Getting Started
Numbness or tingling is an unpleasant sensation in which there is reduced or absent feeling in the skin or a “pins and needles” sensation. The most common reason for numbness or tingling is a problem with nerve function, either because the nerve itself is injured, something is pressing on the nerve, or an imbalance in the body’s chemistry interferes with nerve function. Most causes are not dangerous, but when muscle weakness or paralysis is also present, numbness and tingling should be treated as an emergency.
Certain symptoms suggest a serious cause of tingling and numbness that requires prompt attention. It’s important to ask questions about these symptoms first.
Did your numbness or tingling begin after a significant injury, such as a fall or car accident?
Yes, the numbness or tingling began after a significant injury.