Nerve Injury

Understanding Arm Numbness and Tingling

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Can determining whether arm numbness occurs suddenly or gradually and whether there are other symptoms help healthcare providers diagnose and treat the condition?

Arm Numbness

Arm numbness or tingling are common symptoms that various medical conditions can cause. Numbness can be caused by a sudden health emergency, nerve disorder, or nutritional deficiency. (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2024) Sometimes, this symptom results from an arm falling asleep and could resolve after just a few minutes. The sensation may be temporary, caused by something like sleeping in the wrong position. However, arm numbness and tingling may also be caused by neuropathy and chronic and progressive nerve damage and can also suddenly occur due to serious conditions, such as a heart attack or a stroke.

Circulation Issues

Deficient blood circulation in the arm could cause numbness and tingling as the nerves cannot receive enough oxygen. Conditions can interfere with normal blood flow and include: (Bryan L. and Singh A. 2024)

  • Atherosclerosis – plaque buildup in the arteries that may require medication or surgery.
  • Severe frostbite can damage the blood vessels but can be resolved with proper warming and wound care.
  • Vasculitis – is inflammation of the blood vessels that can be treated with medication.

Sleeping Position

A common example of sudden numbness and tingling is the feeling that the arm has fallen asleep. This usually occurs after sleeping awkwardly or leaning on the arm for a long time. Known as paresthesia, this sensation is related to the compression or irritation of nerves. (Bryan L. and Singh A. 2024) Sleeping in certain positions has been associated with nerve compression, especially when the hands or wrists are tucked or curled under the body, as well as maintaining proper spine alignment when sleeping, is the best way to prevent arm numbness.

Nerve Injuries and Conditions

Numbness that persists may be related to an injury or underlying health problem that affects the brachial plexus, a group of nerves that runs from the lower neck to the upper shoulders and controls movement and sensation in the arms. (Mount Sinai, 2022) Possible injuries that affect these nerves include: (Smith, S. M. et al., 2021)

  • A herniated disc caused by aging or trauma causes the disc to leak out and press on the nerve root.
  • Burner or stinger injuries that affect the neck and shoulders.
  • Backpacker’s palsy is caused by pressure on the shoulders.
  • Birth injuries such as Erb-Duchenne’s palsy and Klumpke’s palsy.
  • Traumatic nerve root avulsion injury in which spinal nerves are damaged.

Diseases and disorders that can cause numbness in the arms include conditions that affect the nervous system, like multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, Raynaud phenomenon, and shingles. (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2023) (Smith, S. M. et al., 2021)

Numbness and Serious Health Conditions

Stroke

  • This is a medical emergency in which a blockage prevents blood from getting to the brain.
  • One sign of a stroke is a tingling sensation on one side of the body.
  • Individuals may also be unable to move one or more limbs. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024)
  • Seek emergency medical care.

Heart Disease

  • When the heart is damaged, blood cannot circulate and can lead to a minor or major heart attack.
  • Signs of a heart attack include numbness in one or both arms, and it is not always the left arm. (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2022)
  • Pressure pain in the chest and shortness of breath are other signs that require immediate medical attention.

Spinal Osteoarthritis

Cancer

  • Neoplasm tumors can affect the brachial plexus nerves, causing loss of feeling in the arms.
  • Breast and lung cancers are the most likely. (Smith, S. M. et al., 2021)

Diabetes

  • Loss of feeling in the arms can be a sign of peripheral neuropathy, which can be caused by uncontrolled diabetes. (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2024)
  • Treatment requires managing blood sugar and oral and topical medications.

Medication Numbness

The relationship between arm numbness and medication usage can be complex. (Senderovich H. and Jeyapragasan G. 2018)

  • Many medications, like gabapentin, can be used to alleviate the sensations of arm numbness.
  • Some medications can cause numbness as a side effect.
  • Some medications can cause complications, and arm numbness could be a symptom of those complications.

Inform healthcare providers about medications being taken to determine the relationship between them and any sensory changes.

Vitamin Deficiency

Peripheral neuropathy can also be caused by nutritional deficiencies and vitamin imbalances, which can damage nerves and cause sensation loss in the left or right arm. The most common sources are vitamin B12 deficiency and excess vitamin B6. (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2024) Excessive alcohol consumption and other disorders that affect nutritional intake can also lead to nerve damage.

Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic

At Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic, our areas of practice include Chronic Pain, Personal Injury, Auto Accident Care, Work Injuries, Back Injury, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Migraine Headaches, Sports Injuries, Severe Sciatica, Scoliosis, Complex Herniated Discs, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Complex Injuries, Stress Management, Wellness & Nutrition, Functional Medicine Treatments, and in-scope care protocols. We focus on what works for you to relieve pain and restore function. If other treatment is needed, individuals will be referred to a clinic or physician best suited to their injury, condition, and/or ailment.


Chiropractic Care: The Natural Way to Recover From Injuries


References

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2024). Paresthesia. Retrieved from www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/glossary-neurological-terms#paresthesia

Bryan, L., Singh, A. Sleep Foundation. (2024). Numbness in Hands While Sleeping: Causes and Remedies. www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/numbness-in-hands-while-sleeping

Mount Sinai. (2022). Brachial plexopathy. www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/brachial-plexopathy

Smith, S. M., McMullen, C. W., & Herring, S. A. (2021). Differential Diagnosis for the Painful Tingling Arm. Current sports medicine reports, 20(9), 462–469. doi.org/10.1249/JSR.0000000000000877

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2023). Vasculitis. Retrieved from www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/vasculitis/symptoms#:~:text=Nerve%20problems%2C%20including%20numbness%2C%20tingling,can%20also%20occur%20with%20vasculitis.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Stroke signs and symptoms. Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs-symptoms/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs_symptoms.htm

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2022). What Is a Heart Attack? Retrieved from www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart-attack

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. (2023). Spinal Stenosis Basics. Retrieved from www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/spinal-stenosis/basics/symptoms-causes

Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2024). Peripheral Neuropathy. www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/peripheral-neuropathy

Senderovich, H., & Jeyapragasan, G. (2018). Is there a role for combined use of gabapentin and pregabalin in pain control? Too good to be true?. Current medical research and opinion, 34(4), 677–682. doi.org/10.1080/03007995.2017.1391756

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2024). Peripheral Neuropathy. Retrieved from www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/peripheral-neuropathy

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The information herein on "Understanding Arm Numbness and Tingling" 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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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.

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