How to Deal with Numbness and Tingling: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

Numbness and tingling are sensations that can be quite alarming when they first occur. Many people don’t know what to do when they experience these strange feelings, which is why it’s important to understand the causes, treatment, and prevention of numbness and tingling. In this blog post, we will discuss the various causes of numbness and tingling, as well as the chiropractic care that can help alleviate these symptoms.

Is Numbness and Tingling Serious?

The most frightening or alarming symptoms often have the simplest causes. Most people associate the terms numbness and tingling with very serious health problems like a stroke or heart attack. However, nerve compression and injury are far more likely to be behind symptoms that come on slowly or repeat randomly for weeks and months on end. If you are concerned that you are dealing with neuropathy or other common nerve issues, come in for an appointment at our Brookfield office to determine the cause as quickly as possible.

Our team still includes a medical doctor in case your problem is related to heart disease or diabetes instead.

What is Numbness & Tingling?

The twin symptoms of numbness and tingling are collectively known as paresthesia. This term includes other sensations like pins and needles, tickling, itching, or even burning. The loss of sensation in a limb or a large portion of the body can make it hard to stick with your daily routine. Everyone experiences these symptoms on a temporary basis when a limb falls asleep due to an awkward position. However, chronic numbness or tingling that returns regularly could indicate a condition that needs attention.

Causes

There are many potential causes of numbness and tingling. Some are relatively benign, while others could be indicative of a serious health problem. Let’s take a look at some of the more common causes:

• Musculoskeletal problems: Herniated discs, pinched nerves, and other spinal misalignments can all place pressure on the nerves. This can lead to numbness, tingling, or pain that radiates down an arm or leg.Autoimmune diseases: Conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation that puts pressure on the nerves.
• Infections: Viruses like shingles can cause inflammation of the nerves.
• Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage the nerves over time.Multiple sclerosis: This degenerative disease attacks the protective coating around the nerves, leading to numbness and tingling.
• Trauma: A blow to the head or neck can damage the nerves and lead to paresthesia.

Who’s At Risk?

There are many risk factors that make some people more likely to experience numbness and tingling. Some of these include:

• Family history: If you have a family member who has experienced numbness and tingling, you may be more likely to experience it yourself.
• Age: Older adults are more likely to suffer from conditions that cause nerve damage.
• Diabetes: This condition can cause nerve damage over time.
• Autoimmune diseases: Conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can lead to inflammation that puts pressure on the nerves.
• Injuries: A blow to the head or neck can damage the nerves and lead to paresthesia.

Tingling in the Legs: Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a condition that causes an irresistible urge to move the legs. This is often accompanied by a tingling or crawling sensation in the legs. RLS can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. The condition is more common in women than men and usually begins in adulthood.

Despite the name, RLS doesn’t always affect the legs alone. The same sensations can occur in the arms, hands, and legs. Look for symptoms like:

• Discomfort in the limbs in the form of tingling, burning, cramping, or itchy
• Insect-like crawling sensations
• The feeling of tension or the need to move
• Constant waking in the night due to leg sensations or the need to get up
• Inability to sit, stand still, or lie down for more than half and hour at a time
• Relief in leg sensations when swinging the limbs, flexing the muscles, or pacing around the room

Treatment

The best way to treat numbness and tingling is to address the underlying cause. For example, if your symptoms are caused by a herniated disc, chiropractic care can help to realign the spine and take pressure off of the nerve. Other treatment methods could include: 

• Massage therapy to restore sensation to the area
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation that can calm the affected nerves
• Gentle supplements and creams to treat the symptoms at the surface level
• Exercise and dietary advice to help you improve your general fitness
• Advanced Nerve Testing (NCV/EMG)
• Peripheral neuropathy treatment

Prevention

There are some things you can do to help prevent numbness and tingling, such as:

• Maintaining good posture
• Using proper ergonomics when working
• Avoiding crossing your legs for long periods of time
• Stretching regularly
• Exercising to improve blood circulation
• Wearing supportive shoes

Get Help with Advanced Chiropractic & Rehab

If you find it hard to sleep because of burning or tingling feet, let the Advanced Chiropractic & Rehab team in Brookfield help you enjoy a restful night again. We provide both immediate and long term solutions for pain that don’t involve medication or surgery. To learn more, schedule a consultation with us today!

