Pins and Needles, or Paresthesia as it is correctly named, is a strange sensation of tingling or prickling which is most commonly felt in the hands and feet.
We’ve all experienced it at least once, where a body part has ‘fallen asleep’ after we’ve unknowingly had too much pressure on it and caused the blood supply to be reduced to that area. For the most part this is a common occurrence and should not be the cause for alarm. However, if pins and needles is a recurring event for you, it could be an indication of something more serious!
In some cases, pins and needles result due to nerve damage or disorders of the central nervous system (your brain and spinal cord). Generally speaking, our nerves are responsible for every movement we make. Throughout the spinal chord we have a number of nerves, each with its own responsibility for a certain muscle. When one of these nerves becomes pinched, it obstructs the communication that the brain has with that muscle, which in turn causes a change in the neurological pathway to that area. Even only a small amount of pressure being applied can cause pins and needles to occur.
Depending on the level of nerve compression, symptoms may range from tingling, to complete numbness as well as muscular weakness. Either end of the spectrum it is very important that you seek the attention of a health professional immediately. It is important that you have yourself assessed to determine what is causing the pinching of the nerve. Some common conditions that involve a pinched nerve are:
- Bulging discs
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Scoliosis
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Bad posture
- Arthritis
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
Here at Back to Basics Chiropractic we treat many patients who experience varying levels of pins and needles. Many of whom suffer from any one of the above mentioned conditions. We have a range of treatment options available and can’t stress enough how important it is to seek treatment for recurring pins and needles. For an appointment call and speak to one of our highly trained staff today Kogarah 9588 7000 or Parramatta 9687 6003 or Book Online Today.
