Why Do My Hands Go Numb While Mountain Biking?

Mountain biking is an exciting and demanding outdoor sport, but it can also put too much pressure on your hands and cause numbness. There are a variety of reasons why this can occur, ranging from mechanical issues with your bike to medical conditions related to nerves and blood vessels.

It is important to understand the causes behind hand numbness when mountain biking so that you can make changes and adjustments to prevent it from occurring.

Mechanical Issues

One of the most common causes of hand numbness during mountain biking is due to mechanical issues with your bike. An improper fit of the handlebars or grips can put too much pressure on your hands and wrists, which can lead to numbness in the fingers.

Additionally, if you are using a suspension system that is not adjusted correctly, it can put too much stress on your hands as they absorb the shock of the terrain. Make sure you have the right size bike frame and components, get a proper fitting for your handlebars and grips, and adjust the suspension system properly to reduce any potential stress on your hands.

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions may also be responsible for causing hand numbness while mountain biking. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition where the median nerve gets compressed in the wrist area due to swelling in surrounding tissues.

This can lead to tingling or numbness in fingers as well as pain in wrists or hands. Poor circulation due to diabetes, Raynaud’s disease, or peripheral artery disease can also cause numbness in fingers while mountain biking as well as other activities.

Conclusion:

Understanding why your hands go numb while mountain biking is key to preventing this issue from occurring. Mechanical problems with your bike such as an improper fit or incorrect suspension setup could be causing too much pressure and stress on your hands while riding.

Additionally, medical conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome or poor circulation may be responsible for causing hand numbness during mountain biking activities. Taking steps such as getting a proper fitting for your handlebars/grips and adjusting the suspension setup accordingly should help reduce any potential stress on your hands while riding; additionally consulting with a physician if necessary may help address any underlying medical conditions that could be causing hand numbness during mountain biking activities.

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Samantha Mckinney