I am left handed; I've restarted kayak paddling after 15 years of doing very
little exercise, except carrying (too) heavy bags at work, shopping baskets
when I should have used a trolley etc. which sometimes left me with left
sided shoulder pain.

When I paddle at a reasonably fast pace - which isn't all that fast - my
left pinky and ring finger go numb very quickly and my hand feels cold and
my left shoulder, tense and painful.

At first I blamed my old paddle, it has nearly 90 deg feather angle so my
left control hand does a lot of flexing as well as pulling etc., so I
thought maybe I'll get a cranked shaft paddle with less feather and see if
that helps.

However in the meantime I've been exercising on a Concept 2 rowing machine a
lot and guess what, numbness in left hand kicks in a bit as well, even
without major wrist action except pulling that handle ...

- Anyone kayakers out there who've had similar experiences, and preferably,
tales of successful recovery?

I googgled a bit and found all sorts of stuff, rotator cuff problems,
ulnaris nerve compression near elbow, problems with spine of the neck ...

What sort of professionsl will be able to narrow it down, preferably without
breaking the bank?

Ben wrote:
I am left handed; I've restarted kayak paddling after 15 years of doing very
little exercise, except carrying (too) heavy bags at work, shopping baskets
when I should have used a trolley etc. which sometimes left me with left
sided shoulder pain.

When I paddle at a reasonably fast pace - which isn't all that fast - my
left pinky and ring finger go numb very quickly and my hand feels cold and
my left shoulder, tense and painful.

At first I blamed my old paddle, it has nearly 90 deg feather angle so my
left control hand does a lot of flexing as well as pulling etc., so I
thought maybe I'll get a cranked shaft paddle with less feather and see if
that helps.

However in the meantime I've been exercising on a Concept 2 rowing machine a
lot and guess what, numbness in left hand kicks in a bit as well, even
without major wrist action except pulling that handle ...

- Anyone kayakers out there who've had similar experiences, and preferably,
tales of successful recovery?

I googgled a bit and found all sorts of stuff, rotator cuff problems,
ulnaris nerve compression near elbow, problems with spine of the neck ...

What sort of professionsl will be able to narrow it down, preferably without
breaking the bank?


Try some anti-inflamatory meds BEFORE paddle. I have the beginnings of
some problems in my wrists. When I paddle long distance I get the same
problem and I tracked it to some swelling in my wrist. A few Ibprofen
before a long paddle and the problem does not occur. I fellow paddler is
using a wrist brace (tennis I think) for just about the same thing. Also
pay attention to keep your grip loose and use gloves. I use padded bike
gloves in the summer that have mesh on the back.

I suspect you may also have some shoulder issues happening also. The
cheap route to try before a big investment in doctors would be to see a
therapest to see if you are getting full range of motion. The therapest
can give you some stretches and exercises if you are having a mobility
problem.

Also someone on here a while back said that a Greenland style paddle
helped for their trouble.

On 24-May-2005, "Ben" wrote:

When I paddle at a reasonably fast pace - which isn't all that fast - my
left pinky and ring finger go numb very quickly and my hand feels cold and
my left shoulder, tense and painful.

The only thing that comes immediately to mind - are you gripping the paddle
tightly? Most beginners do. You should have a relaxed grip - open the
"pushing" hand. The shoulder "tense" feeling suggests you might be tightening
up - keep loose and paddle easy.

Numbness can be caused by circulation problems. Look for something that
is restricting flow to your arm and hand.

Mike

You might also be concerned about heart as the symptoms you describe
COULD be signs of a heart attack.