Numbness in hands

Since I've been training hard and put on mass I've noticed I get numbness/ pins and needles in my hands if I'm in certain positions. Even lying on my back with my hands on my chest for a while I'll get numbness normally in little finger which I need to shake off. Also been sunbathing recently (im in oz) and if im lying on my front and put my arms infont of my head my arms will go numb. Didn't know If this was all due to a bit of compression on nerves or blood vessels from muscles and need to stretch more or if I have some sort of circulatory prob. Anyone else get this?

gary1985


Since I've been training hard and put on mass I've noticed I get numbness/ pins and needles in my hands if I'm in certain positions. Even lying on my back with my hands on my chest for a while I'll get numbness normally in little finger which I need to shake off. Also been sunbathing recently (im in oz) and if im lying on my front and put my arms infont of my head my arms will go numb. Didn't know If this was all due to a bit of compression on nerves or blood vessels from muscles and need to stretch more or if I have some sort of circulatory prob. Anyone else get this?

Yeah I get it when laid on my back with arms on my chest, no idea what's going on but it only happens after a training day. Decided not too worry about it as it goes away when I move my arms.

It sounds like a neural issue but please understand I cannot be accurate online and without properly assessing you.
but there are 3 main nerves in the arm:
 
Median nerve - runs front of shoulder, down forearm into thumb and first 2 fingers
Radial nerve - runs down to mid forearm
Ulna nerve - runs down to last 2 fingers
 
The nerves come from a brachial plaxus in the neck/shoulder area where they branch off. However they have a very close relationship with the shoulder muscles as you can imagine.
So if you have done a training session involving these muscles there could well be some neural tethering resulting in some of the sensations you describe here.
 
Now the tricky bit is that nerves dont like to be stretched and they dont like velocity so you need to mobilise them rather than actually stretch them. What this means is finding the point of tension, tingling or tightness and then releasing it immediately and repeat this 10-15 times. If you are lucky it may release immediately otherwise it may need to be done once or twice daily for a few weeks. 
 
This is a median nerve release technique as an example:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmE8Rb6ao6Q
 
Please be aware this is only one concept of what could be occuring and there maybe other issues to consider so I always advise you see a qualified professional for specificity and bespoke accuracy to the advice you need.

It could also be rotator cuff issues.  If you don't already start performing RC strengthening exercises I would heavily recommend you start doing so.  RC issues are well known for causing pins and needles and dead arms..

Also check tight pectoral minors,  I had similar symptoms and for ages was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel. It took ages for me to discover that it was tight pec minors (after a visit to a sports physio). After some stretching each day, I no longer had the problem, but had suffered for a long time with numbness, pins and needles and bad grip am. It was more prevalent when my arms were raised which is typical of this type, the bunch of nerves get pressed due to the tight muscles.
 
It might not be your problem, but worth looking at. 

Speculating - thoracic outlet.

try roo's test if you're worried about thoracic outlet!
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUPw0SPGLyY
 
rach covered it mostly, but remember nerve mobs might need to be started off doing just 2 or 3 movements rather than 10-15 if they're bad though/irritable symptoms.
 
I got told that nerves are like women, if you do something to piss them off they'll nag you all day

I tried this, I got lactic acid at the end of the first minute of just the hands in the air! I always get lactic acid very quickly when my hands are up in the air. Does this mean anything?!!!

nevonline


I tried this, I got lactic acid at the end of the first minute of just the hands in the air! I always get lactic acid very quickly when my hands are up in the air. Does this mean anything?!!!

where exactly are you getting the lactic acid mate?

Hi Rach, in the shoulders, my shoulders get lactic acid very quickly when doing stuff overhead, like painting or whatever..

mmmm interesting, it does 'sound' like a nerve thing but..why is what I am asking myself?
the nerves in the neck/shoulder area could be tethered by muscle spasm and they can evoke all sorts of sensations almost anywhere when they are not happy.
I am guessing somehow you need to release the muscles and mobilise the nerves Nev 
 

Rachfit


mmmm interesting, it does 'sound' like a nerve thing but..why is what I am asking myself?
the nerves in the neck/shoulder area could be tethered by muscle spasm and they can evoke all sorts of sensations almost anywhere when they are not happy.
I am guessing somehow you need to release the muscles and mobilise the nerves Nev 

Thanks Rach, so a multitude of nerve gliding exercises and then some muscle release, don't know how to do the last bit..

it could also be vascular if you get any kind of cramping sensations which ease upon ceasing the activity/resting, same principle with tethering/restrictions

nevonline

Rachfit


mmmm interesting, it does 'sound' like a nerve thing but..why is what I am asking myself?
the nerves in the neck/shoulder area could be tethered by muscle spasm and they can evoke all sorts of sensations almost anywhere when they are not happy.
I am guessing somehow you need to release the muscles and mobilise the nerves Nev 

Thanks Rach, so a multitude of nerve gliding exercises and then some muscle release, don't know how to do the last bit..

Ok well try the median nerve test here and if you listen to the teaching points of the 4 sign this is a muscle release technique. It is called the 20/20 and requires an isometric muscle contraction of only 20% held for 20 seconds and repeated 4 times.
A guy called Jiri Dorvak did a load of research to demonstrate this phenomenon and its technical term is 'post contractory sensory discharge' . What you would need to work out of how to engage the rotator cuff muscles one at a time and use this technique. So subscapularis for example you would abduct the arm to 90 degrees, flex the elbow to 90 degree, then stand in a doorway and press the palm against the wall/doorway with 20% of you maximal effort, hold liek that for 20 seconds etc as per above
 
None of this replaces the quality and accuracy of seeing a professional BUT there are really no contraindications in performing such a low level contraction
Hope this helps mate
http://www.youtube.com/user/biomechcoach

Thanks Rach, it all sounds very technical! I'm moving house soon and once this is out the way I'm going to get checked over by a biomechanics coach. There are many things I need to check out and determine whether they are wear and tear or biomechanical issues. If they are the former then weights may have to go, trouble is, lifting heavier and heavier is so addictive!

nevonline


Thanks Rach, it all sounds very technical! I'm moving house soon and once this is out the way I'm going to get checked over by a biomechanics coach. There are many things I need to check out and determine whether they are wear and tear or biomechanical issues. If they are the former then weights may have to go, trouble is, lifting heavier and heavier is so addictive!

not necessarily my friend and dysfunctional biomechanics is usually what results in wear and tear. So depending on your adherence and how long you have had the issues will depend upon the results you can achieve mate.
 
Good luck with the move!!!!

Carpal Tunnel had this last year. lasted 6 month.numb  little finger and down 1 side of the finger next to little 1 lol.
before i train now i always stretch. and do some wrist exercises. 
 
clenching a fist then opening wide helps