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Numbness in the hands, feet, arms, and legs can be caused by muscle tightness. This can be due to overuse or repetitive actions with the same muscle or muscle group, which can build up and press on a nerve. For example, a cyclist with a bike that is not fitted properly may have an outward hip rotation during pedaling, which can overdevelop the piriformis muscle, causing it to push on the sciatic nerve and resulting in what feels like electric shocks down the leg. Numbness can also be caused by nerve compression, which can occur in the spine after auto collisions. Treatment for numbness caused by muscle tightness includes massage therapy, stretching, and rest.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sensation | Electric shocks or pins and needles |
| Causes | Repetitive actions, continuous stress, poor posture, overuse, injury, bone spurs, disc herniation, auto accidents, diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis (MS), carpal tunnel syndrome, tarsal tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome |
| Treatment | Deep tissue massage, assisted stretching, rest, ice, heat, braces, orthotic devices, chiropractic care, targeted adjustments, rehabilitative exercises, strengthening exercises |
| Prevention | Figure out which nerve is compressed and where, determine the cause of nerve compression, improve posture |
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What You'll Learn
Muscle tightness can cause nerve compression
Muscle tightness can indeed cause nerve compression, which may result in numbness. When muscles are repeatedly used in the same way, they can build up and press on a nerve, causing compression. For example, a cyclist with a poorly fitted bike may have a slight outward hip rotation while pedaling, which can over-develop the piriformis muscle. When this muscle becomes too large, it can push on the sciatic nerve, causing what feels like electric shocks down the leg.
Similarly, painters and other professionals who consistently rotate their arms may experience an increase in the size of the teres minor muscle, which can then press on the nerve underneath, causing a pins-and-needles sensation. This can also occur in the hands and arms, where nerves can get caught up in tight muscles, causing numbness or the feeling of a body part "falling asleep." This can be treated with massage therapy, stretching, and strengthening exercises.
Nerve compression can also occur in the spine, where tight muscles outside of the spine can compress a nerve and cause symptoms such as tingling and numbness. Chiropractic care can offer effective relief in these cases, as adjustments can enhance blood flow, reduce inflammation, and promote the body's natural healing processes. Treatment for nerve compression typically involves first identifying the compressed nerve and its location, and then using massage and stretching to lengthen the tight muscles and lift the compression off the nerve.
It is important to note that numbness can also be caused by other conditions, such as fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, diabetic neuropathies, and tarsal tunnel syndrome. Numbness may also occur due to overuse or injury, putting too much pressure on the nerves. Therefore, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause of numbness and receive appropriate treatment.
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Massage therapy can treat numbness
Muscle tightness can indeed cause numbness. When you perform repetitive actions with the same muscle or muscle group, they can build up and press on a nerve, causing numbness. This can happen in professions that involve consistent arm rotation, such as painting, or even cycling with a bike that isn't fitted properly.
Massage therapy can be an effective treatment for numbness caused by nerve compression or damage. By targeting the affected muscles and nerves, massage can help to relieve symptoms and improve overall health. Deep tissue massage, for example, addresses chronic pain and inflammation by targeting deeper muscle layers. Neuromuscular therapy focuses on trigger points in muscles, alleviating pain and muscular tension.
Massage therapy can also help to improve sensation and reduce numbness through increased vasodilation and the removal of waste products. Vasodilation is the process of increasing the permeability of blood vessels, which improves blood flow and reduces swelling. Poor circulation is a common cause of numbness, so improving blood flow can help to relieve these symptoms.
Additionally, massage therapy can encourage the production of "feel-good" hormones, leading to a decrease in blood pressure, stress levels, and muscle tightness. This can be especially beneficial for managing the discomfort associated with neuropathy, a condition characterized by tingling, numbness, and pain due to nerve damage. While massage is not a cure for neuropathy, it can complement conventional treatments and enhance overall well-being.
It is important to note that when seeking massage therapy for nerve-related issues, it is advisable to consult with clinically trained therapists who can apply the appropriate techniques and pressure to avoid exacerbating symptoms.
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Chiropractic care can help with hand numbness
Muscle tightness can cause numbness in the hands. This is because nerves in the arm travel under the collarbone and through some major muscles in the arm, all the way to the fingertips. When muscles are tight, they can press on nerves, causing a pins-and-needles sensation.
