Numbness in the hands after exercising can be caused by many different things. Circulation problems or a decrease in nerve conduction are the usual causes of sensation changes in the fingers. Some of these problems can be easily solved by finding the reason for decreased circulation or conduction and removing it. Other causes are more difficult to determine and may require working with a group of physicians.
Numbness
The true definition of numbness in the fingers is a complete loss of sensation or feeling in the fingers. For many, this is caused by irritation or compression of the nerves, veins, or arteries that supply the hands. Tingling, burning, weakness and pain are common companions of numbness. Thoracic outlet syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, and subluxations are a few of the most common causes of numbness.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Thoracic outlet syndrome is an irritation of the nerves and vessels between the collarbone and the first rib. Causes of this syndrome are cervical ribs, poor posture, anterior head carriage, shoulder drooping, repetitive activity and trauma. Exercise can aggravate this structure by tightening the muscles and constricting the vessels. Aching in the arm or hand, decreased griping ability, decrease in fine motor activity, bluish coloring, feeling cold to the touch and swelling are common signs of this syndrome. The treatment to relieve this syndrome can include chiropractic adjustments to relieve the pressure on the nerves exiting the cervical spine, physiotherapies to relax the muscles, stretching and soft tissue therapies to allow the muscles to work correctly without constricting the anatomy of the thoracic outlet.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a compression of the median nerve. Pain and weakness radiating into the forearm are signs of this syndrome, along with numbness in the fingers. Rest, ice, and immobilization are common treatments for this problem. Many times vitamin B-6 and anti-inflammatories may also help with decreasing numbness. Cold laser, ultrasound and rehabilitative exercises may help as well.
Subluxation
A subluxation is dysfunction of a movable segment or a vertebrae out of place. This can cause a complex interaction of pathological changes in the muscles, nerves, ligaments, vessels, and connective tissues. A subluxation can cause numbness in the fingers after working out because nerves and muscles are irritated by the vertebrae not being in the correct anatomical position. This irritation can be expressed as numbness. The best treatment for a subluxation is a chiropractic adjustment and physiotherapies to relax and retrain the muscles.
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