OK!! SO ..... I've got my thumb back to 'almost' bending normally - just not quite! To be honest, I am not sure which exercise/regime has 'triggered' that response, but am glad it has happened.
Maybe it is just a combination of everything - the oil, the massage, the forcing of the bending ...... it is interesting to see that it WILL bend forcibly by using your other hand to do it - whilst trying to do it 'au natural' just doesn't 'do it'!
It is 'clicking' just a little bit but no real pain at all - tho it is still not strong at all.
Woohoo!!