Body numbness and tingling can indicate various issues, from allergic reactions to sitting too long to multiple sclerosis. To discover the source of this numbing sensation, you should seek prompt medical attention. If the physician identifies the numbness and tingling as symptoms of a nerve, muscular, or joint injury, you may benefit from chiropractic care and physical therapy.
A licensed chiropractor can assess your condition and curate a personalized treatment plan that targets the source of your pain. Call Specific Care Chiropractic at (239) 369-9109 to learn more.
Types of Injuries That Manifest Through Numbness and Tingling
Feelings of numbness and tingling can occur virtually anywhere in the body. However, patients usually experience these sensations in the arms, legs, fingers, hands, and feet. If you suffer from these symptoms, you may have one of the following conditions:
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Your carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway that runs about an inch through the wrist. Its “job” is to deliver sensation to the palm of the hand and the fingers (except the pinky) as well as motor function at the base of the thumb.
According to Mayo Clinic, whenever there is pressure on the median nerve, you can feel tingling, numbness, and weakness in the hand, arms, and fingers. Some even describe the sensation as “an electric shock.” This condition is carpal tunnel syndrome.
Obesity, arthritis, diabetes, and repetitive motions can cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
Sciatica
Per Cleveland Clinic, 40% of Americans suffer from sciatica at some point in their lives. Sciatica is nerve pain that occurs from an injury to the sciatic nerve. It runs from the hips and down to the toes. People may experience this condition differently: a tingling pins-and-needles sensation, muscle weakness, or a sharp jolt of pain down the leg. Coughing, sneezing, and other sudden movements can aggravate the pain.
Lower back injuries, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and having a physically demanding job are all risk factors for this injury.
Herniated Discs
Herniated discs occur when the jelly-like center of the disc protrudes through its outer ring. John Hopkins Medicine affirms that people usually suffer herniated discs in the lumbar spine, or the lower back, rather than the cervical spine (neck) or the middle back. On top of numbness and tingling, signs you may have a herniated disc include:
- Muscle spasms
- Muscle weakness
- Poor reflexes
- Sciatica
- Poor bladder or bowel control
Similar to the aforementioned injuries, being overweight and “throwing out” your back can increase your likelihood of sustaining a herniated disc.
Whiplash
Mayo Clinic defines whiplash as the neck forcefully and quickly snapping back and forth, like the crack of a whip. Rear-end collisions are the leading cause of whiplash, yet the injury can also result from sports injuries and physical assault.
Common symptoms of whiplash are:
- Numbness or tingling in the arms
- Neck stiffness
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Loss of range of motion
Whiplash can usually heal on its own after a few weeks, but more severe cases may call for serious medical intervention.
These Methods Can Treat Injuries That Cause Numbness and Tingling in the Body
Our physicians can conduct a full examination and get all the details regarding your numbness and tingling. We may even have you undergo x-rays or other imaging scans if we believe we need more information about your condition.
Depending on what we discover, we can build a treatment plan that incorporates physical therapy, chiropractic care, or a combination of both. Whatever we choose, we will ensure it reflects your recovery objectives and addresses your specific needs.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Your chiropractor will use their hands or a specialized tool to manipulate your spine back into alignment. They may use one or more of the following techniques:
- Lumbar side posture adjustments
- Seated diversified adjustments
- Diversified adjustments
- Knee-chest adjustments
- Thompson Drop-Table technique
- Toggle recoil
- The sacral-occipital technique
- The activator method
- Manual extremities
Spinal manipulation seeks to take the pressure off your discs, nerves, and joints – ultimately relieving your pain and discomfort.
Physical Therapy
After we get your spine back into proper alignment, we can start to build your muscle mass, enhance your flexibility, and strive to prevent reinjury. Our doctors may start introducing physical therapy techniques, such as:
- Strength training and stretching
- Rehabilitation
- Corrective care
- Ultrasound therapy
- Massage therapy
- Electrical stimulation (E-STIM) therapy
Undergoing these treatments in conjunction with chiropractic adjustments can help you feel like yourself again – perhaps even better than ever.
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How to Prevent Injuries That Cause Numbness and Tingling
Sometimes, injuries are unavoidable. However, there are some things you can do to maintain a healthy spine and reduce your chances of suffering an injury that causes numbness and tingling. These considerations include:
- Keeping a healthy weight: Exercise regularly–– even if it’s just a 30-minute walk every day. Movement keeps your heart and joints healthy and strong. It’s also important to monitor your caloric intake. Having more weight on your body than you should can compress your spine and joints.
- Having good posture: If you work a desk job or drive a lot, keep your back straight and shoulders back. Try to avoid crossing your legs, as that can lead to numbness and tingling and shift your spine.
- Bending properly. If you have to do any heavy lifting, bend at the knees to pick up the items. Otherwise, you could end up putting too much stress on your back and injure yourself.
- Driving safely: Car accidents are one of the most common causes of injuries, with side effects like tingling and numbness. You cannot control what other people do on the road, but you can control what you do. Follow all the road rules and adjust your driving in accordance with the given conditions.
Learn What Your Numbness and Tingling Mean With Our Practice
If you were injured and suffer from numbness and tingling, Specific Care Chiropractic is here to support you. Call today at 239-369-9109. You can schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience.
