Why does my hand go numb? The problem isn't always in the hand

Tingling, burning or intermittent changes in sensation in the hand or fingers can have various causes. It does not always mean that the problem lies exactly where we feel the symptom.

Nerve structures run from the cervical spine, through the shoulder and upper arm, down to the forearm, hand and fingers. That is why, with recurring numbness, it is important to know not only where it tingles, but also when the symptom appears, what makes it worse and whether it changes when you move your neck, shoulder or the whole limb.

The first important piece of information is the exact location of the changes in sensation.

We look at the situation differently when the whole arm tingles, when the symptom affects only the hand, and when it appears mainly in specific fingers. The location alone does not give a diagnosis, but it helps determine which structures are worth examining more closely.

Nerve structures at different levels of the limb may be involved.

The symptom may be related to, among other things:

• the cervical spine,
• the shoulder girdle,
• the course of the nerve structures through the upper arm and forearm,
• the elbow,
• the wrist and hand.

That is why simply massaging the area where the tingling occurs does not always answer the question of where the problem actually comes from.

During the examination it is also important whether the numbness is accompanied by a loss of strength, difficulty gripping objects, the hand tiring more quickly or reduced function.

If the tingling gets worse, eases or changes location when you move your neck, shoulder or the whole limb, this is valuable information for the examination.

That is why during the appointment it is worth assessing not only the hand, but also:

• the mobility of the cervical spine,
• the position and function of the shoulder girdle,
• shoulder mobility,
• the muscle strength of the limb,
• how the symptoms respond to specific positions,
• the function of the whole limb.

It is also important to know when the numbness appears.

If the symptoms occur mainly:

• at night,
• while working at a computer,
• when holding the arm in one position for a long time,
• with a particular position of the shoulder or neck,

this may indicate that the symptoms depend on the position of the limb and the load on the nerve structures.

However, this does not automatically mean a "trapped nerve" in one specific place. That is exactly why the whole course of the symptom needs to be examined.

If the tingling appeared once after sleeping on your arm for a long time and quickly went away, keeping an eye on it is usually enough.

However, it is worth having the problem checked more thoroughly if:

• the numbness keeps coming back,
• it appears more and more often,
• it affects specific fingers,
• it changes when you move your neck or shoulder,
• it occurs at night or while working at a computer,
• it is accompanied by neck or shoulder pain,
• your hand feels weak,
• it is harder to hold an object or make precise hand movements.

During an appointment at FizjoStyl we determine exactly the area of altered sensation, check which movements and positions change the symptom, and assess the neck, the shoulder girdle, and the strength and function of the whole limb. On this basis we can choose the right therapy and agree on a further plan.

If numbness or tingling keeps coming back, it is worth finding out what is causing it instead of waiting each time for the symptom to pass again.

Need help in person? Physiotherapy in Kraków – FizjoStyl: clinics in Kliny and at ul. Wolska 2a.