“Pins and Needles” May Indicate a Pinched Nerve

Do you get “pins and needles” at inexplicable times? When accompanied by painful or burning sensations, or numbness, this may indicate you have a pinched nerve.

We all know that common pins and needles sensation. It happens when you sit too long in an odd position too long or lie against your arm when sleeping. Medically, this sensation is referred to as paresthesia, and it’s usually not something to be alarmed about. Nerve pathways travel from the brain, through the spinal cord, and out to every part of the body. When a nerve or bundle of nerves is compressed, it doesn’t function properly and you may lose sensation in an area of the body. Once the compression has stopped, you feel that curious paresthesia feeling as the nerves “wake up” and restore proper function. However, when paresthesia occurs unexpectedly or randomly in the course of what should be normal sensations—that can be cause for alarm.

Do you get pins and needles and inexplicable numbness? You may have a pinched nerve that could escalate to potentially painful nerve pain symptoms. For treatment for a pinched nerve, Roanoke TX, contact Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture online or call (817) 767-5430.

What Causes Pinched Nerves?

A pinched nerve occurs when surrounding tissues apply too much pressure to a nerve pathway. This can be caused by bone or cartilage, such as in the case of a herniated disc in the spine, or it may be caused by tendons and muscles, such as with carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrist. Pinched nerves belong to a class of nerve conditions referred to as peripheral neuropathy.

Symptoms of a pinched nerve may include:

• Paresthesia
• Sharp, burning, or radiating pain
• Numbness
• Muscle weakness

There are several known conditions that can contribute to the potential for developing a pinched nerve:

• Degenerative or rheumatoid arthritis
• Prior injury
• Sports, hobbies, or work that relies on repeated movements
• Being overweight

If a nerve is pinched for only a short time, it may resolve itself naturally and not be an issue. However, if it happens repeatedly, there’s a chance it may lead to worsening pain and an inability to maintain your natural range of movement.

Risk Factors

Oddly enough, women tend to suffer from pinched nerves more so than men—especially carpal tunnel syndrome. Pinched nerves can start in pregnancy when weight is gained and more stress is put onto the joints and the spine. Any type of medical problem that keeps you lying down for a long period of time can also increase the risk of nerve compression.

There are few medical conditions that increase your risk of pinched nerve, as well. For both men and women, (1) diabetes, (2) thyroid conditions, (3) bone spurs, and (4) obesity can all put you at greater risk of developing a pinched nerve.

How a Chiropractor Can Help

The spine is the basis for all movement in the body. If poor alignment of the spine is behind your nerve compression, chiropractic adjustments may help realign your musculoskeletal system for normal healthy function. If your compressed nerve is caused by an injury, arthritis, or repetitive movements, Dr. Doyle may suggest improving function using premodulated muscle stimulation (strategic electrical stimulation), ultrasound, physical therapy exercises, or acupuncture. Since there are many nerves in the body that can become compressed, and many causes behind it, treatments will vary based on the best functional solution for your symptoms.

Call our office at (817) 767-5430 to make an appointment for a consultation for a potentially pinched nerve, Roanoke TX, and Dr. Cody Doyle will assess your symptoms.