Numbness and tingling are sensations that can be quite alarming when they first occur. Many people don’t know what to do when they experience these strange feelings, which is why it’s important to understand the causes, treatment, and prevention of numbness and tingling. In this blog post, we will discuss the various causes of numbness and tingling, as well as the chiropractic care that can help alleviate these symptoms.

Is Numbness and Tingling Serious?

The most frightening or alarming symptoms often have the simplest causes. Most people associate the terms numbness and tingling with very serious health problems like a stroke or heart attack. However, nerve compression and injury are far more likely to be behind symptoms that come on slowly or repeat randomly for weeks and months on end. If you are concerned that you are dealing with neuropathy or other common nerve issues, come in for an appointment at our Brookfield office to determine the cause as quickly as possible.

Our team still includes a medical doctor in case your problem is related to heart disease or diabetes instead.

What is Numbness & Tingling?

The twin symptoms of numbness and tingling are collectively known as paresthesia. This term includes other sensations like pins and needles, tickling, itching, or even burning. The loss of sensation in a limb or a large portion of the body can make it hard to stick with your daily routine. Everyone experiences these symptoms on a temporary basis when a limb falls asleep due to an awkward position. However, chronic numbness or tingling that returns regularly could indicate a condition that needs attention.

Causes

There are many potential causes of numbness and tingling. Some are relatively benign, while others could be indicative of a serious health problem. Let’s take a look at some of the more common causes:

• Musculoskeletal problems: Herniated discs, pinched nerves, and other spinal misalignments can all place pressure on the nerves. This can lead to numbness, tingling, or pain that radiates down an arm or leg.Autoimmune diseases: Conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation that puts pressure on the nerves.
• Infections: Viruses like shingles can cause inflammation of the nerves.
• Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage the nerves over time.Multiple sclerosis: This degenerative disease attacks the protective coating around the nerves, leading to numbness and tingling.
• Trauma: A blow to the head or neck can damage the nerves and lead to paresthesia.

Who’s At Risk?

There are many risk factors that make some people more likely to experience numbness and tingling. Some of these include:

• Family history: If you have a family member who has experienced numbness and tingling, you may be more likely to experience it yourself.
• Age: Older adults are more likely to suffer from conditions that cause nerve damage.
• Diabetes: This condition can cause nerve damage over time.
• Autoimmune diseases: Conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can lead to inflammation that puts pressure on the nerves.
• Injuries: A blow to the head or neck can damage the nerves and lead to paresthesia.

Tingling in the Legs: Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a condition that causes an irresistible urge to move the legs. This is often accompanied by a tingling or crawling sensation in the legs. RLS can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. The condition is more common in women than men and usually begins in adulthood.

Despite the name, RLS doesn’t always affect the legs alone. The same sensations can occur in the arms, hands, and legs. Look for symptoms like:

• Discomfort in the limbs in the form of tingling, burning, cramping, or itchy
• Insect-like crawling sensations
• The feeling of tension or the need to move
• Constant waking in the night due to leg sensations or the need to get up
• Inability to sit, stand still, or lie down for more than half and hour at a time
• Relief in leg sensations when swinging the limbs, flexing the muscles, or pacing around the room

Treatment

The best way to treat numbness and tingling is to address the underlying cause. For example, if your symptoms are caused by a herniated disc, chiropractic care can help to realign the spine and take pressure off of the nerve. Other treatment methods could include: 

• Massage therapy to restore sensation to the area
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation that can calm the affected nerves
• Gentle supplements and creams to treat the symptoms at the surface level
• Exercise and dietary advice to help you improve your general fitness
• Advanced Nerve Testing (NCV/EMG)
• Peripheral neuropathy treatment

Prevention

There are some things you can do to help prevent numbness and tingling, such as:

• Maintaining good posture
• Using proper ergonomics when working
• Avoiding crossing your legs for long periods of time
• Stretching regularly
• Exercising to improve blood circulation
• Wearing supportive shoes

Get Help with Advanced Chiropractic & Rehab

If you find it hard to sleep because of burning or tingling feet, let the Advanced Chiropractic & Rehab team in Brookfield help you enjoy a restful night again. We provide both immediate and long term solutions for pain that don’t involve medication or surgery. To learn more, schedule a consultation with us today!