Numbness in fingertips

[marino]

So I have had problems with my fingertips going numb throughout the day. More specifically my middle three (index, middle, ring) fingers. I have asked a few guys at the gym and they all have or have had this problem in the past. Apparently its related to forearm/wrist muscle tightness. I saw my doctor about a month ago and he scared me into believing I was developing carpal tunnel and told me not to lift heavy weights in the gym. (no help there) So a buddie tells me that as long as I regulary stretch this problem should subside.

Does it go away with stretching or not? Does anyone just ignore it?

[AlladdinSane]

ART.

[CanadianIron]

Wear wrist straps and stay away from movements that aggravate the problem. Doctors just blanket bomb over every possible cause to make sure they've covered all their bases, you should be fine to lift.

[faller]

Do you smoke? Seriously!

[bigtavi8]

Had the same problem...Smoking does decrease blood flow like faller sed and its def noticable but it also may be the extensor and flexor muscles in the forearm. The forarm muscles are responsible for flexing the fingers therefore it may be a forearm muscle problem. When i had these old straps without the neoprene little pad i got this bad from hanging a lot of weight on the outside of my wrist. I went to no staps, gloves, hooks or nothing and used chalk instead for about 6 months and no more numbness. It can get pretty dam annoying i know.

[marino]

Non smoker, never have. I do use wrists wraps for deadlifts, pullups and so on but basically only on back day. I guess I just need a massage to loosen up the forearms

[CanadianIron]

I wasnt talking about lifting straps, im talking about wrist wraps (straps)... you tighten them around yours wrists and they support the joint and aid your forearms during presses and curls etc.

[Felinecougar]

I had carpal pretty bad at first 9 yrs ago.

Avoid dips off a bench behind you..to much strain on the wrists in an unnatural way.

Avoid up right rows with heavy weights too..same issue. Or do them with an easy curl bar and hold it in a neutral hold.

Are you taking anything with..ephedrine and caffeine? They do this to me..but more so in my feet.

Lay off it for a few days and see if it's better.

Your computer desk and mouse could be the problem and not the gym. Ah? Maybe? How much time are you typing each day?

[marino]

I had carpal pretty bad at first 9 yrs ago.

Are you taking anything with..ephedrine and caffeine? They do this to me..but more so in my feet.

Lay off it for a few days and see if it's better.

Your computer desk and mouse could be the problem and not the gym. Ah? Maybe? How much time are you typing each day?

I don't do too much typing at work, secondly no ephidrine and only caffeine is one or two cups coffee first thing in the am. Might just have too take it easy on the weight for a bit then see if it lightens up

[_Ragnar_]

I would go to the chiropractor. This used to happen to me, it was because my back was out and my spine was putting pressure on a nerve.

[spikedcow]

I would go to the chiropractor. This used to happen to me, it was because my back was out and my spine was putting pressure on a nerve.

A good friend of mine is a chiro. and he says that this is most likely the problem. He says get checked out before you do anymore lifting.

[Drummer]

So I have had problems with my fingertips going numb throughout the day. More specifically my middle three (index, middle, ring) fingers. I have asked a few guys at the gym and they all have or have had this problem in the past. Apparently its related to forearm/wrist muscle tightness. I saw my doctor about a month ago and he scared me into believing I was developing carpal tunnel and told me not to lift heavy weights in the gym. (no help there) So a buddie tells me that as long as I regulary stretch this problem should subside.

Does it go away with stretching or not? Does anyone just ignore it?

You definitely have some nerve damage or pinching. For me, the pinky and next finger are the ones who go numb, thats the ulnar nerve. I believe that those fingers are affected by what your doc says. Just really pay attention to what triggers it, use alternative exercises for a couple months, and try to avoid motions that affect it. It will get better until you re-aggrevate it. Unfortunatly, it will probably be easy to aggravate for life, like mine.

~D~

EDIT - i use wrist wraps from GO fitness - they are made of seatbelt material and offer the best support for wrists ive ever used!

[punkrock]

I had/have the same problem, I started getting back arm pump when I was dirt biking and could barely open my hands after a good ride.

I've taken a couple weeks off from the gym because of surgury and the problem subsided. Before I was actually waking up in the morning and my finger tips were numb.

Also doing the "prayer stretch" helps. I was told you shouldn't stretch your forearms on a bench like you see some guys do. It puts to much force on them and actually causes more damage then proper stretching.

Skip to 3:20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI2NlBI15to

[BAM]

..........