Ever get sore thumbs or a fatigued wrist after that email you typed on your hand-held PDA? The so-called Blackberry Thumb syndrome? Well you might just need a “BlackBerry Balm” massage:
The Hyatt hotel chain found so many of their business travelers were complaining of hand and arm discomfort that they have introduced a special “BlackBerry Balm” hand massage at most of their North American spas.
Corporate spa director Kyra Johnson said guests began asking masseurs to spend more time on their hands and arms because of the growing popularity of PDA (personal digital assistant) devices like BlackBerrys and Treos.
The 30-minute massage, that costs about $30, begins with heat treatment and uses a “BlackBerry Balm.” It “focuses on counteracting tension on various hand and arm muscles, specifically in the thumbs and overworked wrists,” according to a Hyatt statement.
The American Physical Therapy Association recently recognized BlackBerry Thumb as an official work place malady — a stress-related injury due to over-use of any PDA or smartphone.
More from Reuters…