Poor Blood Circulation | FerrariChat

Poor Blood Circulation

Discussion in 'Health & Fitness' started by amenasce, Feb 7, 2012.

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  1. amenasce

    amenasce Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Oct 17, 2001
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    Joe Mansion
    I had posted about my back and neck pains that were very severe and had gotten very bad about 4 months ago. I hired a personal trainer and started running more frequently and was getting in much better shape. But then last week my back and neck started to hurt again. I couldnt do anything and after 3 days, i was exhausted due to no sleep and not being able to seat or lay down comfortably. I was also feeling weak and my arms were numb as if i had just lifted weight (which i hadnt for 10 days). I decided to try alternative medecine and help.

    First i went to an acupuncturist in Chicago who gave me a Gua Sha massage, which is basically scarpping my back and neck with a tool until it bruises to release the toxines. After 5 seconds of this, my back was dark blue but it did feel much better, i felt less tense.
    I also went to see a herb specialist (Who is a Dr) and he gave me 2 different pills to take to help my blood circulation which he said was poor due do my love of Chocolate which was slowing down the circulation and causing the pain and the numbness in my arms. I had to take the first pills for the neck and back pain for 3 consecutive days and then the pills to help the circulation for the following 3 days (It ended today). I also started eating a lot of oranges which have a lot of bioflavonoids to help the circulation and drink a lot more water. I am feeling MUCH better. I know it is not over and i will need to reduce the amount of chocolate i eat which will be hard.

    I was very surprised that with all the exercise i do, i could still have poor circulation. I go to the gym at least 3 times a week for 90-120mns and i have a trainer once a week. I run or swim, lift weights and go to the steam room. I am not overweight (5.10 for 180 lbs), i am 32 years old..so all i can think of is that i DO really eat a lot of chocolate. The rest of my diet is good (fish, apples, Papaya, turkey, vegetables). I rarely eat bread. I havent been to Mcdonalds in over a year. Last pizza i ordered was 4 months ago.

    Anyway...i just wanted to share this as it is opening my eyes and i wanted to get feedback as i am really surprised by this. I thought i was in good health...
     
  2. Under PSI

    Under PSI F1 Rookie

    May 13, 2005
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    Jim
    Your circulation is likely normal. Stop listening to quacks. Lack of circulation causes pain, not numbness and tingling.
     
  3. djs308

    djs308 Formula 3
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    Sep 2, 2002
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    Andrew,

    Do you find your symptoms get worse with exposure to heat and/or intense exercise?

    P.S. Your PM box appears to be full
     
  4. drjohngober

    drjohngober Formula 3

    Jul 23, 2006
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    Dr.John Gober
    Have you tried leeches? Maybe some voodoo chants while shaking some chicken bones over over your back might work.
    Seriously, you need to see an orthopedist with a specialty in sports medicine.
     
  5. PT 328

    PT 328 F1 Rookie
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    May 1, 2005
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    There are a few different causes for arm numbness/tingling.

    1) herniated cervical disc

    2) peripheral nerve entrapment

    3) circulatory problems (thoracic outlet syndrome)

    If I were you I would get checked out by an MD who may order appropriate diagnostic tests to find the root cause of your symptoms.

    My first guess given your post/symptoms would be a cervical disc herniation.
     
  6. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 31, 2006
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    Wade O.
    If anyone tells you to stop eating chocolate then, by all means, get a second opinion... or a third.
     
  7. ProRallyCodriver

    ProRallyCodriver Formula 3

    Oct 25, 2005
    1,250
    Alexandria, VA
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    Dave Shindle
    I suspected I had poor circulation due to vein compromise (blew out veins with blunt force trauma to leg) and it seemed to worsen in recent years. Hard to rest because feeling of ache like your blood is not moving. Complained to doctor who simply tested my pulse in my feet and strong pulse there ruled out worsening circulation. Next, they cat-scanned my spine and nerve along it however all were in order despite years of car crashes and rallycar jumping. Final diagnosis - restless leg syndrome. Yes, I felt it in my arms also.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restless_legs_syndrome

    It really does feel like poor circulation but it just your nerves feeling that sensation. You move and it goes away temporarily and you begin to think that moving helped your blood flow and cause the ache to go away. As your body gets more stressed, it becomes worse. Mine was way worse when I had an infection. If you were losing sleep because of a non-related pulled back muscle or pinched nerve in your back just from having weak back muscles, these symptoms would also get worse.

    1. Check pulse and blood pressure in each arm and leg. If all good,
    2. Check spine and nerve by catscan. If all good,
    3. Try a dose of the medication for restless leg syndrome and see if it helps.

    4. Get a T.E.N.S. Unit prescribed to you to buy and use at home on your back.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcutaneous_electrical_nerve_stimulation

    5. Sleep like a baby.
     
  8. Zack

    Zack Formula 3

    Dec 18, 2003
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    Those doctors are quacks! I can't believe you actually took them seriously, Andrew. You have a slipped disc, most likely. Get it checked out.

    And the reason the scraping made you feel better is that it forced you to tense your muscles, which you can only do for a limited time. After that, they relax (myofascial release) no matter what. This relaxation makes you feel better.
     
  9. climb

    climb F1 Rookie

    Sep 19, 2006
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    Stuart K. Hicks
    Amen
     
  10. Frips_Girl

    Frips_Girl Formula Junior

    Nov 29, 2007
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    Annetta
    Best to see another doctor. You sound like an active person, but refrain from hurting yourself any more and see someone else.

    Try a natural doctor if you can. Most doctors just try to write prescriptions and pump you full of drugs as a solution. Get a reference for a natural doctor from someone you trust if you can. You may be given another way of fixing your issue.
     
