Going Numb

Updated on October 09, 2008
A.C. asks from Lemon Grove, CA
5 answers

Ever since I had my son my wrists have become extremely sore and now my left hand often goes numb. Do any of you know what this could be?

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J.G.

answers from San Diego on

I agree with the others it sounds like carpal tunnel. Please speak with your doctor for sure. My doctor decided to have me wear over the counter hard wrist supports to bed. They keep your wrists straight at night to give the nerves a rest and reduce any nerve swelling the daytime may have caused. I found it very effective and in a couple months post partum my issue resolved itself. I did not need medication or further medical care. Good Luck!

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L.H.

answers from Santa Barbara on

I have wrist pain from being on the computer too much, but it became more obvious when my children were born...I think because you do more 'repetative' things (ie: change diapers, feed bottles, rock babies, hold babies, etc) with your arms/wrists and they get sore...but IMHO it can stem from previous actions...just become more prominate when you're doing sooo many more 'consistant/repetative' movements in addition to the ones you did before children.

Hope that makes sense?

I agree you should see a doc, wrist pain sucks! :(

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S.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi
Sounds like carpel tunnel from all the heavy lifting. See your doctor. If it is really bad you can get a cortizone shot
Good luck

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L.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

I am a massage therapist and have often seen wrist pain/hand numbness connected to the muscles in the neck and shoulder. Your nerves and arteries pass through your tiny neck muscles (scalenes) which are in the triangle between your collar bone, neck and shoulder.

If you have a lot of neck tension (from breastfeeding, carrying baby, etc.) then these little muscles try to help and become inflamed. This causes an impingement on the nerves going to your arm and hands, resulting in numbness, pain. When this condition gets severe it is called thoracic outlet syndrome.

Just think about how often you have your head leaning forward -that is 10-14lbs that your small neck muscles have to support for extended periods. No wonder they get exhausted (as do we!!!)

Try massaging the area above your collar bone with you OPPOSITE hand while sitting with your head resting on a support (like a high chair.) Go ahead and apply a lot of pressure and see where it hurts. You wont break anything in there, but if you feel any of the pain radiating towards your arm, then this may be your problem.

The good news is that massaging the area stimulates circulation which will help reduce the inflammation and thereby reducing your symptoms. Give it a try, or go and get a quick chair massage at Whole Foods. Just tell them where you would like them to concentrate on.

I hope this helps!

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Go to your Doctor and check for 'carpel tunnel syndrome."

Often times, once you have a baby, the constant carrying, lifting, and what not, puts a great deal of stress on your wrists...and the daily usage of this "repetitious" body movement causes pain in the wrist.

I had that when I had my first baby, and then when I had my 2nd baby it happened again. I wore a wrist wrap/split.

But you want to make sure it doesn't get worse... that's why I suggest going to the Doctor.

As the baby gets older, they weigh heavier.. .and then your wrists may never "heal" because as Moms we are constantly carrying/lifting our babies or children.

I'm pretty sure this is what the problem is.
take care,
Susan

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