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What Causes Pain And Numbness After Weight Lifting?
Question: Hello . I m 52 and cycle about 130 miles a week .Love to cycle and have been doing it for three years .Two weeks ago I started lifting weights and now my neck and left arm are realy sore , slight numb in my left finger .May have problem between C6 and C7 .Gonna take it easy a few days and not lift the way I did over my head .
Brief Answer:
Might be a severe muscle spasm
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
It is possible that your pain in neck and left arm with numbness in left finger might be a result of a muscle spasm or a slight problem with one or more of the cervical discs.
In most people, the pain is a consequence of a muscle spasm. This pain starts a few days after doing unaccustomed heavy physical activity. The pain then increases over a few days. Should it be a muscle spasm then please stop lifting weights for a while and apply ointments with pain reliever and muscle relaxants. The ointment is to be applied twice a day for a week and then you should start feeling comfortable. Please avoid making sudden neck movements.
You can also try applying a heat pad of the hurting area to get relief.
If you do not feel comfortable even after a week of applying ointments and avoiding lifting weights then you can make a visit to your doctor and get a cervical spine MRI done to exclude any disc associated condition.
Please discuss your fitness schedule with a fitness expert regarding the appropriate weights you should be comfortably doing as a part of your daily workout.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Might be a severe muscle spasm
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
It is possible that your pain in neck and left arm with numbness in left finger might be a result of a muscle spasm or a slight problem with one or more of the cervical discs.
In most people, the pain is a consequence of a muscle spasm. This pain starts a few days after doing unaccustomed heavy physical activity. The pain then increases over a few days. Should it be a muscle spasm then please stop lifting weights for a while and apply ointments with pain reliever and muscle relaxants. The ointment is to be applied twice a day for a week and then you should start feeling comfortable. Please avoid making sudden neck movements.
You can also try applying a heat pad of the hurting area to get relief.
If you do not feel comfortable even after a week of applying ointments and avoiding lifting weights then you can make a visit to your doctor and get a cervical spine MRI done to exclude any disc associated condition.
Please discuss your fitness schedule with a fitness expert regarding the appropriate weights you should be comfortably doing as a part of your daily workout.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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