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Numbness & Tingling

What is Numbness and Tingling?

Numbness and tingling (paresthesia) is a prickling sensation that can happen in any part of your body, but is common in the hands, feet, arms, and legs. There are many things that can cause numbness and tingling, including sitting in one position for an extended length of time or sleeping on your arm. If numbness and tingling occurs with no obvious reason, there could be an underlying disease or injury.

Chiropractic treatment

Many conditions that can be treated with Chiropractic care have the symptom of numbness and tingling. This includes injured nerve in your neck, herniated disk in your spine and general pressure on your nerves. Depending on your specific condition, our Chiropractor can create a customised treatment plan to help relieve your symptoms. However, a thorough evaluation will need to be performed if the underlying cause of the numbness and tingling is unknown. That way we’re sure that Chiropractic care is right to treat the condition. 

Causes and risk factors

As mentioned, there can be many things that cause numbness and tingling.

Obvious causes of numbness and tingling that are not considered serious:

  • Lack of movement for a long time
  • Sitting with your legs crossed
  • Falling asleep on your arm

Other causes of numbness and tingling:

  • Insect or animal bites
  • Radiation therapy
  • Abnormal levels of vitamin B12 or other vitamins
  • Seafood toxins
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Poor blood supply
  • Injured nerve in your neck
  • Herniated disk in your spine
  • Pressure on your nerves
  • Diabetes
  • Migraine headache
  • Shingles
  • Inflammation of the spinal cord
  • Inflammation of the brain
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Underactive thyroid
  • Seizures
  • Hardening of the arteries
  • A stroke or mini-stroke

Most numbness and tingling  is caused by a herniated disk. A dermatome is an area of skin supplied by sensory neurons that come from a spinal nerve. This means that sensations you're experiencing in your arms and legs may be coming from a nerve root compression.

 dermatomes arms and legs
Dermatomes of the Upper and Lower Limbs (Modified, after Keegan, J. J., and Garrett, F. D.)

Long-term effects

The long-term effects of numbness and tingling depend on your underlying condition. If there is an obvious cause for the numbness and tingling, and if it resolves quickly, then there is likely no long-term effect.

When to seek medical care

Everyone experiences numbness and tingling on occasion. It should be resolved within minutes. If this is not the case, and there is no obvious cause, then it is wise to seek medical attention. If you have numbness or tingling with any of the symptoms below, you should seek urgent care:

  • Have suffered a recent back, neck, or head injury
  • Unable to walk or move
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Confusion or trouble thinking
  • Slurred speech
  • Visual disturbances
  • Lost bowel or bladder control
  • Weakness
  • Severe pain
  • Rash
  • Dizziness
  • Muscle spasms
  • Frequent urination


Contact Us for Your Consultation

If you think Chiropractic treatment can help, contact us to schedule a consultation at our Singapore Clinic. The consultation includes:

  • X-ray review and measurement
  • Lifestyle and activity assessment
  • Doctor examination
  • Clinic session 
  • Spinal adjustment
  • At-home care recommendations

If new X-Rays need to be taken, they can be done the same day (at an additional cost) as your appointment. Our doctor will also show you some results from previous patients so you can feel confident in the Chiropractic treatment we provide.​

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We promise to never hard-sell you, because we believe that our patients must be as committed to their treatment as our team is to their care.