Most of us have had an arm or leg "fall asleep": sitting in an odd position, or resting an elbow on the desk during a long phone call. It can feel numb, like after a dental injection, or tingly, like pins and needles. Many people think this is about blood flow, but usually it's about a nerve being pressed on.
When the cause is obvious, you shift position and the feeling slowly comes back. It's harder to explain when numbness shows up without an obvious reason: sitting in a comfortable chair, or walking through a store. There are several possible causes, and all of them involve a nerve being affected somewhere along its path.
When the spine is involved
In my experience, a common reason for unexplained numbness in an arm or leg is a spine-related problem. The ones I see most often are a stiff or restricted joint (what chiropractors call a subluxation or fixation), degenerative disc disease and bulging discs. Your spine is made of bones called vertebrae, with discs between them that let the spine bend and twist. Vertebrae can shift slightly out of normal alignment and discs can be injured, and either can irritate the nerves that exit the spine on their way to your arms and legs.
Other conditions cause numbness too, including carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes, vitamin deficiencies and circulation problems. That's why an exam matters.
Get it checked
Numbness that keeps coming back shouldn't be ignored. A chiropractor or physician can examine you to find the likely source and recommend a course of action. In some cases imaging such as an MRI is needed, and we'll refer you if so. When the cause is spine-related, care may include chiropractic adjustments to reduce pressure on the nerve, along with exercise. Call (912) 600-2866 to set up an exam.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Our doctors are doctors of chiropractic (D.C.), not medical doctors. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.