I just started going to the gym on Friday. I only do the treadmill right now. I'm trying to let my body get used to exercising again. The problem is my fingers become swollen about 10 or 15 minutes into my 1 hour workout. The swelling goes down about 30 minutes after I'm done. Does anyone know why this happens? Also, I've been having horrible sciatic pain. It started when I was pregnant with my son. It's been 2 years now and I'm still having pain. If I lose weight will the pain go away?
Sciatic pain can be quickly alleviated with gentle but firm massage therapy from a licensed, certified practitioner who has a specialty certification in pre/postnatal massage therapy. You're going to find instant relief when the glute muscles are massaged and loosen fascial constriction on the nerve.
S. L., LCMT, CPMT
I am sure that the sciatic nerve pain will go away with weightloss.
Heres a little something about the hand/finger swelling during exercise. Doesn't look like a huge concern.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hand-swelling/AN01403
I also got horrible sciatic pain while pregnant. I found that going to the Chiropractor was the only thing that helped. Before that I was afraid of chiropractors- and by month 9 he was my best friend! I would count down days until my appointment. I got adjusted once a week and symptoms generally started in again after 5-6 days. It's definitely worth a try! Strengthening your core muscles will also help!
I have sciatic problems too, especially when I workout. It does get better the more I workout. The key for me anyway is ab workout. If you strengthen your ab core, than you put less stress on the back which means less stress on the nerve. For the hand swelling, do you keep your hands down by your side? I know when I do they start to swell, but the swelling is less if I keep them up like I'm running.
Congratulations on getting fit!
Definitely see a chiropractor. It's likely that your insurance cover it. Explain the pain. Chiropractors are worth their weight in gold. They figure out the source of the pain and deal with a real cure, not just pain management.
Go for vigorous walks with the stroller. Your hand will be raised on the stroller handlebars, and you and your 2-year old will benefit from the fresh air.
Hi M.,
I had the very same thing happen to me when walking. My trainer told me to 1) drink a lot of water throughout the day, everyday, and that should help 2) when walking, about every 10 minutes, I raise my arms up so that my hands are above my heart (or in close to) and swing my arms so that it is almost like I am touching/swinging my elbows at shoulder height for about 3 minutes. This helps tremendously and also gives you a good cardio workout.
Good for you for getting into the gym! Keep up the good work!
C.
Pilates and Yoga has helped me tremendously when having sciatica issues. The swelling of hands often indicates dehydration. The standard formula for adequate hydration is body weight divided by 2 = minimum ounces of water per day, sweating causes the body to need more than the minimum requirement.
Try drinking water with a little bit of lemon in it. I think it helps wash stuff out the system.
I had really bad problems with sciatic nerve, especially during my pregnancies. After having 2 babies I started exercising and now weigh 10 lbs less than before I got pregnant. Losing weight did not help the sciatic nerve. I went to a chiropractor and now I am pain free.
Good luck!
Ask a chiropractor about the sciatic pain, if it's a disc problem losing weight will help but not get rid of it. And i'd say drink more water before, during, and after workouts, may help the swelling. If the sciatic pain is worse after working out I'd try different shoes and having a trainer observe your positioning while working out!
Can't help on the sciatic pain - I had it too with my 2nd but it went away after I had my baby. On the swolen fingers, I get this too on the treadmill and I think it's due to swinging your arms and the blood going down to your fingers. I just pick my hands up over my head for a couple of minutes every once in a while and that seems to work. Good luck!
I had the same problem's with sciatic pain! I found an awsome product that help with inflammation and it fight's off free radicals! I have been taking it for the past 2 years and I am pain free and have not had any allergies or cold's! I do not take any OTC med's or RX drug's! i do not want the side effect's of those thing's! Dr.'s are even selling this to their patient's. Have you heard of OPC-3? I eat low glycemic to keep the weight off! This has worked better for me than anything else out there. I tried Weight Watcher's and that was only temporary!
Let me know what you think or if you have anymore questions.
Take care,
L. A. A.
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Hi,
Is the swelling just in your fingers or does it happen in other extremities as well (e.g. feet?). If swelling happens everywhere, it may be worth letting your doctor know. If just in your hands, do you keep your hands above your heart while exercising (like at a 90 degree angle) or let them drop straight down. Keeping your hands elevated above your heart and moving your fingers around should help with swelling. Also, make sure you're doing a good cool down and stretch afterward your treadmill time. Thirty minutes sounds like a long time to be swollen after exercise. While stretching, try to find ways to keep your hands elevated (stretch while lying on your back and pulling your legs towards you so your hands are high).
As for sciatic pain, losing weight can help, but also stretching your IT-band and doing other stretches for your hips, hamstrings, and quads might really help. Do you belong to a gym and use a treadmill there? Maybe ask a personal trainer to see if they can show you various stretches for these muscles?
Hope you stick with the program. Dealing with pain and swelling makes exercise hard, but I think it will pay off! Good luck and kudos for you for getting back in shape. Not only for yourself, but to also be a good role model for your son! Also, do talk with your doctor about your current situation, your goals, and what you've done so far to meet them and the obstacles you've faced. Every person is different so general advice may not necessarily apply to your personal situation. Again, good luck and good for you! Take care.
Getting your core into shape should help with sciatica. While you're at the gym look into back extension exercises - very carefully to start. Also focus on abs, and stretches for your hamstrings and hips.
I HIGHLY recommend Physician's Neck and Back Clinics (pnbconline.com) for back trouble. I had sciatica so badly I couldn't walk and had already had one surgery. They fixed me in a few weeks without the need for a second surgery. Definitely worth a try.
