Pitching hand swelling?

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Nov 29, 2009
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There is a way for you to experience what your DD's pitching arm is going through. Stand up and do a windmill motion with your arm as fast as you can for 5-6 revolutions. You'll feel a tingle in tips of your fingers from the blood being forced there through centrifugal force. You heart can not overcome the force and the blood stays in the hand. Once you stop the heart removes the excessive blood. Your DD is doing way more than that each game. So long as the swelling goes down and she feels no numbness or pain she should be good to go. If the condition persists for a long time after she's done pitching then have her checked out.
 
Oct 4, 2016
176
18
There is a way for you to experience what your DD's pitching arm is going through. Stand up and do a windmill motion with your arm as fast as you can for 5-6 revolutions. You'll feel a tingle in tips of your fingers from the blood being forced there through centrifugal force. You heart can not overcome the force and the blood stays in the hand. Once you stop the heart removes the excessive blood. Your DD is doing way more than that each game. So long as the swelling goes down and she feels no numbness or pain she should be good to go. If the condition persists for a long time after she's done pitching then have her checked out.

Thanks Sparky. The reason I even brought it up here is because her PC - who pitched at the highest level and has coached numerous pitchers including her daughter who is killing it here in FL - was surprised by it. I will add that my daughter said that the color turns red after a while but we're going to keep an eye on it nonetheless. If it persists and if she notices some pain I will take action. In the meantime, we're going to take more time in between pitches during practices. She went pretty hard on Saturday in the driveway and only showed minimal swelling and no pain.
 
Oct 16, 2014
333
0
so, my DD **SOMETIMES** says her pitching hand gets a little swollen, and "itchy", after she's been throwing really really hard. it happens rarely, like maybe once a month if that.And I kind of know the feeling she describes because I get that if Ive gone jogging or power walking in the heat, my hands get a little puffy and it's just from increased circulation and goes away quickly.

with that being said, when I read your post title I immediately thought of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

Now that does not mean thats what your DD has, its just if you google "pitching hand swelling" that comes up a lot. DD's pitching coach even had a student that had TOS. She would pitch and her whole arm would turn red and swell. She ended up having a rib removed and is now oK.

Do you have access to a sports PT or a chiropractor that specializes in sports recovery? DD's chiro works with pro athletes and is well versed in sports recovery/sports medicine. I had mentioned to him about her hand swelling occasionally and he has tests that he performed on her right there in the office (a bunch of postural exercises, holding her hands above her head etc, and a physical exam) and he was able to tell us pretty definitely that she does not have TOS. He also gives her a series of stretches and exercises for her neck, and shoulders and upper back to keep everything moving easily and to relieve any building tension.
 

javasource

6-4-3 = 2
May 6, 2013
1,347
48
Western NY
My DD has this, too. Couple of things...

1) the pecs get too tight, the rhomboids too loose. As such, the circulation through the arm gets restricted (like TOS).
2) Neuro symptoms should be a red flag... any sensory disruption/change is worth getting looked at.

Having said this... padded sleeves are a no-brainer. Bort makes a nice sleeve called the Kubital. Wear a team color compression sleeve over it.

Lastly... this condition... any condition... should have some sort of preventative/rehabilative routine associated with it. As the cause is usually circulation THROUGH the chest, lengthening stretches of the chest (not that stupid all too common posterior stretch)... should be a part of your regular routine. In addition, shortening of the rhomboids like band scap routines NEED to be a regular part of a routine.
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
Just so it's clear, my above thanks is in no way related to JS getting his 4000th "Thanks." It really is a good post!

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Oct 4, 2016
176
18
My DD has this, too. Couple of things...


Lastly... this condition... any condition... should have some sort of preventative/rehabilative routine associated with it. As the cause is usually circulation THROUGH the chest, lengthening stretches of the chest (not that stupid all too common posterior stretch)... should be a part of your regular routine. In addition, shortening of the rhomboids like band scap routines NEED to be a regular part of a routine.

Can you please point me to proper stretches? She's kicking butt on the field and she's loving it so I want to help her be able to play healthily for as long as she wants. Thanks!
 

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