I've noticed that the meaty area of the thumb (a little toward the palm moving down toward the wrist) gets sore sometimes - often for a week. then goes away. but it's painful. like i can't do yoga or anything. i do use my phone a lot. what is this?

At 34 years old it is unlikely arthritis, but instead overuse of the joint at the base of the thumb. With our increase in mobile devices and messaging, our thumbs are increase our daily stress on these joints. It results in the joint becoming inflamed (synovitis). Rest, Motrin, and activity modification is the first step before seeing a hand surgeon.

This a common symptom of overuse of the muscles at the base of the thumb from mobile devices. If rest and anti-inflammatories do not work, see your primary doctor or a hand surgeon to get evaluated.