People who work jobs that involved repetitive motion day after day may tend to experience episode of tingling arms or legs. It is a situation that seems relatively harmless but if let go, can lead to some serious consequences.
What is Paresthesia?
When you experience any type of numbness or tingling, sensations often referred to as ‘pins and needles’ throughout any part of the body, it may be directly linked with your spinal nerves. The sensations of feeling as though your arm or foot has ‘fallen asleep; is medically referred to as paresthesia. Spinal nerves that are pinched or irritated in some manner may be directly related to the tingling or numb sensations you feel through other areas of your body. Generally, the sensations will be felt in specific parts of the body like the tips of fingers or your hand or foot but the nerves can also affect your whole leg or arm area. Tingling and numbness are also caused by other issues such as a misalignment of the vertebral bone, a herniated disk, or spinal stenosis, which is the narrowing of the space from where the nerve leaves the spine.
What Are the Treatment Options?
While some symptoms can be successful alleviated using anti-inflammatory medications or ice treatments, they essentially will not correct the problem. If the numbness or tingling sensations aren’t properly dealt with, the pain will continue to return and each time it will last a bit longer and hurt a bit worse. If left totally untreated, the condition can actually become permanent.
It is important that people who experience numb or tingling in arms, legs, or other areas of the body have the cause of the symptoms diagnosed as soon as possible to prevent the permanence of the condition from setting in. Dysfunction in the nerves can be corrected by correcting the spine to prevent further irritation. A chiropractor will work to restore normal positioning and motion of the spine and bones through proper manipulation. Depending on the diagnosis, different techniques will be used to relieve nerve pressure. In some cases, manipulation will be delayed and a few days of immobility of the neck and spine will be recommended.
What Causes Tingling and Numbness?
There are several issues that can cause numb or tingly sensations in the body. A major injury where the spine has been traumatized is a factor. Having a herniated disk caused by repetitive motion and heavy lifting is also a factor. Spinal degeneration is caused by aging of the spine, when the disks begin to lose water and start collapsing. The added pressure of the disks on nerves can cause numbness and tingles.
How Are Problems Diagnosed?
Licensed medical professionals will ask specific questions about your symptoms and your life style to determine what course they will take for diagnosis. They will also examine your neck and spinal column for mobility issues and pain levels. X-rays or an MRI may be used to show the actual spinal column, disks, and nerves to locate the source of the pressure or irritation. In some situations, the imaging test will not provide conclusive answers about the source of the numbness or tingling and additional testing may be necessary.
It is essential that you see a licensed health care provider for an appropriate diagnosis when your limbs or other parts of your body lose feeling without warning. Even if your lifestyle does not dictate a nerve issue, there could be many factors involved in nerve irritation. The best thing you can do is act fast as the symptoms start so you can find the treatment you need before the condition worsens.
Your Tulsa Chiropractor,
Dr. Ryan Marshall, D.C.