions (not thickness), and the paper is heavy and of high quality. There are also lots of pictures, including x-rays and instructions about the exercises. Those are the reasons it's so expensive. This is definitely not a pamphlet that you pick up for free at the doctor's office.The information and instructions are very basic, and whether they would be helpful to you depends on what your level of knowledge is to begin with. Also, it's quite likely that whether you have inflammatory arthritis, e.g., rheumatoid, or osteoarthritis, your tendency to develop it is inherited, and you cannot really change that. These exercises are aimed at strengthening the muscles of your hand to provide as much support to the joints as possible. There is also commonsense advice, like don't use your hands to do heavy work, especially work that involves lots of twisting motions and repetitive small movements. These will definitely increase the work load on your joints and contribute to their deterioration.Recommended for those who would like to strengthen their hands and don't already have a fair amount of understanding.

I found this book very helpful especially the exercises which have nice clear pictures along with simple instructions showing one what to do. The book is written in terms that are easy to understand even if you do not have a medical background. I would highly recommend this book to persons who want to learn what exercises to do for their hands.

Excellent for those who are just diagnosed and for those who need some reminding on exercises for their hands.

Good book it helped a lot.

Quick delivery, interesting read, hopefully will help

A good outline of what and why. Entire book can be read in 20 minutes. Exercises helpful.