Do pins and needles keep coming back?
Tingling in your fingers, a patch of numb skin on your arm, a foot that falls asleep for no clear reason: these sensations can be unsettling, especially when you do not know why they happen. We start by listening, then use gentle testing and a careful look at your neck and posture to see what may be behind them.
What are numbness and tingling?
Numbness is a loss of feeling, and tingling is the pins-and-needles sensation you know from a foot that has fallen asleep. Both are signals from your nerves. They fade quickly after you have simply sat on a leg, but when they keep returning, last for days or spread, they deserve a closer look.
Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking or a drooping face is a stroke warning. Call 911. Numbness in the groin with trouble controlling your bladder or bowels is also an emergency.
Common signs include:
- Pins and needles in the hands, arms, feet or legs
- Patches of skin that feel dull or asleep
- A burning or buzzing feeling
- Weak or clumsy hands or legs
- Symptoms that change when you turn your head or move your arms
- Tingling that wakes you at night
- Pressure on a nerve at the wrist, elbow or spine
- Irritated nerve roots as they leave the neck or low back
- Holding one posture for a long time
- Health conditions such as diabetes or low vitamin B12
- An injury to the neck, back or limb
- Reduced blood flow to an arm or leg
What causes numbness and tingling?
Many things can press on or irritate a nerve, or limit its blood supply. Common ones include:
Numbness can start in many places, so upper cervical chiropractors look at the whole pathway. In our view, a head carried off center can add tension in the neck and shoulders, and that tension may add strain along the nerve pathways that serve the arms and hands.
How upper cervical care can help
Because numbness can have many causes, we begin by listening closely to when and where you feel it and what you have already had checked. Your exam may include neurological testing of strength, reflexes and sensation, a posture evaluation with software and 3D imaging of your neck. If anything points to a cause beyond our care, we will send you to the right medical doctor.
When the findings show a misalignment in the upper neck, our gentle adjustments aim to support better alignment and ease strain on the tissues around the nerves. Our goal is for tingling to come less often as the neck settles. Every person responds differently, and we adjust your plan as we see how you are doing.
Mapping where you feel it
Noting exactly which fingers, toes or patches are affected helps show which nerve pathways may be involved.
Hands-on nerve testing
Tests of muscle strength, reflexes and light touch help us track how your nerves respond from visit to visit.
Position clues
We ask whether symptoms change when you turn your head, lift your arms or sit at a desk, since those clues can point toward the neck.
Medical care comes first
Numbness that is sudden, one-sided or paired with weakness needs urgent medical care. We are glad to work alongside your doctor.
What to expect
Day 1
Your first visit
A consultation with the doctor at the office you choose, a thorough exam, and 3D imaging of your cervical spine with our CBCT scanner. We also do a detailed posture evaluation with advanced software, neurological testing and muscle assessments.
Day 2
Your report of findings
The doctor goes over your history, your exam and posture results, your neurological findings and your 3D images with you, and explains a care plan made for you.
Ongoing
Gentle care, checked as you go
Gentle upper cervical adjustments with no twisting, cracking or popping, and regular progress checks so your plan follows how you are doing.
Why choose Apollo?
Specialized care
We focus on upper cervical chiropractic, a highly targeted and refined approach.
A plan made for you
Every patient is different. Your care plan is built around your own exam and your 3D imaging.
Gentle, with no cracking
Our methods are very gentle: no twisting, cracking or popping.
An experienced doctor
Dr. Kosta Tsakalos brings deep clinical experience and a caring, detail-oriented approach to every visit.
Every person is different, and results vary. Read what our patients say on our testimonials page.
Let us help you get started
If you are dealing with numbness or tingling, we are here to help. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Kosta Tsakalos and find out whether upper cervical chiropractic care is right for you.
Related conditions we help with
- Whiplash
- Carpal Tunnel
- Shoulder Pain
- Hip Pain
- Knee Pain
- Sports Injuries
- Auto Accident Injuries
- Post-Surgical Recovery
- See every condition
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis or medical advice. If your symptoms are sudden or severe, please seek medical care right away.