Are you worried about tingling in your hands or feet? Or is it more like numbness in your hands and feet? Are you worried that it could be nerve damage?
A tingling sensation in hands or feet is an extremely common symptom that is often nothing to be concerned about. One common, benign cause of this tingling sensation occurs when you sit or sleep in an unusual position; that may put pressure on a nerve and cause a tingling sensation in the feet or hands. However, if your feet or hands tingle often, this may be the result of an underlying condition. Some causes of tingling in feet or hands are more serious and may require proper diagnosis and treatment.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that leads to tingling and numbness in the hands and feet.[1] According to the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy, it affects 40 million people nationwide. It is the most common complication of diabetes.[2]
Your peripheral nervous system sends information from your brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) to the rest of your body. Peripheral neuropathy can result from traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems, inherited causes and exposure to toxins. One of the most common causes is diabetes mellitus. About 60% to 70% of all people with diabetes will eventually develop peripheral neuropathy.[3]
Yet this nerve damage is not inevitable for diabetics. There are treatments that can help slow the progression of this condition and limit the damage. While chiropractic care may not be a cure, it can offer several benefits to treat the disorder by managing pain and even addressing the underlying causes.[4] At Divine Spine, we use a computerized treatment system, which may offer relief through electronic vertebral alignment. This can relieve pressure caused by compressed or damaged nerves.
Neuropathy can result from any type of pain that compresses or impinges on a nerve. A herniated disc, for example, could press against a nearby nerve, causing pain. Chiropractic care can be utilized to remove the nerve interference and alleviate pain. It’s important to consult a trained professional when symptoms occur so that a treatment plan can be customized to your specific experience.
What are some symptoms of nerve damage?
Symptoms of nerve damage may manifest differently in each person. Some people feel tingling, then later feel pain. Other people lose the feeling in fingers and toes; they have numbness. Because the changes are often slow, subtle and happen as people get older, people tend to ignore the signs of nerve damage, thinking it’s just part of getting older. Loss of sensation in the feet can be serious. A person can develop a foot sore they do not feel, even if it becomes severely infected. This can lead to amputation of toes or legs and, in rare cases, death.[5]
It’s important to seek prompt medical evaluation for any persistent tingling in your hands, feet, or both. The earlier the underlying cause of the tingling is identified and brought under control, the less likely you are to suffer potentially lifelong consequences. Chiropractic treatment may reduce the severity of the motor nerve and sensory nerve damage, as well as help patients with the management of the disease. At Divine Spine we don’t recommend chiropractic care that involves twisting or popping of the spine, this could cause further damage, sometimes permanent disability.
A chiropractor at Divine Spine can also help determine the root cause of the tingling or painful sensation. Diabetic nerve pain may seem similar to sciatic nerve pain, but they’re actually quite different. While sciatica involves compression of the sciatic nerve, diabetes can cause peripheral neuropathy that leads to burning, numbness, and shooting pain in one or both of your legs.[6] Talking to your doctor will help identify the root cause of your pain, which will help guide your treatment plan.
At Divine Spine, we specialize in providing gentle, consistent computerized spine and joint therapy. Our computerized treatment system, performed through electronic vertebral alignment, offers a non-invasive procedure consisting of a precisely directed movement to help relieve pain and discomfort, and restore range of motion in the spine.
Call us immediately for an initial complimentary assessment.
[1] https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Peripheral-Neuropathy-Fact-Sheet
[2] https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/diabetes-type-2-assessment/default.htm
[3] https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/peripheral-neuropathy-risk-factors-symptoms#1
[4] https://diabetesnewsjournal.com/2015/03/17/chiropractic-care-may-help-control-peripheral-neuropathy-in-diabetics/
[5] https://www.chiroeco.com/peripheral-neuropathy-chiropractic/
[6] Toft DJ. Diabetic Neuropathy Overview. What is Diabetic Nerve Pain? https://www.endocrineweb.com/guides/diabetic-neuropathy/diabetic-neuropathy-overview. Updated March 16, 2017. Accessed August 6, 2018.