Tingling and numbness are abnormal sensations which could occur anywhere in the body; however, they often occur in your hands, feet, and legs and sometimes in the back as well.
Sensation of tingling numbness, ‘pins and needles’ or ‘creeping’ is medically known as paresthesia. Symptoms may start as a tingling and then change to numbness, or there may be tingling numbness, but with raised sensations at some times.
By and large, tingling numbness is related to damage or impairment of a sensory nerve. Causes depend upon the precise location of the paresthesia; but most frequently seen causes are a nerve trauma condition, impingement of a nerve, or a disease condition affecting the nerves.
What Causes A Tingling Sensation In The Back?
The following are the most probable causes for tingling in the back; your doctor will ask you to carry out a few tests in order to understand the precise cause in your case:
- Sitting or standing for a prolonged period of time.
- Injury / trauma to the neck, mid back or lower back.
- Herniation of a disc resulting in nerve impingement.
- Pressure on nerves due to tumor masses, enlarged blood vessels, scar tissue, or infection.
- Lack of blood supply to an area in the back.
- Vitamin B 12 deficiency.
- Abnormal potassium, calcium or sodium levels in the body.
- Certain medicines are known to cause tingling.
- Nerve damage due to tobacco, alcohol or chemotherapy drugs.
- Insect, tick, mite, and spider bites.
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Herpes zoster
- Radiation therapy
- Diabetes mellitus
- Seafood toxins
Treatment For Tingling And Numbness In Back
Left untreated and neglected, tingling numbness can aggravate and also have grave complications; hence, it is very vital that you ascertain the exact cause and start timely treatment. Confer with your health care provider; he may order a few investigations and tests to establish the precise cause.
- By and large, your health care provider may first start you off on to B 12 supplementation for about a month. He will ask you to take oral supplements or may advise injections. This therapy will definitely ameliorate the symptoms appreciably.
- In case you have diabetes mellitus, your doctor will discuss ways to control your blood sugar levels and this will consequently help manage the tingling numbness.
- Nerve impingement due to injury, a disorder or disc herniation requires prompt management to prevent complications. Medications, physical therapy and sometimes surgical intervention are necessary.
- Ergonomics plays a pivotal role; thus, avoid wrong postures and do not sit or stand in one position for too long.
- Exercising thrice a week is crucial for a healthy and well -functioning spine. So, ensure that you incorporate some kind of routine in to your daily lifestyle.
- Bites need to be handled carefully and promptly too. It is essential to visit a doctor and get the wound treated properly.
- Low levels of minerals and vitamins are effectively managed with vitamin supplements.
- Drugs and medications which seem to have triggered the tingling need to be changed or their dosage altered.
- Tingling numbness due to toxins, infections and alcohol need appropriate treatment management.
Always remember that do not embark up on any kind of supplementation on your own; it is always advisable to get your physician’s recommendation. Also, do not stop medicines without consulting your doctor.