I got a bone contusion the other day on my hand; right in the upper part of my palm. I was shaking it for several minutes after the injury occurred. I then thought it strange that people seem to shake their hand vigorously after a similar injury. It's not like we shake our legs if we bump THAT, or our heads!
Why do we do that?
cutechick2007
Favorite Answer
This helps distort the pain sensation. There are a different kinds of pain receptors, and one of them can be distored by touch, like rubbing it or shaking it.
smile4763
When we shake or rub then we confuse the pain receptors. They don't have long enough to send a coherent message to the brain. Basically it hurts less; we learn this as kids.
wildbill05733
By shaking your hand vigorously you are helping in the release of more endorphines, which is the body's morphine.
megalomaniac
I don't know. I don't do that. Why do you do it?
Sorry, I don't buy the endorphin argument. Shaking your hand just aggravates the injury. I think its mostly just panic.
Curious Stranger
yeaa iknow what umean probly cus it like tickles or u feela tingling feeling and u want it to go away