Do little hand exercises and stretches before playing. If your thumb starts getting stiff, stop playing and stop using it for at least 24 hours. Your thumb can also move left to right staying within the plane of your hand. Finger-Thumb Circle Stretch The next exercise involves placing your injured finger to your thumb, essentially creating a circle shape (like the "OK" emoji). Do Hand Exercises. If you flatten your hand out with the back of your hand downward then your thumb can move in two ways. This moves your thumb out of the plane of your hand and is called palmar abduction. Hold this for about five seconds then repeat 10 times. Thumb pain, whether it’s right thumb pain or left thumb pain, is a common symptom of thumb osteoarthritis, also known as basal joint arthritis or CMC arthritis.. So, here is a list of how to prevent gamer’s thumb. Doing proper exercises can reduce pain and fatigue from gaming for prolonged periods of time. Including education on performing daily tasks, as well as stretching, strengthening and stabilization exercises to improve function of the affected hand and thumb. Take breaks often and do those same exercises. Exercises to Reduce Gamer's Thumb . It’s recommended for everyone to take at least a 10-minute break from gaming every hour. Yep, I … It can move up and back down. Tennis Ball Exercise: This exercise incorporates grabbing a tennis ball or a stress ball. Easy, At-Home Stretches for Thumb Pain Relief.