why does my arm go numb while running or doing a bike?

tkdub

New member
Oct 31, 2008
1
0
1
whenever i run more than a mile, my right arm, and only my right arm goes numb. i do the arm circles like people say to do and it doesn't help. even a day or two after my shoulder is still tingly. also, when i use a bike at the gym, both of my arms go numb to the point i can't pick up my water bottle. i drink water and gatorade everyday and limit the amount of juices i consume. i am in decent shape and 22 years old. any ideas?
 
maybe a circulation issue like others have mentioned.. Or maybe a pinched nerve? Are you running/biking with your shoulders tensed and hunched up toward your ears? If so, concentrate on keeping your shoulders low and relaxed and swing your elbows high as you stride(while running anyway). Bad form can cause pain and uncomfortable sensations while running.. I know from experience. Oh.. one thing I do that helps loosen up my arms during a run...roll your wrists every once and awhile during the run. It keeps the forearms from getting stiff and numb. Good luck.. hope it gets better for you!
 
hmmm
not sure to be honest. could be something to do with your blood circulation?
my arms go numb when i run but thats just the cold.
 
hmmm
not sure to be honest. could be something to do with your blood circulation?
my arms go numb when i run but thats just the cold.
 
Best Answer
As you exercise, your muscles increase in size by up to 20%. If the fascia that surrounds each muscle group and its nerves and blood vessels cannot expand enough to accommodate this enlargement and start to compress the nerve and blood vessels (CECS). As exercise continues, the pain, numbness and loss of muscle control (causing the foot to slap the ground) become so severe that exercise must stop. As the swelling subsides so do the symptoms; your leg examination would be normal in your doctor's office. To diagnose this problem, the pressure in the muscle compartments of the leg are measured prior to and following exercise. Elevated pressures are diagnostic of CECS; surgery is the treatment for this problem.

The popliteal artery is a large blood vessel that runs behind the knee. Occasionally the artery may be compressed (typically by the gastrocnemius) during exercise, compromising blood flow to the muscles. Symptoms resolve with cessation of exercise. Diagnosis involves evaluation of the artery during muscle contraction, such as a magnetic resonance arteriogram. Surgery is the treatment for this problem.

It is also possible that there is nerve irritation in the back or buttocks causing these symptoms.

You should see a sports medicine specialist to determine the cause of these symptoms and appropriate treatment.
Reference: marathoner/multi sport athlete
 
As you exercise, your muscles increase in size by up to 20%. If the fascia that surrounds each muscle group and its nerves and blood vessels cannot expand enough to accommodate this enlargement and start to compress the nerve and blood vessels (CECS). As exercise continues, the pain, numbness and loss of muscle control (causing the foot to slap the ground) become so severe that exercise must stop. As the swelling subsides so do the symptoms; your leg examination would be normal in your doctor's office. To diagnose this problem, the pressure in the muscle compartments of the leg are measured prior to and following exercise. Elevated pressures are diagnostic of CECS; surgery is the treatment for this problem.

The popliteal artery is a large blood vessel that runs behind the knee. Occasionally the artery may be compressed (typically by the gastrocnemius) during exercise, compromising blood flow to the muscles. Symptoms resolve with cessation of exercise. Diagnosis involves evaluation of the artery during muscle contraction, such as a magnetic resonance arteriogram. Surgery is the treatment for this problem.

It is also possible that there is nerve irritation in the back or buttocks causing these symptoms.

You should see a sports medicine specialist to determine the cause of these symptoms and appropriate treatment.
Reference: marathoner/multi sport athlete
 
Back
Top