Boca Raton Doctor at Specific Chiropractic May Help with Numbness and Tingling

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Numbness and Tingling: Causes, Medical Approach, and Chiropractic Solutions

Causes of Numbness and Tingling

Numbness and tingling are sensations that can occur in any part of the body but are most commonly felt in the hands, feet, arms, or legs. These sensations are often a sign of nerve irritation or compression. The most common causes include:

1. Nerve Compression or Irritation: Conditions such as herniated discs, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, or pinched nerves in the spine or extremities can compress nerves and lead to numbness or tingling sensations.

2. Peripheral Neuropathy: Damage to peripheral nerves, often due to diabetes (diabetic neuropathy), infections, or trauma, can cause tingling, numbness, and sometimes burning pain.

3. Poor Circulation: Insufficient blood flow to a particular area, due to conditions like peripheral artery disease (PAD) or blood vessel compression, can cause numbness.

4. Nutrient Deficiencies: A lack of essential vitamins such as B12 can lead to nerve damage and symptoms like tingling and numbness.

5. Autoimmune Disorders: Diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS) and lupus can affect nerve function and result in numbness and tingling.

6. Infections: Some infections (e.g., Lyme disease, shingles) can affect nerves and cause these sensations.

7. Toxic Exposure: Exposure to toxins, including heavy metals and certain medications, can damage nerves and lead to peripheral neuropathy.

Medical Approach to Numbness and Tingling

When patients present with numbness and tingling, the medical approach focuses on diagnosing and managing the underlying cause. This typically involves:

1. Medical History and Physical Examination: Doctors gather a comprehensive medical history and conduct physical and neurological exams to identify potential causes and affected areas.

2. Diagnostic Imaging: MRI, CT scans, or X-rays are often used to assess structural issues like herniated discs or nerve compression.

3. Nerve Conduction Studies: These tests measure how well and how quickly nerves send electrical signals, helping identify nerve damage or dysfunction.

4. Blood Tests: To check for underlying conditions such as diabetes, autoimmune disorders, or vitamin deficiencies.

5. Treatment: Depending on the cause, the medical treatment may include:

   • Medications: Anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers, or nerve pain medications (e.g., gabapentin) to manage symptoms.

   • Physical Therapy: To improve strength, flexibility, and function in affected areas.

   • Surgery: In cases of severe nerve compression, surgery may be necessary to relieve pressure on the nerves.

   • Lifestyle Changes: For issues like poor circulation or nutrient deficiencies, doctors may recommend dietary changes, supplements, or exercises to improve blood flow and nerve health.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help with Numbness and Tingling

Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive and drug-free approach to managing numbness and tingling, especially when caused by nerve compression or musculoskeletal issues. Chiropractors focus on restoring proper spinal alignment, which can alleviate pressure on the nerves and promote natural healing. Here’s how chiropractic care can help:

1. Spinal Adjustments: Chiropractors use specific techniques to adjust misaligned vertebrae, particularly in areas like the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) regions. These adjustments can relieve pressure on nerves that may be causing numbness and tingling in the extremities.

2. Improved Mobility and Function: Chiropractic care often involves exercises and therapies designed to improve mobility, reduce inflammation, and strengthen the muscles supporting the spine. These exercises can enhance nerve function and reduce symptoms.

3. Targeted Therapies: Chiropractors may also use therapies such as spinal decompression, soft tissue manipulation, and electrical stimulation to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote healing in areas affected by nerve compression.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic and Its Role

Upper cervical chiropractic is a specialized branch of chiropractic care that focuses on the alignment of the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) vertebrae, the top two vertebrae in the neck. Misalignments in this area can have a widespread impact on the nervous system due to their close relationship with the brainstem and spinal cord. This approach can be particularly beneficial for numbness and tingling by addressing the following:

1. Relieving Nerve Compression: Misalignments in the upper cervical spine can cause irritation or pressure on nerves that travel throughout the body. By precisely realigning the atlas and axis vertebrae, upper cervical chiropractors can alleviate nerve compression, which may reduce numbness and tingling sensations.

2. Improving Nervous System Communication: The brainstem, which is protected by the upper cervical vertebrae, plays a crucial role in transmitting signals from the brain to the rest of the body. A misalignment can disrupt this communication, leading to symptoms like numbness. Correcting upper cervical misalignments can restore proper nerve signaling and reduce symptoms.

3. Enhancing Blood Flow and Circulation: Proper alignment of the upper cervical spine can also improve blood flow to the brain and other parts of the body. This improvement can help alleviate numbness and tingling caused by poor circulation or nerve irritation.

4. Support for Systemic Conditions: For conditions like multiple sclerosis or diabetic neuropathy, upper cervical chiropractic care can help optimize the nervous system’s function, potentially reducing the severity and frequency of numbness and tingling symptoms.

Conclusion

Numbness and tingling can result from a wide range of causes, including nerve compression, poor circulation, and systemic conditions. The medical approach involves diagnosing the underlying issue and treating it through medication, physical therapy, or surgery. Chiropractic care, including upper cervical chiropractic, provides a holistic and non-invasive alternative. By restoring proper alignment and improving nervous system function, chiropractic care can alleviate pressure on nerves, enhance circulation, and promote natural healing, often leading to a reduction or elimination of numbness and tingling symptoms.

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According to WebMD

 

Tingling hands, feet, or both is an extremely common and bothersome symptom. Such tingling can sometimes be benign and temporary. For example, it could result from pressure on nerves when your arm is crooked under your head as you fall asleep. Or it could be from pressure on nerves when you cross your legs too long. In either case, the "pins and needles" effect -- which is usually painless -- is soon relieved by removing the pressure that caused it.

 

In many cases, however, tingling in the hands, feet, or both can be severe, episodic, or chronic. It also can accompany other symptoms. such as pain, itching, numbness, and muscle wasting. In such cases, tingling may be a sign of nerve damage, which can result from causes as varied as traumatic injuries or repetitive stress injuries, bacterial or viral infections, toxic exposures, and systemic diseases such as diabetes.

 

Our doctors in Boca Raton have great success helping people get rid of their numbness and tingling sensations. Schedule your free consultation to learn how we may help you without medications or surgery.