What Causes Numbness and Tingling?
There are several potential reasons for numbness, tingling, and pain. These causes may include:
- Subluxations: When vertebrae are not in correct alignment, they pinch nerves. This can cause numbness and tingling. Subluxations occur following injury, poor posture, and physical conditioning or working at an un-ergonomic workstation.
- Bulging Discs or Herniated Discs: When the gel that cushions the vertebrae squeezes out of place it can put pressure on nerves that lead to numbness, tingling, or pain.
- Sciatica: Is a condition caused by nerve impingement or injury in the lower back which is characterized by symptoms including pain, numbness and tingling shooting down from the lower back and into one or both legs and feet.
- Nerves impingement in the upper back or neck: Carpal tunnel syndrome and other issues affecting the arms involve both a pinched nerve in the arm or wrist as well as nerves pinched in the neck.
How is This Different Than Pins and Needles?
We have all experienced an arm going to sleep or the sensation of 'pins and needles'. When this occurs temporarily it is due to a minor block to either circulation or a nerve impingement that is released when you change position. However, when this occurs due to the serious blockage of a sensory nerve, the impingement must be treated or removed with chiropractic care because it leads to a decrease in input from the blocked nerve to the brain. When the impingement is removed normal sensation will return.
How Does Chiropractic Care Address Numbness and Tingling?
No matter which of these conditions is causing your discomfort, Dr. Wruck can successfully provide relief by realigning the spine to release pinched nerves. Chiropractic care is extremely effective, particularly when combined with other therapies such as spinal decompression, massage therapy, and physiotherapy. Dr. Wruck begins by determining the cause of your numbness and tingling by obtaining an accurate medical history and by performing a physical exam. This may also include orthopedic and neurologic testing. Further evaluations may be needed to determine the cause or extent of your condition. Once the cause of the tingling sensation is identified, a chiropractic care plan is tailored for you, to eliminate irritation and restore proper function of the nerves.