By now, I feel like we know each other pretty well. I’ve come to you with plenty of questions and I’ve offered my unsolicited advice countless times. So, I’m hoping to perpetuate the cycle with this: During a workout tonight, (around 500y in), my left arm started to go numb. It was a feeling similar to a leg falling asleep. It started at my shoulder and I could feel the tingling going to my palm.
I’ve increased my swimming frequency but tried to avoid increasing my volume. So, my workouts have all been under 2000y; however, I’ve been in the pool the last 5 days in a row.
A brief google search tells me this is probably a pinched nerve. But what do you think? Any experiences? Any advice on how to rest or strengthen the shoulder?
I am no expert and really advise you not to get medical advice on a forum, but it sounds like something is pinching a nerve to me. I had some similar problems and found I have a cervical spinal stenosis. Did it get to your fingers? which ones will help tell you which nerve. The nerve can be pinched anywhere in arm up to the spine. Again, his is just a thought. If it goes away - good. If not go to a doc and get it a diagnosis.
I was having something similar. It would also run up neck. Went to chiropractor and be told me chest muscles were too tight. Recommended stretching by putting arms on each side of doorway and leaning in. I did this and stacked up pillows on ground and laid with them under middle of shoulders to also stretch chest. It did the trick. Not sure if this is your problem but it always started in my left shoulder
It does sound like a pinched nerve. I have one in my shoulder right around my clavicle (iguess) and my pinky and finger next to it get tinglie when in certsin positions.
I had the same thing in my hand a while ago. Chiro friend said to try stretching more before / during / after the swim set. I did that and it seems to have helped a lot.
I experience this myself. It’s 1 of 2 things. 1 is the pinched nerve already mentioned. The other possibility is poor circulation.
The poor circulation thing may not sound likely, but consider that in your extended state, arm in front, that the artery or vein can be compressed. Then during the catch and pull as you activate the back and shoulder muscles together, they can still be compressed…and the recovery motion may not be long enough for sufficient blood flow?
Anyway, It’s not uncommon whatever it is…and I still haven’t found a cure yet. My longer swims result in a dead hand until I’m done.
This happens to me frequently in the pool when doing long sets, left arm only. Starts in the fingers and works it’s way up. Usually about 1000 yards into sets of 400’s or 500’s I can feel it. 50’s, 100’s, where I stand on the wall more often, don’t seem to irritate it. Oddly enough, I’ve done 2 Olympic tris so far this season and nothing at all with over 1000 yards of straight swimming. Also happens when I ride my road bike (not tri though). I figure it must be some kind of impingement. Been doing it since 2008 or so, and I just deal with it. Sorry I can’t be more helpful.
That was actually VERY helpful. I didn’t wanna hurt myself but if you’re not experiencing anything besides the numbness… I won’t be afraid to ignore it.
I’ve had the tingling starting at the fingers, too. I found that even as it grew to encompass my forearm, it didn’t slow me down. So, I was not worried about it for IM or longer swims. And of all things, I’ve only experienced it in the pool, never in races.
thumb down hand entry causes an internal rotation of the shoulder which can lead to impingement…especially when you do it several thousand times a day. Since I’ve forced myself to stop doing this, my shoulders have been much happier
i hate to be a drag.
most likely an entrapped nerve, as others have suggested.
if that is the case, then chiropractic, massage, stretching, even acupuncture can all help and you are probably not doing it any harm by swimming.
however, pins and needles in your left arm concerns me enough that i suggest you go see your doc, get an ECG done at the very least and see if he/she recommends any other investigations. you want to be sure there is nothing bad happening here.
Definitely get it checked out, to rule out any neck issues. My wife was getting hand & finger numbness + tingling, 2 months later neck surgery (fusion). That was a shocker, but doing great now, no problems
