Numbess in left hand

Discussion in 'Injuries' started by Gary Lim, Oct 12, 2014.

  1. Gary Lim

    Gary Lim Regular Member

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    Not sure where to post this cos it's not exactly an "Injury" per se but worried if it might lead to one.

    I'm right-handed but for a few sessions now, I notice my left hand feeling slightly numb and crampy after playing 1 - 2 hours.

    Anyone able to shed some light on why this might be so, should I be worried and if so, what should I do about it?

    Thanks!
     
  2. teoky

    teoky Regular Member

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    It could be nerve compression in the neck as you have to look up at the shuttle during the session.
     
  3. pchospital

    pchospital Regular Member

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    DO u move your left hand for balancing or no?
     
  4. Gary Lim

    Gary Lim Regular Member

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    Thanks teoky and pchospital

    Interesting questions. I'm actually not sure.

    Nerve compression due to constant looking up? Hmmm, so try using eyes to glance up instead of moving the head too high up? Could try that and see how it goes - anyway yeah, maybe moving the head too high up might cause me to lose sight of the opponent.

    Using left hand for balancing? I've never really thought about this and my answer would be - I don't think so, as far as I recall. Think my left hand doesn't move much.

    Guess I'll take these 2 to the next sessions to see if there's any difference.
     
  5. pchospital

    pchospital Regular Member

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    Usually when one's playing level had reached a certain stage, our non playing hand will move for balancing.
     
  6. teoky

    teoky Regular Member

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    Actually, I am just saying that numbness could be caused by pinched nerves. It could be a medical condition rather than a flaw in your technique.

    I am no doctor or neurosurgeon so my advice is to go see a doctor. If i have learnt anything in life, it is that sudden changes in our body usually means there's some issues. It is only a matter of serious or not.
     
  7. pchospital

    pchospital Regular Member

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    What he had brought up is indeed a point to take note too.
     
  8. Cheung

    Cheung Moderator

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    Good advice from teoky.

    When you see the doctor, take a note of when it feels worse, how long does it last for, what do you do to make it better, the exact distribution over fingers and hands. Does it spread? Any shoulder or neck pain?

    Sometimes these things clear up spontaneously. Seeing a physio can be quite helpful for diagnosis and help with posture, stretching and some physio on the right areas.
     
  9. Gary Lim

    Gary Lim Regular Member

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    Thanks for all the replies guys.

    That's the thing. It seems to be only on the left-hand itself. Forearms, shoulders, neck etc are all fine. Maybe I'll video myself playing to see if I'm doing anything unconsciously with my left hand that could cause it
     
  10. aril79

    aril79 Regular Member

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    i agree with teoky, pchospital & cheung. you should see a doctor
    touchwood, but from what i know...unexplainable numbness is an early sign of diabetic or heart problem
    act now! so that you won't regret it in the future
     
  11. Gary Lim

    Gary Lim Regular Member

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    Now you're scaring me... I only get it when playing badminton and not any other times... annual health checkups have been giving me the all-clear (I'm in my 40s), even bad cholestrol levels are low...
     
  12. Cheung

    Cheung Moderator

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    Which is why seeking medical advice over the internet can be double-edged sword:)
     
  13. Gary Lim

    Gary Lim Regular Member

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    Yeah... but I do appreciate aril79's comments, knowing he's erring on the side of caution.

    Guess it's not a common occurrence amongst other players. Maybe more investigation either through video or a visit to a physiotherapist is needed.
     

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