hands fell asleep while running?

pippywillow
pippywillow Posts: 253 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm usually an evening runner, but the kids were gone so I decided to go this morning instead. About halfway through my hands started feeling really tingly like they were asleep. It moved up my arms and I finally had to take a short walking break to shake them out till they woke up.

Is this normal?

Replies

  • bumblebums
    bumblebums Posts: 2,181 Member
    How is your posture? Sometimes people shrug their shoulders weirdly when they run without realizing it. Usually, tingly sensations are neural in nature, so I would look at your running mechanics... And no, I don't think it's typical.
  • pippywillow
    pippywillow Posts: 253 Member
    How is your posture? Sometimes people shrug their shoulders weirdly when they run without realizing it. Usually, tingly sensations are neural in nature, so I would look at your running mechanics... And no, I don't think it's typical.

    I don't think I do, but maybe. Thanks :)
  • bumblebums
    bumblebums Posts: 2,181 Member
    How is your posture? Sometimes people shrug their shoulders weirdly when they run without realizing it. Usually, tingly sensations are neural in nature, so I would look at your running mechanics... And no, I don't think it's typical.

    I don't think I do, but maybe. Thanks :)

    It's possible that this manifested in the morning because you slept funny--do your arms fall asleep at night? That IS very common, especially if you are a side sleeper.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Whether it's normal or not is kind of subjective. I googled about it and found several posted questions and articles about it so it does seem to be fairly common. There are a myriad of answers though. If it concerns you enough, please contact your doctor for advice.

    I sometimes have that pins & needsles feeling in my arms or fingers when I run. For me it seems to be related to the tension in my body. I tend to hold a lot of tension in my shoulders and upper back so if I'm having a tough run, I get all tensed up and that usually leads to the pins & needles feeling. When I start feeling it coming on, I try to slow my pace a bit, correct my posture and shake out my shoulders and arms to relax the tension and that usually helps.

    The other downfall of holding tension in your arms/shoulders/back is that it really wastes your energy and you can get tired out quicker than you would if that area is relaxed. Be really conscious of your posture and check yourself often.
  • spfldpam
    spfldpam Posts: 738 Member
    I don't run due to bad knees but have noticed my hands feel numb or fall asleep when doing certain movements in my Water in Motion Cardio class. I have noticed it the last two times in class and most recently last night. I do have some carpal tunnel issues so maybe that is what it is? I will keep checking this link to see what others say!
  • PeteWhoLikesToRunAlot
    PeteWhoLikesToRunAlot Posts: 596 Member
    I get various odd sensations from my shoulders, all the way down to my fingertips on longer runs. Usually coincides with holding my shoulders too stiff, or swinging arms too much, especially as I'm leaning into hills. Try to get a feel for how you're holding your shoulders, and try to relax them a bit
  • smelons
    smelons Posts: 450 Member
    I get this problem and also suffered from tingling and numbness in my feet when using the cross trainer. I've no idea why.
  • rassha01
    rassha01 Posts: 534 Member
    As many of the others have said, I believe it is fairly common. I usually get it on my longer/harder runs and when I feel it coming I slow my pace, try to loosen up my upper body and shake out my shoulders down to my hands a bit. Sometimes it goes away after a few minutes sometimes it sticks with for the rest of the run. I have never had it bad enough to make stop and walk though. Stick with it and see if you can pin point a cause, good luck!!
  • pippywillow
    pippywillow Posts: 253 Member
    How is your posture? Sometimes people shrug their shoulders weirdly when they run without realizing it. Usually, tingly sensations are neural in nature, so I would look at your running mechanics... And no, I don't think it's typical.

    I don't think I do, but maybe. Thanks :)

    It's possible that this manifested in the morning because you slept funny--do your arms fall asleep at night? That IS very common, especially if you are a side sleeper.

    Yes my arms do fall asleep at night. I like to sleep on my stomach.
    I get various odd sensations from my shoulders, all the way down to my fingertips on longer runs. Usually coincides with holding my shoulders too stiff, or swinging arms too much, especially as I'm leaning into hills. Try to get a feel for how you're holding your shoulders, and try to relax them a bit

    I bet that's why. I'll try to relax them more next time.

    I've been really focusing on my breathing lately and maybe my posture is lacking a little bit. I'm still pretty new to this so there's a lot to get used to.

    Thanks for the help everyone, I'm glad I'm not the only one :D
  • stanthemovieman
    stanthemovieman Posts: 23 Member
    I can't say this has happened while jogging but it does happen on the elliptical. Perhaps you are squeezing your arms against your sides and that's cutting off the blood flow to your hands. If it continues, perhaps concentrate on having a free flowing arm swing from the shoulder and see if that helps. If it persists then I'd mention it to the Dr. next time you see him.
  • ze_hombre
    ze_hombre Posts: 377 Member
    I get this fairly regularly and its because I run with my forearms a bit high (parallel to the ground or higher). When I start to notice it I will take a few dozen steps with them hanging lower or shake them out to get some fresh blood in them. Seems that having the elbows bent for too long causes the blood vessels to get restricted. The other people I run with have this issue as well. If you ever watch marathon runners they run with their forearms pointed more at the ground. This is why.

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