TINGLING IN ARMS AND HANDS

PARESTHESIAS

Tingling in arms and hands, as a general rule of thumb! sorry to be puny, is not something for which your doctor or chiropractor are likely to recommend you rush off and make a consultation. Having said that, an unknown symptom never experienced before needs to be taken more seriously.

However, neurological symptoms like tingling need to be attended to with greater concern. The neurological system is the most sensitive structure in the body, and early warnings are best heeded sooner rather than later.

The situation needs also be assessed wisely. If you are healthy, and you wake up tingling in your arm, I suggest you ignore it! But if you have a known heart condition, and the tingling is in your left arm, then obviously you shouldn't ignore it.

Likewise, if you have a TIA before, or have high blood pressure or diabetes, then tingling should be considered in a most serious light.

For you, on a chiropractic website, more important is that should you have had pain in your neck (or back, for that matter) for several days and now tingling in your arm or leg begins, then it is of the utmost importance that you immediately consult your chiropractor.

One common cause of tingling in the arm is a subluxated first rib. The condition is called a thoracic outlet syndrome in which the artery and nerve may be pinched in the neck. The tingling is usually of a diffuse nature, rather than to one particular part of the arm, which is called a dermatomal pattern.

A dermatomal pattern occurs when a nerve root is irritated in the neck, giving far more specific tingling (or pain) in the arm. For example,

C5 dermatome

In the C5 dermatome the tingling is felt on the side of the upper arm, and perhaps the side of the lower arm. Sometimes you may have tingling in arms and hands. If it affects the motor nerve, then you will be prone to tennis elbow, and weak Biceps and Deltoid muscles.

In the early stages of an irritated nerve in the neck, the skin becomes hyper-sensitive (more sensitive, if you rub your arm, or try pricking it with a pin), but later it will become numb.

We have started a monthly Better Health email letter. Monthly so you don't suffer from information overload.

Should you wish to receive it, please fill in the Enter your E-mail Address at the left side of this page. It's free.

Clicking on the orange XML/RSS will enable you to get our blog every time a new page is added.

New research has demonstrated that the cartilage in the small joints in the neck are dependent on movement for the their nutrition. Fixations within these joints starve the cartilage of oxygen and nutrients, and cause the build up of noxious waste products. These may irritate the nerve, causing tingling in the arm.

Arthritic changes within the foramen where the nerve emerges is another cause of tingling and pain in the arm. It could also be caused by a slipped disc.

C6 dermatome

Classically the tingling in arms and hands will reach into the thumb and forefinger.

C7 and C8 dermatomes

The C7 and C8 nerves emerge from the lower neck, and will cause tingling in the middle finger (C7) and the ring and little finger (C8).

The most common muscle affected in a neck condition is the triceps, an elbow extensor, usually when the C7 nerve is severely irritated. Doing press-ups will be difficult - that arm will tire very quickly.

Tingling in arms and hands is not the only sensation that may be caused. You may also have numbness, weakness and pain in the arm. The pain is of a deep aching nature, and can be very severe, and is often worst at night.

Placing your arm on your head, the so-called shoulder abduction relief sign, or making a windmill motion with your arm may relieve the tingling in arms and hands.

For more information about the anatomy of the neck, or the affect of neck pain and tingling in the arm on society, click on these links. If you are eager to know about chiropractic treatment of tingling in arms and hands, click here.

Joint fixations in the neck

Stiff joints in the neck are probably the most common cause of tingling in the arms and hands. These are the result of an injury (for example a whiplash) or an improper movement or position. We are often consulted my people with neck pain after sleeping in the upright position for example, or having a child sitting astride the neck. For more about joint fixations, or subluxations as we chiropractors call them, click here.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

is another fairly common cause of tingling in the arms and hands. It usually starts in the thumb, index and middle finger, but may extend into the arm, and then the other arm. For more about CTS, click here.

Tingling in the legs and feet

Of course the general principles of the arms apply also to the legs. Irritated nerves in the lumbar spine by a slipped lumbar disc would have a similar effect. Tingling and pain, and possibly weakness in the legs and feet.

The most common sciatica refers to the outside of the foot and the small toe. If there is weakness you will have difficulty standing on one foot and raising your heel from the ground.

In my opinion, anyone with a sciatica should be doing some gentle lumbar exercises. At CHIROPRACTIC TIPS you will find some suggestions on a few conservative exercises for your back. For more information, click here.

Not uncommon is tingling that refers down the leg to the great toe. You might enjoy a fine story written by chiropractic author Bernard Preston, in his book Frog in my Throat called The Big Toe

Another not uncommon sciatica may cause tingling on the front part of the thigh, and inner lower leg. It can make the large thigh muscle, the quadriceps, weak and waste. The knee tends to buckle on the stairs, for example.

To go from TINGLING IN ARMS AND HANDS to PAIN CONDITIONS

The Piriformis syndrome

A large muscle in the buttock can pinch the sciatic nerve causing tingling (and pain) in the buttock and leg. Another less common cause of tingling on the side of the thigh is the so-called Meralgia Paresthetica which is caused by a pinched nerve in the groin.

Multiple Sclerosis or better known perhaps as MS.

Finally, we should add that any disease that affects the central nervous system can cause tingling in the arms and hands, and the legs for that matter. For example, alcoholism poisons the nervous system, mainly by causing a deficiency of vitamin B12 (also cause Pernicious Anemia). Diabetes, tumours, stroke, TIAs and diabetes can affect the nervous system causing tingling in the arms and hands and legs.

A fairly rare disease called Multiple Sclerosis can cause tingling in the extremities. For more information about Multiple Sclerosis follow this link.

There are many neurological conditions that cause tingling in the arms and hands and feet and face. For much more interesting and informative pages, click here.

footer for tingling in arms and hands page