Poor circulation in hands

KPRott · #1 12-01-2009, 11:39 AM

Alright. So I guess I have some sort of problem with blood flow to my hands, they don't get enough sometimes and they go freezing cold and numb. (Mostly in warm weather. Strange.)

My right hand is affected the worst, but it's just my picking hand so I don't worry too much about that. But my left hand, the fretting hand, goes numb as well and it's hard to move it quickly and accurately. Since my bass lines aren't simply a string of root notes, and the band will be gigging out very soon, I don't wanna run the risk of screwing up my part because of cold, numb hands.

Has anyone got a similar problem or have any ideas on how to control it?

stflbn · #2 12-01-2009, 11:48 AM

I'd diagnose it as likely a form of Raynaud's Syndrome or Phenomenon.

http://www.health.com/health/library...180983,00.html

I've had it my whole life. It made it 'difficult' for an Iowa farm boy growing up in the midwest with chores to do like splitting wood and taking care of animals in sub-zero weather during the winter. But often it would also show itself when swimming or other activities that cool your extremities.

KPRott · #3 12-01-2009, 11:50 AM

Yeah that's what I've been told. I guess it must be a low-level version or something because my hands never really discolor, they just go a bit pale. I've tried running them under warm water and it helps, but only for a few minutes. What did you do to remedy yours?

stflbn · #4 12-01-2009, 11:56 AM

I moved from Iowa to Tennessee.

:-)

The more tolerable climate helped a lot. But I still find a finger or two going numb if I do something outside with water in the winter, etc. Or rarely if I'm wandering around the house on cold tile floors without slippers or something a toe can go numb.

I don't really think about it much anymore unless i'm going to be outside for an extended period of time. It was 29 degrees here in Nashville this morning and I definitely made sure I wore gloves.

KPRott · #5 12-01-2009, 11:59 AM

Kinda funny you say that. I was considering moving to Tennessee to live with my cousin near Nashville, in Murfreesboro.

I find my hands go numb more in warm weather though. May be because the contrast in temperatures makes it more noticeable, but either way it's a pain in the arse when I got band practice.

anonymous02282011 · #6 12-01-2009, 12:01 PM

this might be helpful

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salabhasana

The picture gives you the right idea. But:

1. Make sure your palms are on the floor with your pinkies touching.
2. your elbows/arms should be inside your hip bones.
3. Keep your chin on the floor as you lift your legs.
4. As you lift the legs, bring your body weight to the shoulders and grip the floor with the palms flat.

It's free. Try it.

jenderfazz · #7 12-05-2009, 12:03 PM

i've got some kind of mild primary raynaud's, and i'm taking blood pressure meds, which help a bit. exercise helps for sure. but my hands are constantly cold and painful in the winter (oh yeah, canadian winters...) which sucks because i love hockey and snowboarding haha. besides temperature, high humidity levels seem to trigger it, so keep an eye out for that.

a few things:

no alcohol/smoking and minimal caffeine before gigs, as they can make symptoms worse.

keep your hands warm with gloves until you step out on stage.

warm up properly before the show, running through your basslines till they feel good. this has the added benefit of warming up your strings, so if you tune before heading out, your bass should stay relatively tuned for the whole set.

it helps to warm your hands in medium-warm water for a few minutes to get them going again, just be careful because your skin will be very soft for a few minutes and bass strings will tear through your fingers! don't do this immediately before going onstage.

youngin · #8 12-07-2009, 07:22 AM

I also have experienced raynauds and talked to my doctor regarding possible methods of alleviating the numb sensation. What he recommended to me was making sure your core is warm (even in summer). He mentioned that allot of people will try to wear gloves to fight the cold feeling but if you make sure your torso is warm then periphery blood flow will follow. I had tried the warm water thing with little results as well but the core warming method has worked for me/

Fergie Fulton · #9 12-08-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

I'd diagnose it as likely a form of Raynaud's Syndrome or Phenomenon.

http://www.health.com/health/library...180983,00.html

I've had it my whole life. It made it 'difficult' for an Iowa farm boy growing up in the midwest with chores to do like splitting wood and taking care of animals in sub-zero weather during the winter. But often it would also show itself when swimming or other activities that cool your extremities.

Great link, i have added it to the health sticky.
There are many reasons for cold hands or low blood pressure, so always seek out medical opinion from doctor.

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sympto...nds/causes.htm

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/3.12/mccarthy.html

Don Higdon · #10 12-08-2009, 07:50 PM

Certain heart medications can restrict capillaries, reducing blood flow to the extremeties. I suffered Reynaud's until I backed off of vasotec.

EagleMoon · #11 12-09-2009, 01:43 PM

I've had this as long as I can remember. My hands and feet are always cold if the weather is chilly. I've gotten the white fingers after being outside in the winter multiple times. It usually affects my little and ring finger the most. I know that I also have thin, deep veins because whenever I try to get blood drawn they always have trouble. It's not much fun to always have cold hands and feet. The only time I feel comfortable is when it's 80 and 90° outside.

Don Higdon · #12 12-09-2009, 03:21 PM

One consequence of reduced circulation to the fingers is drying and cracking of the skin. The best treatment for the skin that I've found is Lactinole-E Cream. The operative ingredient is lactic acid. It worked wonders for me.

Nightlyraider · #13 12-09-2009, 03:47 PM

I suffer from this, as does my father. I know having an extremely low blood pressure is part of the equation. Multiple times the doctor has asked if I run alot; always have to respond with the ol' hamburgers and beer diet just works wonders routine.

There have been a few times I've just walked off during practice to return with a second pair of socks; my feet were going so numb I couldn't feel em anymore. I haven't had any "unplayable" hand cooling experiences though.

Slightly OT here: any of you guys told constantly how cold you are when shaking hands?? It happens to me almost daily.

Don Higdon · #14 12-09-2009, 04:41 PM

I'll make a really wild guess that you're not a doctor.

archer121 · #15 12-09-2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KPRott

Alright. So I guess I have some sort of problem with blood flow to my hands, they don't get enough sometimes and they go freezing cold and numb. (Mostly in warm weather. Strange.)

My right hand is affected the worst, but it's just my picking hand so I don't worry too much about that. But my left hand, the fretting hand, goes numb as well and it's hard to move it quickly and accurately. Since my bass lines aren't simply a string of root notes, and the band will be gigging out very soon, I don't wanna run the risk of screwing up my part because of cold, numb hands.

Has anyone got a similar problem or have any ideas on how to control it?

Kind of a weird question but do you smoke? Nicotine is known to constrict blood vessels and can amplify cold sensitivity in the extremities (predominantly hands and feet.)