Chiropractic care has proven effective in treating hand numbness in several case studies. In one case, a 24-year-old woman experienced a "pins and needles" sensation in her right arm for two years, which interfered with her daily activities and sleep. After one week of treatment with a chiropractor, her numbness and tingling disappeared. In another study, 85% of test subjects with radiculopathy experienced significant relief from numbness and tingling after several chiropractic sessions.
Chiropractors can also help identify the underlying cause of hand numbness. For example, carpal tunnel syndrome is a common cause of hand numbness and chiropractors can treat this condition by relieving pressure on the median nerve. Other common causes of hand numbness include peripheral neuropathy, ulnar nerve entrapment, and thoracic outlet syndrome.
If you are experiencing hand numbness, it is important to seek medical help to determine the underlying cause and explore treatment options. Chiropractic care is a natural medicine approach that may be able to provide relief from hand numbness and its underlying conditions.
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Numbness can be caused by overuse or injury
In the arms, numbness can be caused by the ulnar nerve being affected by tight muscles. The flexor carpi ulnaris muscle has two attachment points, and the ulnar nerve courses through them, so issues with this muscle can cause numbness in the elbow and down the arm. Carpal tunnel syndrome is another example of this, where the median nerve is compressed at the wrist, causing numbness, tingling, and weakness near the thumb.
Similarly, in the legs, overuse or injury can lead to conditions such as tarsal tunnel syndrome, which is a compression of the posterior tibial nerve in the heel, resulting in tingling and numbness in the foot. Putting too much pressure on the nerves through overuse or injury can also cause numbness in the legs and feet.
Numbness in the hands can be caused by a "pinched nerve" in the neck, known as cervical radiculopathy, where the nerve root is irritated before it branches out into the upper extremity. Thoracic outlet syndrome is another potential cause, where the scalenes muscles in the neck create a triangular opening for nerves and vessels to pass through to the upper extremity. When these muscles are strained, the space for the neurovascular bundle to move through becomes too small, resulting in numbness and tingling in the arm or hand.
Treatment for numbness caused by overuse or injury can vary depending on the specific condition and body part affected. Massage therapy, chiropractic care, stretching, strengthening exercises, rest, and ice or heat application are some common approaches to relieving muscle tightness and promoting healing.
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Numbness can be a symptom of fibromyalgia
Muscle tightness can indeed cause numbness, often referred to as "pins and needles". This is caused by nerve compression, which can occur when muscles are contracted for extended periods without full relaxation. For example, those who sit hunched over a keyboard or phone for hours a day can experience this. Continuous stress can also be a contributing factor. Nerves in the arm can be affected by tight muscles, resulting in symptoms from the elbow down the arm, such as numbness and tingling. Similarly, cyclists with poorly fitted bikes can experience an outward hip rotation, leading to the over-development of the piriformis muscle, which then pushes on the sciatic nerve, causing "electric shocks" down the leg.
Numbness can also be a symptom of fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a condition characterised by muscular pain and fatigue, often affecting the back, buttocks, and legs. It can be triggered by physical or emotional trauma, stress, illness, or hormonal changes. An overactive nervous system is at the core of fibromyalgia, with the central nervous system becoming excessively sensitive, a state known as central sensitization. This amplifies the perception of pain and can lead to widespread symptoms.
People with fibromyalgia may experience numbness and tingling in their arms, hands, legs, feet, and sometimes face. These sensations can be linked to other conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, neuritis, or multiple sclerosis, leading to frustration as tests for these conditions often come back negative. The tingling sensations in fibromyalgia may be associated with small fibre neuropathy, affecting nerve fibres in the skin and internal organs, resulting in prickling, burning pain, and tingling. While there is no definitive test for fibromyalgia, proper diagnosis and treatment require working with an experienced physician.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, muscle tightness can cause numbness. Nerves can sometimes get caught up in tight muscles, resulting in numbness.
Muscle tightness causing numbness can be treated with massage therapy, chiropractic care, stretching, strengthening exercises, and rest.
Symptoms of muscle tightness causing numbness can include a pins-and-needles sensation, tingling, pain, and weakness.
