Why do hands swell and lower back hurt when I'm walking?

socalgardengal

Just noticed that while I go for my walks, halfway through my hands are swelling up. Why and is it a problem or just normal.
Also my tailbone is killing me. I only walk 3 miles. There are lots of hills and I'm 50 lbs overweight, if that matters at all. Thanks

Qskim

I don't know why but my hands swell too when I initially start walking again and then eventually after a few walks it stops. I've still around 20lbs to lose and have experienced it at all weight levels thus far.

Tailbone no problem but I do have problem with periformis going down hill. Up is ok. So does up or down make a difference for you? Maybe run it by your Doc. Could be lower back more than tailbone.

foxlme

My hands swell too! I have to remember to take my rings off before heading out. I agree with mrsbaldee that weight doesn't seem to make a difference. Sodium? Should I walk with my hands up like I do when I run?

Psychgrrl

Hey! We're neighbors-ish! I'm up in Irvine! YAY SoCal!!!

The hands swelling sounds kinda scary to me--I'd check in with your doctor. As for the lower back, that might be a good doc question as well. What about your shoes? Do you have good supportive shoes? That may help your lower back.

Qskim

foxlme wrote: »

My hands swell too! I have to remember to take my rings off before heading out. I agree with mrsbaldee that weight doesn't seem to make a difference. Sodium? Should I walk with my hands up like I do when I run?

Lol I thought about holding hands up too. It can feel pretty uncomfortable (the swelling not holding hands up).

Is there an extra burn for holding hands up?

Psychgrrl wrote: »

Hey! We're neighbors-ish! I'm up in Irvine! YAY SoCal!!!

The hands swelling sounds kinda scary to me--I'd check in with your doctor. As for the lower back, that might be a good doc question as well. What about your shoes? Do you have good supportive shoes? That may help your lower back.

I agree always good to run by doctor. I have seen this Q asked before on here and can't remember the replies! I think it's fairly common though.

And yes...shoes can make a huge difference to the back.

earth_echo

I get tailbone pain when I'm low in magnesium.

socalgardengal

I will definetly see my doc about the back pain. My husband seems to think it's because of the pressure on your heels when walking down hill.
Just asked google about the swelling and it says it's from fluid being rushes into your arms when swinging them (kind of like when you shake the ink down in a pen when it runs low) and to hold them higher when walking. It should get better in time.

mangrothian

The hands swelling is from your arms swinging by your sides as you walk harder than a casual stroll. The little bit of centrifugal force the swing creates forces fluid to flow down into your hands and fingers causing them to swell. It's also why walking with your hands up and doing some 'spirit fingers' helps get rid of the swelling.

As a comparison, since you don't let your arms hang by your sides when you run (at least unless you're in some sort of comedy show ) they'll barely swell in comparison.

As to the lower back pain (unfortunately to which I can definitely relate), it could be a number of things, from posture affecting issues like early signs of osteo-arthritis in your spine, mild scoliosis, muscle tightness, or just the wrong pair of shoes. Go to your doc or a physiotherapist to get that checked out, and make sure your shoes are right for your foot type and your gait (how your feet land and move whilst you walk) and aren't so old that all the good features on them have worn out.

GiGiBeans

Probably just fluid pooling in your hands but if you are walking a lot of hills and perspiring a lot and drinking plain water (or no water, yikes) try putting a teaspoon of salt into your water with some lemon. Sometimes it's sodium loss that causes swelling.

lesliezimmer

My hands swell and lower back hurts too. I tend to hold my hands above my head for part of my walk and move my wrists around a lot so the blood/fluid collected can rush out of my hands into my torso. It's just gravity.

As far as my lower back, I have to stretch it daily after long walks. I get super bad back pain from walking long distances. I was told it's because my ab (stomach) muscles aren't strong so my back is overcompensating for holding me up. Time for me to do crunches, I guess

ohmscheeks

Interesting, my hands swell when I walk as well; usually after an hour or so. I thought it was just from taking in too much salt, lol.