Home› General Training Discussions

Numb Hand

spabblingtonspabblington
in General Training Discussions

When doing a bike ride longer than about 30 mins, my left hand always goes numb.  Doesn't matter if I am in aero or sitting upright.  It is never my right hand, always my left.  After I tired of the numb feeling, I have to sit up and 'shake it out' until it feels almost normal.  I repeat this process over and over during the length of my ride.

Any ideas on why this happens or what I can do to prevent?  Folks locally have mentioned things like making sure I don't put too much pressure on my hands while riding, and making sure I am not holding a death grip on my handle bars.  But again, this happens while in aero as well.  And I am very concious about NOT doing those things anyway.

Thanks!

Comments

  • new2703new2703
    Whole hand or certain parts (example fingers 4-5, or digits 1-3)?
  • spabblingtonspabblington

    Whole hand including fingers.

  • new2703new2703
    Difficult question to answer without seeing you. Could be any number of things from wrist position while holding bars, to neck and shoulder positioning while on the bike or maybe even both.
  • Michele CellaiMichele Cellai
    I agree with John on the fact that it could be any number of issues.

    I used to get a lot of wrist pain because of the angle of my aero bars. In my bike fit with TTBikeFit, they adjusted the bars and problem solved. Sometimes my left forearm or hand (only) feels weird. It is due to pressure at my elbow. My shoulders are tight and this causes a whole host of problems, and my neck hurts.

    Now I am sitting here wondering why I do this sport.... Kidding. It is all fixable. I just have to do my stretches.

    Check your fit. If that doesn't help, a good physical therapist can help.
  • jburbattjburbatt
    Does it happen any other time you put pressure similarly but doing a different activity? Definitely could be having some nerve issues with your arm and hand that just happen to be manifesting while riding. I'd recommend seeing a doc.
  • spabblingtonspabblington

    Thanks - the more I think about it, there are occasions that I get the numbness at other times, although not for the same extended periods of time.  Had never really put that together with the numbness of the rides.  Perhaps it is something a doc or PT should/could see/help with.

    Thanks again for the discussion and for giving me some things to think about.

  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    hahaha. We should hang out together. It happens to my RIGHT hand from time to time. I generally think it is just because I stay in the same position too long. If I move my hands around and change gip a lot no issues. I just shake it out as you describe and keep riding....
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    Could be that you're pinching a nerve. Check this out:

    http://www.hughston.com/hha/a_15_3_2.htm

    Don't think it's necessarily "serious" though. Proper fit and position probably plays a role in this too. You might be able to resolve it by wearing cycling gloves, or even just getting new handlebar tape. There's nothing that refreshes the feeling of your ride better than a new tape job...
Sign In or Register to comment.