One of the possible adverse consequences of improper yoga practice, or even proper yoga practice in someone who has pre-existing limitations, is numbness in the fingers. This can occur during or after your practice. With diagnostic help from a doctor and assistance from a qualified yoga instructor, you can overcome this hurdle in your practice.
Numbness During Yoga
Numbness in the fingers can result from nerve injury, pressure on the nerves or even from staying in one position for too long. These conditions can occur in the neck during compressive positions like headstands and other inversions. They can occur in the shoulder during positions like side plank or shoulder stands, and in the hands during postures like downward facing dog.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is defined as a condition in which excessive pressure is placed on the median nerve, which supplies sensation and movement to parts of the hand. This can be caused by different things including thyroid disease and pregnancy, but is most commonly due to repetitive stress to the nerve. Yoga can exacerbate pre-existing carpal tunnel syndrome or even cause new onset of the condition.
Ulnar Nerve
Ulnar nerve compression and injury can cause numbness and tingling of the little finger and the medial border of the arm. This is the same nerve that causes tingling when you hit your "funny bone" in the elbow, where the nerve is most superficial and lies in close proximity to the bone. Hyperextension in arm-stretching poses or postures that require you to bear weight on the elbows can cause this type of injury.
Preventing Numb Hands During Yoga
The most important way to prevent numb fingers during your yoga practice is to be aware of your positions and of proper technique. Learn the postures from a qualified instructor and practice them while being conscious of proper alignment. Make adjustments where necessary. You can shift your downward facing dog onto your forearms, or place a towel under your hands so that your wrists are not at such an acute angle. Your instructor can further assist you in making the appropriate adjustments. Numbness and tingling can occasionally be signs of more serious conditions like neuropathies, diabetes and disc herniations in the spine, so it is important to consult with a physician and rule these out.
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