Help! My fingers are numb!

[Guitar Guy]

I apologize for the similarity to other threads, but I have some specific questions and I didn't want to hijack someone else's thread.I'm starting to notice numbness mainly in my little finger, slightly in my ring finger. I'm sure I'm working too much from my upper body, but I'm in a tiny room and I can't get my legs behind me enough for more leverage (the other 2 therapists there don't seem to have a problem with the space).I use my elbows, knuckles, supported thumbs, etc. as much as possible, and I wash in cold water after every massage (GREAT tip from my boss, works wonders!).  All of these things have reduced any joint/wrist pain I had before, but the numbness is still there.  I intend to buy some tools soon.In the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions for stretching or strengthening exercises for my shoulders and upper back?  My arms don't feel tight, but my lats/teres major/minor do.  Also, my neck is usually hurting pretty badly by the end of the day.  I think that even when I do use my elbows, I'm using my upper body strength to push.  How do I break these habits??  Ugh!  :-[

 

[Tasha]

Help!  My fingers are numb!

You HAVE to have good body mechanics. If that space is so tiny that you can't get your feet behind you, it's too small of a room for massage. There are no tricks of the trade to cheat good body mechanics. Unless you're a fan of constant rehabilitation for your own body. Your stance is closer to straight up than it should be so, yeah, you've got a lot of upper body strain going on. You may not be able to put your feet back, but remember to keep your back straight, and SQUAT! The power of your strokes should be coming from your core, not upper or lower body. Squatting keeps your back straight, and allows you to keep your body aligned with your strokes. AND it keeps your body honest by not allowing any particular area to overwork itself. Hope this helps.

 

[max g]

stretching

...does anyone have any suggestions for stretching...

Just to get started look at stretching pec minor and subscapularis. Add sternocleidomastoid and scalenes.

Specifically for the finger numbness try working flexor carpi ulnaris. Tightness in that muscle can entrap the nerve. Use an active release technique, which is to compress the muscle with the thumb while extending the wrist and fingers.

Learn active isolated stretching from Arron Mattes, Phil Wharton and James Waslaski. Mattes' book is about $35 and Waslaski has a good video for about $65.

http://www.stretchingusa.com

http://www.aistretch.com

http://www.orthomassage.net

 

[click66441]

Help!  My fingers are numb!

Numbness in the ring finger and little finger may be caused by the impingement of a nerve in the lower cervical spine. I think it's the sixth cervical nerved route. I would suggest getting a chiropractor to look at it.-Melody

 

[Thursday]

Thanks for all your suggestions!  Breathe, those stretches are great!  I am using my left elbow a lot more than my right, but my fingers go numb when I'm compressing with them, so I don't think I'm overusing the elbow.I checked flexor carpi ulnaris, and it is pretty tight.  Looks like it's time for me to get a massage!  And I am going to look at finding a chiropractor.Thanks again everyone!  ;D

 

[BMT]

numbness in the hand can also be caused by a brachial nerver entrapment, which runs right through the scalenes.  You mentioned your neck is kinda sore after a day of work.  Try having your scalenes worked on, along with pec minor to relieve some of that entrapment.Chris

 

[Bumble]

Help!  My fingers are numb!

This happens to me if my table is too high, because I end up bringing my shoulders up to get leverage... so DROP YOUR TABLE!!!

 

[jennystuart64]

Hmmm, this also sounds like it could be classic entrapment of the ulnar nerve between the two heads of pronator teres....  Try stripping through pronator teres and some stretching...Classic symptoms and really REALLY popular in RMTs...HTH

 

[chrisbrownismine]

Help!  My fingers are numb!

Hmmm, this also sounds like it could be classic entrapment of the ulnar nerve between the two heads of pronator teres...

It's the median nerve that passes between the two heads of pronator teres.

The ulnar nerve - as mentioned - passess through a fibrous tunnel at the medial epicondyle, then through flexor carpi ulnaris, and the two finger flexors.  

 

[The One With Three Eyes]

Help!  My fingers are numb!

I know this may sound silly, but if none of the above seems to help you. I had the same problem with my thumbs and a couple fingers going numb. I do a lot of dp tissue and nmt work so I just figured it was from that. Nothing seemed to help, it was such a mystery until I realized I was cutting my nails a little too short. Ever since I stopped, I haven't had any numbness!!

 

[Divide et Impera]

Whoops, Palpateit, where was m head when I typed this.... ?    Yes, flexor carpi ulnaris, that is what I meant to type.  I know that the two heads can entrap the ulnar nerve and I know many of my collegues have had problems with this.Thanks for catching this....   :-/