Poor circulation in the hands can cause numbness, tingling, coldness, and pain. Causes include peripheral artery disease, carpal tunnel syndrome, and Raynaud’s disease. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol, and caffeine consumption can also contribute. Treatments include posture improvement, stretching, massage, and chiropractic adjustments.
The most common symptoms of poor circulation in the hands are numbness; a tingling and stinging sensation; and frequent cold. Some individuals with the condition may also have a blue or red tinge to their skin. Poor circulation can also cause mild to severe pain, fatigue, and hand cramps. Some common causes are peripheral artery disease, carpal tunnel syndrome, and Raynaud’s disease.
Peripheral artery disease tends to affect mainly the legs, but it can affect circulation in the hands. It is caused by atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of fatty material in the artery walls, a condition that can lead to almost total blockage of an artery. That blockage is peripheral artery disease, also known as PAD. Both of these conditions contribute to poor circulation by impeding or blocking blood flow to the extremities. Symptoms affecting the hands include numbness, tingling, cramping and weakness.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is another common cause of poor circulation in the hands. The condition is caused by pressure on the tendons or median nerve in the carpal tunnel, which is a passageway through the wrist. Carpal tunnel inflammation can prevent blood flow to the hands. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include gradually increasing burning, tingling, itching, and numbness in your palms.
Raynaud’s disease is a condition in which arteries temporarily narrow, causing discomfort and disability in affected areas of the body due to poor circulation. Since the disease commonly affects the fingers, it can contribute to poor circulation in the hands. It manifests itself in attacks that can be brought on by stress and extreme cold. Symptoms may include discoloration, tingling, pain, numbness, and tenderness in the fingers.
There are many other possible causes of poor hand circulation. Habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can affect the flow of oxygen to the extremities, resulting in cold hands with a blue tinge. Large amounts of caffeine can also impede blood flow. Heart, lung, and kidney disease can restrict circulation in your hands.
In addition to specific treatments for the conditions most commonly associated with poor circulation in the hands, there are several other ways to treat the symptoms. Good posture and regular, gentle stretching can improve blood flow to the hands. Massage with diluted essential oils such as lavender, eucalyptus and rosemary can also be helpful. In some cases, chiropractic adjustments can also improve blood circulation.
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