Numbness and Tingling

We’ve all been there.  We’ve been sitting for too long, we wake up in the wrong position, or we stand up from our desk, and there’s a creeping numbness or tingling in our body.  It may not be painful, but trying to do our daily routine with numb, uncomfortable limbs can still be a trial.

What causes these symptoms?  Oftentimes, numbness comes from nerve impingement, or pressure on the nerve.  Some people describe it as feeling like tingling, like lightning, or even as a burning sensation.  The reason there is a difference of sensations is the interpretation of pain and the severity of the impingement or damage to the nerves.  The numbness can also occur after a traumatic event to the affected area or a cut to the peripheral nerve.  What is known as the peripheral nervous system (or PNS) is impaired and begins to send abnormal signals to the brain.  This leads to pain or numbness and tingling in our extremities.

Examples and location:  Impingement of the nerves can cause numbness and tingling down the back of the leg, and even weakness, which can make simple things like trying to go down stairs difficult.  Elbow impingement can occur when we’re trying to lock out our elbow, such as during exercise.

Common problems occur because of rounded shoulders, stemming from the bad posture commonly found in offices.  This protraction, bringing the body forward, causes the humerus to rotate in and put pressure on the bundle of nerves in the shoulder joint region.  This can cause a host of problems, including numb fingers and numbness in the arm.  When there is impingement at our pelvis and femoral head, we can have pain and numbness in our leg.

Ways to find relief:  Relief from tingling and numbness is largely positional.  Standing, stretching, and getting our body back into proper alignment can offer much relief and remove pressure from any impinged nerves.  Gentle stretching exercises can do much to alleviate the pressure being put on the nerves because of improper positioning.  Also, simply moving and changing positions can realign our body and offer considerable relief.  If you notice numbness and tingling at certain times — for example, in the morning after a night’s sleep — you are likely in need of a different sleeping position.

Any potential fixes for tingling and numbness depends on the location of it in the body.  Shoulder impingement often requires ‘distraction,’ or gently separating joint surfaces.  This can be done by pulling the humerus away from the clavicle and scapula.  Cervical (neck) impingement can be helped by traction, either manual or mechanical, to remove pressure from the spine.  This will relieve any pressure on impinged nerves and alleviate the symptoms.

So wherever and whenever you are experiencing these symptoms, know that you can gain quick relief by utilizing the tips above.  But without a long term of your health and well-being, symptoms such as tingling and numbness can reappear again and again.  For advanced treatment options and a routine that will keep your body flexible and pain-free, contact the numbness and tingling doctor Rockville MD today.

Furthermore, if you think your injuries are a result of negligent work environment, or the negligence of another, you may be entitled to compensation.  For more information, contact a skilled attorney today.

Thanks to our friends and contributors from Advanced Spine & Wellness Center for their insight into numbness and tingling symptoms.