Tingling in the arms or hands can be quite bothersome. It often starts as a mild prickling sensation that gradually turns into weakness or numbness. Everyday tasks like typing, holding a pen, utensils, or a phone become difficult. You might also struggle with activities requiring good hand control, such as cooking or driving. Not being able to perform these simple tasks can lead to frustration, anxiety, or worry. You want to get rid of it as quickly as possible! In this blog, we’ll explain why you experience tingling in your hands or arms, the role of the nervous system, and what you can do to alleviate the symptoms.
The Functioning of the Nervous System
The nervous system plays a crucial role in experiencing tingling. Here’s a simple explanation for this complex system: Nerves function as the body’s communication systems. They send signals from the brain to various parts of the body, including the hands and arms. When a nerve is pinched, irritated, or damaged, it can lead to tingling because the normal signal transmission is disrupted. Understanding the underlying cause of the tingling helps in making the right diagnosis and choosing an effective treatment.
A ‘sleeping’ arm or hand – for instance, if you’ve laid your arm under your head while sleeping – is a temporary disruption of blood flow or nerve signals. We’ve all experienced this at some point, and it quickly resolves once you change positions. The symptoms are nearly the same, but the cause is easily remedied.
Causes of Tingling in Hands or Arms
Tingling in your hands or arms can have various causes. Here are the most common ones:
- Nerve Compression
When nerves in the neck, shoulders, elbows, or wrists are pinched due to injury, inflammation, or overuse, it can lead to tingling and numbness in the hands or arms. This often happens with repetitive movements or poor posture, both forms of body overload. - Hernia
Experiencing tingling or pain in your arms or hands doesn’t necessarily mean the cause lies there. A good example is a hernia. A hernia occurs when part of a disc bulges and puts pressure on the nerve roots exiting the spinal cord. This can happen in the neck (cervical hernia) or lower back (lumbar hernia). The pressure on these nerve roots can cause tingling, numbness, weakness, and pain along the nerve pathways to the arms or hands. Thus, tingling in the arms and/or hands can be caused by a hernia in the neck or back, even if pain in that specific area is not directly felt. - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This is a common condition where the median nerve in the wrist is compressed due to swelling of a narrow canal in the wrist, known as the carpal tunnel. This canal contains tendons and blood vessels in addition to the nerve. When the nerve is pinched due to inflammation or overuse, it can cause tingling, numbness, and pain in the hand and fingers. These symptoms often occur at night and can extend to the thumb, index, and middle fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome usually arises from repeated hand movements, pregnancy, rheumatic conditions, or other health problems causing swelling in the carpal tunnel.
Prevention to Avoid Tingling
Prevention is better than cure. At Avant Garde Chiropractic, we believe that with prevention and self-care, you can go a long way in preventing or reducing tingling in the arms or hands. A visit to the chiropractor is always a good idea; think of it as a regular health check. We are happy to help you achieve better health and a pain-free life, but there is also much you can do yourself. Here are some useful tips and advice to get you started:
- Ergonomics Ensure a good ergonomic setup at your workplace and home. This means adjusting your desk, chair, and computer so that your hands and wrists remain in a neutral position while typing or working. Use ergonomic keyboards and mice if possible.
- Taking Breaks Take regular breaks during activities involving repetitive hand movements, such as typing, cutting, painting, or gardening. Stretching and relaxing can help relieve the muscles and nerves in your hands. If you sit a lot, stand up regularly and walk around, for example, to get a drink.
- Exercises Regularly do specific exercises to keep your muscles strong and flexible. If you often have back pain, train your core so your back muscles don’t have to work as hard. In addition to targeted exercises, it’s also good to be active for at least 30 minutes a day. This doesn’t have to be very intense; a half-hour walk each day can work wonders for your overall health.
- Posture Pay attention to your posture, not just at work, but also during daily activities such as reading, cooking, or exercising. Avoid prolonged static positions and ensure variety and rest.
- Healthy Lifestyle A healthy lifestyle often helps reduce tingling. Eat healthily, reduce stress, and avoid smoking, as it affects circulation and increases the chance of tingling.
Chiropractic Care for Tingling Hands or Arms
Chiropractic care focuses primarily on improving the health of the nervous system. Through specific adjustments and gentle techniques, chiropractic not only helps relieve tingling and other symptoms but also promotes overall health and well-being. This holistic approach improves health by addressing the underlying causes of symptoms rather than just treating the symptoms themselves. The result? Better communication between the brain and the body, supporting the natural healing process and promoting overall vitality. This makes chiropractic a good choice if youare looking for a natural and safe treatment method. At Avant Garde Chiropractic, you are in good hands with our experienced chiropractors.
Want to know more about how chiropractic can help with tingling or other symptoms/complaints? Contact us for a first consultation or more information. Make an appointment directly; no referral from a doctor is needed.