The nervous system communicates with the entire body and reacts to internal and external changes using electrical and chemical impulses to send and receive messages. Messages travel/synapse from one neuron to another using specialized chemicals known as neurotransmitters. Paresthesia refers to sensations of numbness, tingling, prickling, skin crawling, itching, or burning, usually in the arms, hands, legs, and/or feet, but can affect other areas of the body. Chiropractic care, massage therapy, decompression therapy, and functional medicine can relieve tissue and nerve compression, improve flexibility, range of motion, and mobility, and strengthen the muscles surrounding the affected nerve to maintain optimal health and prevent worsening or further injury.

Paresthesia: EP's Chiropractic Specialist Team

Paresthesia

The sensation comes on without warning and is usually painless and described as tingling or numbness. There are different causes of paresthesia, including:

  • Compressed or pinched nerve.
  • Nerve injury.
  • Nerve damage from diabetes.
  • High levels of vitamin D or other vitamins.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Infection.
  • Fibromyalgia.
  • Multiple sclerosis.
  • Stroke.
  • Tumor in the spinal cord or brain.

Some individuals have chronic or long-term paresthesia, which can be a sign of a more serious nerve injury or condition. Added physical stress can cause surrounding tissues to irritate or entangle the nerve leading to building pressure. This pressure causes paresthesia in the area interrupting circulation and function. A pinched nerve can happen anywhere in the body, like the neck, shoulder, wrist, back, and face.

  • A herniated disc in the lower spine can cause back pain and paresthesia in the leg or foot on the affected side.
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome is a pinched nerve in the wrist that causes numbness and tingling in the hand and fingers.
  • Pinched nerve symptoms can be intermittent or constant.
  • Usually, a temporary sensation is caused when pressure is placed on the affected nerve.
  • Once that pressure is relieved, the discomfort goes away.

Individuals with an Increased Risk

Overuse Injury

  • Individuals with jobs or hobbies requiring repetitive motions are at a higher risk for nerve compression, paresthesia, or injury.
  • Anyone can get a pinched nerve, and most individuals will experience paresthesia at some point.

Prolonged Lying Down

Obesity

  • Extra weight places added pressure on nerves.

Diabetes

  • Diabetes can cause nerve and tissue damage.

Pregnancy

  • Weight and water gain can cause swelling and increase pressure on nerves.

Thyroid Disease

  • This puts individuals at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Rheumatoid arthritis

  • This causes inflammation, which can also compress nerves in the joints.

Diagnosis

To diagnose paresthesis, a doctor will look at the individual’s medical history and ask questions about the symptoms. They will perform a physical examination and, depending on the findings, may recommend tests that can include:

Nerve Conduction Study

  • This measures how fast nerve impulses travel in the muscles.

Electromyography – EMG

  • To look at the electrical activity of how nerves and muscles interact.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging – MRI

  • This looks at the different areas of the body in high definition.

Ultrasound

  • Used to produce images, this can be applied to the smaller areas to look for nerve compression or damage.

Chiropractic

Treatment options depend on the cause of the paresthesia. Body misalignments can cause nerve interference that can lead to health problems such as migraines, or can disrupt nerve communication and block proper circulation. Chiropractic care focuses on treating the nervous system and is a safe and effective method for treating nerve problems that cause discomfort and sensations. After a thorough examination of problem areas, massage, decompression, and chiropractic adjustments will:

  • Realign and restore proper nerve function.
  • Restore proper blood circulation.
  • Increase the function of the body’s systems.
  • Promote optimal levels of health and wellness.

The Science of Motion


References

Bova, Joseph, and Adam Sergent. “Chiropractic management of a 24-year-old woman with idiopathic, intermittent right-sided hemiparesthesia.” Journal of chiropractic medicine vol. 13,4 (2014): 282-6. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2014.08.002

Christensen, Kim D, and Kirsten Buswell. “Chiropractic outcomes for managing radiculopathy in a hospital setting: a retrospective review of 162 patients.” Journal of chiropractic medicine vol. 7,3 (2008): 115-25. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2008.05.001

Freihofer, H P Jr. “Parästhesien” [Paresthesia]. Schweizerische Monatsschrift fur Zahnheilkunde = Revue mensuelle suisse d’odonto-stomatologie vol. 89,2 (1979): 124-5.

Karne, Sampada Swapneel, and Nilima Sudhakar Bhalerao. “Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Hypothyroidism.” Journal of Clinical and diagnostic research: JCDR vol. 10,2 (2016): OC36-8. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2016/16464.7316

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Paresthesia: EP Functional Health and Wellness Clinic" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

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Dr. Alex Jimenez
Specialties: Stopping the PAIN! We Specialize in Treating Severe Sciatica, Neck-Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sports Injuries, Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We use advanced proven therapies focused on optimal Mobility, Posture Control, Deep Health Instruction, Integrative & Functional Medicine, Functional Fitness, Chronic Degenerative Disorder Treatment Protocols, and Structural Conditioning. We also integrate Wellness Nutrition, Wellness Detoxification Protocols and Functional Medicine for chronic musculoskeletal disorders. We use effective "Patient Focused Diet Plans", Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility-Agility Training, Cross-Fit Protocols, and the Premier "PUSH Functional Fitness System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems. Ultimately, I am here to serve my patients and community as a Chiropractor passionately restoring functional life and facilitating living through increased mobility. Purpose & Passions: I am a Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in progressive cutting-edge therapies and functional rehabilitation procedures focused on clinical physiology, total health, functional strength training, functional medicine, and complete conditioning. We focus on restoring normal body functions after neck, back, spinal and soft tissue injuries. We use Specialized Chiropractic Protocols, Wellness Programs, Functional & Integrative Nutrition, Agility & Mobility Fitness Training and Cross-Fit Rehabilitation Systems for all ages. As an extension to dynamic rehabilitation, we too offer our patients, disabled veterans, athletes, young and elder a diverse portfolio of strength equipment, high-performance exercises and advanced agility treatment options. We have teamed up with the cities' premier doctors, therapist and trainers in order to provide high-level competitive athletes the options to push themselves to their highest abilities within our facilities. We've been blessed to use our methods with thousands of El Pasoans over the last 3 decades allowing us to restore our patients' health and fitness while implementing researched non-surgical methods and functional wellness programs. Our programs are natural and use the body's ability to achieve specific measured goals, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, un-wanted surgeries, or addictive drugs. We want you to live a functional life that is fulfilled with more energy, a positive attitude, better sleep, and less pain. Our goal is to ultimately empower our patients to maintain the healthiest way of living. With a bit of work, we can achieve optimal health together, no matter the age, ability or disability.