When you least expect it, your hand or arm might go numb. Numbness can occur for a variety of reasons, including carpal tunnel syndrome, nerve damage, and dehydration. Just because you experience something once doesn’t mean it will never happen again. You can reduce the risk of this happening by being aware of potential triggers and taking preventive measures accordingly. This post will explain how to make your arm or hand go numb in order to prevent the discomfort from recurring.
How To Make Your Hand Go Numb?
Jumping Rope
Jumping rope is a form of exercise that can cause your hand to go numb. This is because it places a lot of pressure on your hands, wrists, and forearms. When you jump rope, your hands take a lot of the impact. As a result, your hands may start to go numb. When this happens, you can slightly change the way you jump rope to relieve the pressure on your hands. For example, you can jump on a softer surface or adjust the speed of the rope. Jumping rope is a great way to build endurance and burn a lot of calories. That being said, you do want to be careful not to overdo it. Jumping rope is a pretty high-impact exercise, which can lead to injuries such as sprains and fractures in your fingers, hands, and wrists. If you have weak or injured hands, jumping a rope may not be the best exercise for you.
Heavy Lifting
When you lift heavy weights, your hands might go numb as well. This is because the muscles in your hands are contracting so hard that they are shaking. When muscles shake, the blood flow is interrupted. This is called a “blood rush,” and it happens when the muscles are so exhausted that they are unable to contract any further. When a blood rush occurs in your hands, it may feel like your hands are going numb. It’s almost like your hands are falling asleep. When this happens, it’s important to take a break and let your hands rest. If you continue to lift weights while your hands are numb, you run the risk of injuring yourself.
Cardio
If you’re used to lifting weights, but your hand goes numb when you engage in cardio exercises, then you may have a blood flow issue. When your heart is beating so quickly that it’s working harder than it normally would, the blood flow going to your hands may be restricted. This can cause your hands to go numb. If you notice that your hands are going numb when you do high-intensity cardio workouts, you can try adjusting your workout intensity and slowing down a bit. When it comes to cardio, you can try different exercises, such as swimming and rowing. Both of these exercises engage your upper and lower body. This can help you regulate your heart rate and blood flow, which in turn can help reduce the amount of time your hands go numb.
Stretching
If your hand goes numb while you’re stretching, this is not necessarily a bad thing. It’s a great indication of how much you are pushing yourself and how hard you are working out. When your hand goes numb while you are stretching, it means that you are pushing your muscles and joints so hard, that they’re reaching their limit. When your hand goes numb while you’re stretching, try modulating your stretching intensity. You might want to decrease the amount of time you are stretching or try decreasing the intensity with which you are stretching.
Incorporating Core Workouts
When you do core exercises, your hand may go numb as well. This is because your upper body is contracting so hard, that your hand is shaking. When your hand is shaking and your muscles are contracting so hard, they are reaching their limit. When they are reaching their limit, they are not able to receive enough blood flow. When your hand goes numb when you are doing core exercises, try decreasing the intensity of your core exercises and exercising at a slower pace. If you are doing a core exercise and your hand starts to go numb, it’s important to stop the exercise and rest your hands.
What Can Cause Your Arm Or Hand To Go Numb?
There are a variety of reasons why your arm or hand might go numb. Some of the most common reasons include:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Carpal tunnel syndrome is the result of pressure and swelling in the median nerve. This pressure and swelling reduce the circulation of blood in your hand, causing numbness in your fingers and thumb. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, and/or weakness in your hands and fingers.
- Nerve Damage: Nerve damage can be the result of any trauma that impacts your arm or hand. When a nerve is injured, it will not function properly and can cause numbness in the affected area.
- Dehydration: Dehydration is a common condition that can lead to numbness in your hands and arms. This is because the body can’t function correctly without enough water. When your body doesn’t have enough water, it can’t circulate nutrients and oxygen to your arms and hands.
- Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions can cause numbness in your arms or hands. These include diabetes, carpal tunnel syndrome, spinal conditions, and arthritis.
What To Do When Your Arm Goes Numb?
If your arm goes numb, you want to make sure that it returns to normal soon. There are a few things you can do when this happens:
- Take a Break: When you’re working, you may not realize that your arm is getting tired. You might be pushing yourself too hard without even realizing it. If you’re experiencing numbness in your arm and/or hand, you should take a break as soon as possible.
- Adjust Your Position: If you’re experiencing numbness in your arm, you may be sitting or standing in the wrong way. Make sure to sit straight and stand up straight throughout the day. If you’re experiencing numbness in your arm, try moving your arm in a full range of motion.
How To Stop Your Hand From Going Numb?
Change up your routine
In addition to the pain associated with a golfer’s finger, you may experience a tingling sensation in your fingers. This is because the long-term stress on the median nerve causes it to swell and press against a nearby ligament. However, the good news is that this tingling sensation may subside over time if you change the way you use your hands. By switching up your routine and putting your hands in different positions, you can help reduce the amount of pressure on the median nerve and prevent the golfer’s finger from coming back. For example, try switching up your typing position every 30 minutes or so to reduce the amount of pressure on your hands.
Stretch regularly
If you already have a golfer’s finger, you may be hesitant to start exercising. However, regular stretching can help retrain your hands and reduce the risk of golfer’s finger reoccurring. In fact, one study found that inflexible individuals were at a higher risk for median nerve compression syndromes, and that stretching may help relieve the symptoms. You don’t have to stretch for hours at a time to see results. In fact, just a few minutes of stretching here and there will help keep your hands and fingers flexible and healthy. You can even stretch while sitting at your computer — just make sure to keep your wrists straight while typing.
Use a wrist exerciser
If you’re experiencing a golfer’s finger and want to see results as quickly as possible, you may want to consider using a wrist exerciser. These small devices are designed to increase blood flow to the median nerve and help ease the symptoms of a golfer’s finger. There are a variety of different types of wrist exercisers available. Some fit around the wrist like a brace, while others clamp onto your fingers. Some even come with a remote control so you can treat your hands from a distance. While wrist exercisers won’t treat a golfer’s finger entirely, they can help retrain your hands and provide some pain relief in the meantime.
Avoid using your hands too much
The best way to avoid a golfer’s finger is to avoid using your hands altogether. In fact, many cases of golfer’s fingers are the result of long-term overuse. The best way to avoid overusing your hands is to make sure you’re taking time off every once in a while. Make sure to take regular breaks and leave time in your schedule for relaxation and rest. If you’re experiencing pain, see a doctor to rule out underlying issues like carpal tunnel syndrome or a golfer’s finger. Your doctor can recommend ways to relieve your symptoms, reduce your risk of complications, and avoid surgery.
Final Words
Apart from the things mentioned above, there are a variety of other causes that might lead your arm or hand to go numb. Some of the most common causes include poor posture, nerve damage, skin conditions, and vitamin deficiencies. There are many different things that can cause your arm or hand to go numb. By implementing these tips, you can reduce your risk of experiencing this condition.