pins and needles...

[stev0]

Been noticing lately that my left hand is prone to getting pins and needles... I guess its not normal?

 

Anybody have something similar happen to them?

[King_Crispy]

Learn to breathe properly, almost like Le Mans breathing for women at childbirth.

That and not gripping your bars too tightly.

Take your hand off the grip and shake it to get the blood back into the fingertips

[stev0]

Its almost like the bar-ends are digging into the side of my hand and cutting off circulation. Ill try the breathing technique, but even as im typing now there is a 15% tingle in my left hand, only the ring and pinkie though... weird!

[YABRA]

Hi, hav same problem. Saw specialist and went for mri scan. Turns out I have bone degeneration in my 4th and 5th vertabre. Caused friction or tension on the nerves which resulted in pins and needles in my arms and hands. I had to go in for day procedure i.e. stunned the nerves causing the pain. Was done 2years ago and only lasts 2years so need to have done again. Suggest u hav it checked out by specialist. Hope its nothing but rather safe than sorry. Ciao

[MintSauce]

StevO, google Ulnar Nerve Entrapment or search the hub. I've elaborated on it a few times on here as these issues tend to pop up on here from time to time. Not going to explain the whole thing again.

 

I doubt you'll have the same issue as YABRA

Edited March 16, 2011 by MintSauce

[Lance Roberts]

Good morning guys,

Sorry to jump in on this topic, but I have something else that sounds similar. When I do a long ride I loose the feeling in my toes, and sometimes it also feels like pins and needles in the tip of my toes. Is this also a nerve problem, or could it be my shoes?

 

I was thinking it might be the position of my cleats and that the blood flow is getting cut off.

 

Please let me know what you think?

 

Thanks,

 

Lance

[Mechanick]

If you do hav pins and needles inyour hands, especially with side bars, you are rpone to grip too tightly and lean on the nerve that passes in side/bottom of the hand causing the issue. If the problem does not go away i.e.e you have pins and needles for three or more days, do not be concerned as it usually takes two weeks to recover.

 

Same issue for guys doing rides like the epic when they complain that they cannot get a hard on. Its due to cutting off the nerve for a prolonged period of time, but will recover.

[YABRA]

That's it, i'm never doing the epic hehe

[stev0]

Great thread, thanks guys and gals.

 

Maggi, thats it.

 

I find it difficult to loosen my grip... Would a wider bar or different sidebars help?

[Rick]

Stev0, ulnar nerve neuopathy is worth taking seriously. If the numbness (needles) lasts for a week or more you need to sort your bike out somehow. I suffered from this badly and ended up taping a whole bunch of neoprene padding (wetsuit) to the bars. helped, but looked k@k. If you have a budget for some new bars i can honestly say these are from heaven: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=36074

 

Just remember, it has nothing to do with blood flow, it is pressure on the nerve. The nerve runs through the middle of your palm so it is unprotected at the wrist. Try shift the pressure onto the pads of flesh on either side and get gloves that have big pads on either side so they create a channel in the middle that is not making contact.

[stev0]

Prisma,

 

The numbness is gone now. I ride a mtb so those bars wont work... perhaps another bar suggestion?

[I-FELT-the-FORCE]

Handlbar Palsy? I had the same problem. Turned out my bike setup was slightly off and I was "squashing" the nerves in my hand. Pins and needles and numbness would ensue for about 2-3 days after a long ride. Have a look at your bike setup before you do anything rash, also, mabe look at the padding in yoru gloves.

[RudoJ]

I also experience it from time to time. Counter it bye regularly changing hand positions...bar-ends, normal handle bar grip, and then when there's a nice flat section and I hammer it, I grip over my gearlevers

[FrancoisC]

Handlbar Palsy? I had the same problem. Turned out my bike setup was slightly off and I was "squashing" the nerves in my hand. Pins and needles and numbness would ensue for about 2-3 days after a long ride. Have a look at your bike setup before you do anything rash, also, mabe look at the padding in yoru gloves.

+1

Had similar pins and needles in hands and later feet.

Had my bike properly set up, some minor changes, no more problems.

[tombeej]

stev0, I've been through the exact issue you have, also in the left hand.

 

Besides reading up on ulnar nerve entrapment, I sorted it out this way:

 

1. I re-checked my seat and made sure it wasn't pointed down at all - made sure I wasn't falling off the seat therefore putting too much pressure on my hands.

2. I went to my LBS and bought a stem that can be adjusted to a 45 degree angle. Put my flat stem away for the time being. I found that just getting riser bars weren't enough - I had to get my hands much higher.

3. I bought new grips for the handles, and then bought tape for tennis/squash rackets, and added those to the handles (for more shock absorption).

4. I constantly change hand position from my bar ends to the handles and back when I ride.

 

The purpose of doing all these things was to take the pressure off my hands and the ulnar nerve.

 

Worked for me 100%.

 

But for me (can't speak for your situation), I believe a big reason for my nerve entrapment was that I have a weak lower back from an old recurring injury. So I try to work on my back and core more - stretching and strength. Over time I've been able to discard the heavy 45 degree stem and put my flat stem back again. I still cycle with thick padded handles.

[The Drongo]

Great thread, thanks guys and gals.

 

Maggi, thats it.

 

I find it difficult to loosen my grip... Would a wider bar or different sidebars help?

 

Try a different bar, with a shallower sweep, or even a flat bar if you are XC riding.

 

Also check that your bars are wide enough, and that your brake levers are at the right pitch.

 

Try silicone grips.