It can be concerning when people feel a pins and needles sensation. Often many will ignore the sensation and hope it goes away, or wait it out. If the pins and needles goes away after a few days, it may be okay, but if it persists for weeks or months, it could be something that really needs treatment. Pins and needles can be due to a variety of reasons and we will explore these in this post.
You might notice pins and needles show up in many different ways:
- hands and feet
- one side of the body eg left side only or right side only
- in the legs
- only when you're sleeping
- only during pregnancy
- with anxious feelings or even a panic attack
- all over the body
- after a surgery
Where to begin with pins and needles treatment:
The priority is to see your doctor and let them know your concerns. Depending on their assessment, they may request further testing or not.
In the meantime, while you either wait to see a specialist such as a neurologist or for bloodwork results, you might still be suffering pins and needles and it can be stressful , affect your sleep or wear you down.
Acupuncture is a useful tool during this interim time to try to help manage symptoms including calming the brain and nervous system and encouraging better sleep patterns.
Firstly, let's take a look at what could be underlying these signs. Neuropathy and Neuropathic pain are big words, and can seem a bit scary, but lets break down what the differences are:
Pins and Needles: Neuropathy vs. Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathy and neuropathic pain are related but not the same thing.
| Feature | Neuropathy | Neuropathic Pain |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A condition where nerves are damaged, diseased, or malfunctioning | Pain caused by nerve damage or dysfunction |
| Symptoms | Numbness, tingling, weakness, loss of sensation, muscle wasting | Burning, stabbing, shooting pain, sensitivity to touch, tingling |
| Pain Involvement | May or may not cause pain | Always involves pain |
| Causes | Diabetes, autoimmune diseases, trauma, infections, toxins | Same as neuropathy but also includes conditions like post-herpetic neuralgia or phantom limb pain |
| Treatment | Depends on the underlying cause; may involve physical therapy such as acupuncture or physiotherapy, nerve repair, or medications | Pain management using nerve-specific treatments like anticonvulsants, antidepressants, acupuncture |
Key Difference:
- Neuropathy is the broader condition of nerve dysfunction or damage.
- Neuropathic pain is the pain that results from neuropathy or nerve dysfunction.
So how could Acupuncture be included in your broader management plan?
Acupuncture helps manage pins and needles by improving circulation, calming the nervous system, and reducing inflammation.
For tension-related numbness, it relaxes tight muscles that compress nerves.
In anxiety-induced tingling, acupuncture soothes the nervous system, reducing hypersensitivity.
After surgery or injury, it promotes nerve healing and reduces swelling that may be causing pressure on the nerves.
By stimulating specific points, acupuncture enhances blood flow and nerve function, relieving discomfort and restoring sensation. Whether caused by stress, poor circulation, or nerve compression, acupuncture offers a natural approach to easing tingling and numbness.
If you're experiencing pins and needles, first go to your doctor. If you already have and are looking for natural treatment for pins and needles, consider adding Acupuncture to your regimen.
If you're based on Sydney's Northern Beaches, I may be able to help. I'm an AHPRA registered Acupuncturist based in Brookvale, servicing clients in the Manly, Dee Why, Frenchs Forest and Narrabeen areas. Reach out via the Contact Page and we can start a conversation about helping you get some relief.