  11. Bundy

    Bundy Formula 3

    May 18, 2011
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    Anir
    Tread carefully, Annetta. You are getting some seriously whacky advice. I agree wholeheartedly that pills are not the correct solution to every problem, but neither is quackery and incorrect diagnoses.
     
  12. slm

    slm F1 Rookie
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    Dec 5, 2004
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    Whole heartedly agree. You need to see a doctor.

    I am a CV surgeon, so this is what I do for a living. Send me a pm, I will be happy to talk.
     
  13. powerpig

    powerpig F1 World Champ
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    Oct 12, 2008
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    I have PAD disease and have had two surgeries for it. I'm in decent shape, but smoke, which is a contributing factor. It's also hereditary. Wouldn't hurt to get checked for it. Only takes about an hour and is painless.
     
  14. Frips_Girl

    Frips_Girl Formula Junior

    Nov 29, 2007
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    Annetta
    I agree but disagree. There are some good people out there that know how the body operates and can help you along without prescriptions, which is always why I always recommend going to someone that is recommended to you. I've talked to some of these natural people and agree, they can be a bit crazy, which is why I go elsewhere, but if I know someone that is being treated by someone natural and they are doing well and are happy... then I'd give that person a chance.

    When I was in India, I spoke with an ayervedic doctor and it's not by chance that this man was able to already tell me any ailments that I currently had without me filling him in. It can happen :)
     
  15. vrsurgeon

    vrsurgeon F1 World Champ
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    Dec 13, 2009
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    Andrew, it's probably disc related. See an orthopaedic spine specialist... or rather.. why haven't you yet? :) It's probably that the disc inflammation went down (all conjecture by itself of course) or the pills had a natural steriod in them that brought it down. Physical therapy will likely help considerably and knowing WHAT is going on. PM me or others and we can give some referrals if you'd like.

    Anette, I once knew a FedEx delivery driver that knew exactly where I lived without me telling him. ;-) I'm not trying to be mean, I've met a few Naturopaths and Alternative Medicine folks that were very nice people. But it's where you go when all the modern technology doesn't work anymore. All the alternative medicine didn't help Steve Jobs, had he taken the tumor out in the first place he might be here today.
     
  16. Frips_Girl

    Frips_Girl Formula Junior

    Nov 29, 2007
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    Not mean at all. Just another way of looking at it.

    I always prefer to try a proper doctor first when and where possible and I can only speak from personal experience when I severely injured my back and couldn't walk for a year. With the back problem came everything associated with it... I tried the best doctors in the city and they performed the latest modern technologies, shots, etc, on me, but none of it worked and it cost me tons of money. What did work was a natural way of easing the pain. So when I see or hear of someone in pain, I try to help with my personal story, always saying to try a proper doctor first and then perhaps look at other ways of healing, depending on the ailment of course. What they do after is up to them. I try to not be short sighted when it comes to things like this, and keep an open mind because you never know :)

    Further to that, it was actually my personal physician that nudged me towards the natural way of doing things, as his wife is a naturopath and he understands that other ways of healing are in this world. It is the reason I absolutely respect him as a doctor.
     
  17. F1Ace

    F1Ace F1 Rookie

    Mar 15, 2004
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    Wes
    As others have said, it could be something else.
    What is your blood pressure like, normal?

    Wes
     
  18. MaxPower

    MaxPower Two Time F1 World Champ

    Mar 28, 2006
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    andrew,

    try swimming ... religiously do the breast stroke for 30 mins every day & u shd find a huge difference quite quickly ...

    i have suffered from spondylosis since '84 and a slipped/herniated disc since '88 ... i was bed ridden for 3 months after my slipped disc ...

    swimming was the only thing that put me back on my feet. i went on to resume squash and going to the gym.

    hope this helps.
     
  19. Zack

    Zack Formula 3

    Dec 18, 2003
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    maxHP,
    I am suffering from herniated discs...and martial arts body slams and throws don't help! Are your symptoms gone completely? May I ask how old you are? I am 43, and just feel so slow ever since I tore my left piriformis, then my gluteus medius, then my iliopsoas, then got the herniated discs. One thing after the next gave out in that kinetic chain and now I feel "broken" all the time, and have to soak in the jacuzzi every night to be able to sleep. It sucks, I used to run very fast, and I was in great shape. I have gained 20 lbs and really slowed down in the last year.

    Wondering if swimming will help me. I suspect it will, it's just a matter of finding the time and being disciplined about it.

    Sorry about the thread hijack...but it seems as if Andrew isn't coming back to this anyway.
     
  20. MaxPower

    MaxPower Two Time F1 World Champ

    Mar 28, 2006
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    i'm 55 now and pain free completely.

    did karate (1st dan black belt) in the 70's but out of practice for the last 15 years or so.

    currently, i'm in the gym 3 times a week for 1 hr cardio, then 1 hr weights + 1 hr cardio.

    oh, and had an open chest 3x bypass just abt 5 yrs ago.

    never felt better.

    :)
     
  21. Zack

    Zack Formula 3

    Dec 18, 2003
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    maybe i should go in for that open chest bypass too!!!

    congrats, that's awesome! i tried arnica for the first time last night, and my back feels better today. i have a big martial arts test this weekend. i plan to do serious rehab after that.
     
  22. MaxPower

    MaxPower Two Time F1 World Champ

    Mar 28, 2006
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    hahaha ...
     
  23. 3604u

    3604u F1 Veteran
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    Sep 27, 2004
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    MP,
    I always though you were 21 :)
     
  24. MaxPower

    MaxPower Two Time F1 World Champ

    Mar 28, 2006
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    shhhhhh ...

    :D
     

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