Tingling?

Uh-Oh, Numbness or Tingling in Your Hands or Feet?

Although alarming, numbness or tingling in your hands or feet is really no different than pain. It’s your body’s way of letting you know something needs to be changed because currently, there’s a situation that is not allowing proper blood flow or nerve transmission.

Let’s get a couple of serious issues out of the way first. If you are diabetic, numbness or tingling in your hands and especially your feet should be evaluated. If your Oak Lawn, IL chiropractor rules out any musculoskeletal issue that is causing the numbness or tingling, you will be properly referred to a physician. Many diabetics suffer from poor circulation in the extremities, and this can lead to infection and loss of a limb if not treated properly. There are also other cardiovascular issues that can lead to tingling and numbness in the hands and feet.

However, most of the time, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet is quite simple. You may need to change your shoes to a more supportive pair or perhaps a new pair if yours are worn. If you use a computer a lot, you may need to switch your keyboard. Your hands should “float” as you type and your forearms should be parallel to the floor. Poor ergonomics is the cause behind many chronic musculoskeletal problems.

There are many causes of tingling or numbness in the hands or feet. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common cause of tingling or numbness in the hands. Other causes are tennis or golfer’s elbow as well as shoulder problems such as bursitis. Chronic neck pain or whiplash can lead to tingling or numbness in the hands.

Tingling or numbness in the lower extremities can be caused by sciatica stemming from chronic back problems. The sciatic nerve may be compressed and this can lead to shooting pain down one or both legs as well as muscle weakness, numbness and tingling that may extend all the way to the feet. Spinal misalignment and subsequent gait abnormalities may also be the culprit behind numbness or tingling in the feet.

Your Oak Lawn, IL chiropractor can evaluate your tingling or numbness symptoms and develop a customized treatment plan designed to address the inflammation and resulting nerve or blood vessel compression that is causing your symptoms.

Call us today for more information on available treatments for musculoskeletal conditions as well as overall wellness!