Are you experiencing hand tingling, numbness or weakness that is impacting your daily activities or quality of life in San Francisco? This uncomfortable sensation, often described as “pins and needles”, can make it difficult to perform simple tasks like typing, gripping objects, or even getting a good night’s sleep.
Fortunately, chiropractic care and other alternative therapies offered at TruSpine Chiropractic in San Francisco can provide relief for this frustrating condition without drugs or surgery.
Key Takeaways
- Hand tingling is often caused by nerve compression or irritation in the neck, shoulder, elbow or wrist
- Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common cause of hand tingling, especially in people who do repetitive hand motions
- Chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, laser therapy and other modalities can relieve pressure on nerves and reduce inflammation causing hand tingling
- Proper ergonomics at work, taking frequent breaks, and doing hand/wrist exercises can prevent hand tingling from recurring
What Causes hand Tingling, numbness, or Weakness?
There are many potential causes of tingling, numbness and weakness in the hands. Often, the culprit is nerve compression or irritation somewhere along the path from the neck to the fingertips.
Some common conditions that can lead to hand tingling include:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The median nerve runs through a narrow passageway in the wrist called the carpal tunnel. If this tunnel becomes narrowed due to inflammation, injury, or repetitive stress, it can put pressure on the median nerve.
This can cause tingling, numbness, and weakness in the thumb, index, and middle fingers.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is especially common in people who do repetitive hand motions, such as typing, assembly line work, or playing certain musical instruments.
Wrist position during these activities is important – bending the wrist inward or outward for prolonged periods can increase pressure in the carpal tunnel.
Cervical Radiculopathy
Nerve roots exiting the cervical spine in the neck can become compressed or irritated due to conditions like herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, or cervical stenosis.
Depending on which nerve root is affected, this can cause tingling, numbness, and weakness anywhere along the path of that nerve into the shoulder, arm, and hand.
Poor posture, neck injuries, and age-related wear and tear are common causes of cervical radiculopathy.
The C6 and C7 nerve roots are frequently involved, potentially causing symptoms in the thumb and first two fingers.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
The thoracic outlet is the space between your collarbone and first rib. Nerves and blood vessels pass through this narrow passageway from the neck and chest to supply the arm and hand.
If these structures become compressed, such as by tight muscles, scar tissue, or bony abnormalities, it can cause tingling down the arm and into the hand.
Thoracic outlet syndrome often affects people who do a lot of overhead arm movements, like painters, mechanics, and swimmers. Poor posture and neck tension can also contribute.
Other Causes
Some other potential causes of tingling hands include:
- Peripheral neuropathy from diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, or toxin exposure
- Ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow or wrist (more likely to cause tingling in the ring and pinky fingers)
- Systemic diseases like multiple sclerosis, lupus, or Lyme disease
- Medications that cause nerve damage as a side effect
- Alcohol abuse which can damage nerves over time
A thorough evaluation by a healthcare provider is important to determine the underlying cause of your hand tingling and develop an appropriate treatment plan. At TruSpine, we take a whole-person approach to get to the root of your symptoms.
Whether you’re dealing with peripheral neuropathy due to health conditions, auto-immune disease, or medications, we can help.
Additional reading: Nerve Pain: Your Body’s Alarm System
What Affects Your Condition
San Francisco is known for its unique climate, characterized by cool temperatures, fog, and damp conditions. While this climate is part of the city’s charm, it can also exacerbate symptoms of hand tingling and numbness for some individuals.
Here’s how:
| Climate Factor | Effect on Hand Numbness or Weakness |
|---|---|
| Cool Temperatures | Can cause blood vessels in the hands to constrict, reducing circulation and leading to numbness and tingling |
| Dampness | Can increase joint stiffness and pain in conditions like arthritis, which can contribute to hand tingling and weakness |
| Barometric Pressure Changes | Rapid changes in barometric pressure, common in San Francisco, can trigger inflammation and pain in the hands and wrists |
Supporting Facts And Studies
According to a study published in the Neurology Journal, cold temperatures can significantly impact nerve conduction velocity, leading to increased symptoms of numbness and tingling (Neurology, November 1, 1973).
For San Francisco residents with conditions like Raynaud’s syndrome, where the blood vessels in the fingers and toes are particularly sensitive to cold, the city’s climate can be especially challenging.
To combat the effects of San Francisco’s climate on hand tingling, consider the following tips:
- Keep hands warm by wearing gloves or mittens when outdoors
- Use hand warmers or pockets to provide extra warmth when needed
- Perform hand and finger stretches regularly to improve circulation
- Use a humidifier indoors to counteract the effects of damp weather on joints
- Maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine to improve overall circulation and joint health
“In San Francisco, I always keep a pair of gloves in my bag, even in the summer. The weather can change quickly, and I find that keeping my hands warm really helps prevent my carpal tunnel symptoms from flaring up.” – Sarah, San Francisco resident and tech worker
In addition to these self-care strategies, seeking care from a San Francisco chiropractor can also be beneficial for managing hand tingling related to climate factors. Chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue therapies can help improve joint mobility, reduce inflammation, and promote better circulation in the hands and wrists.
For those with severe sensitivity to cold and damp conditions, it may be worth considering assistive devices like heated gloves or hand massagers. These tools can provide targeted warmth and stimulation to the hands, helping to alleviate numbness and tingling sensations.
By understanding how San Francisco’s unique climate can impact hand tingling and taking proactive steps to manage symptoms, residents can enjoy all the city has to offer without letting hand pain and numbness hold them back.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help?
Chiropractic care is a drug-free, non-invasive treatment option that can be very effective for reducing hand tingling caused by nerve compression or irritation. Some of the ways chiropractic can help include:
Spinal Adjustments
Gentle, targeted adjustments to the cervical spine can relieve pressure on irritated nerve roots and restore normal joint motion and alignment. This can reduce inflammation and allow compressed nerves to heal.
Adjustments to the thoracic and lumbar spine can also improve overall nerve flow and function.
Extremity Adjustments
In addition to the spine, chiropractors are trained to adjust joints in the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand. Restoring proper alignment and movement to these joints can take pressure off compressed nerves, such as in the carpal tunnel or cubital tunnel at the elbow.
Soft Tissue Work
Muscles, tendons and ligaments along the path of the affected nerve may be tight or inflamed, contributing to compression. Targeted soft tissue techniques like massage, trigger point therapy, active release technique (ART), and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) can release restrictions and reduce inflammation.
Ergonomic & Lifestyle Advice
Your San Francisco chiropractor can assess your workspace and daily habits to identify potential contributing factors to your hand tingling. Recommendations for ergonomic workstation setup, frequent breaks, stretching exercises, and activity modifications can help prevent symptoms from recurring.
At TruSpine, we often see great results for patients with hand tingling by combining chiropractic adjustments with some of our other innovative therapies:
Acupuncture
This ancient Chinese technique involves placing thin needles at strategic points to stimulate healing. Acupuncture can help reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and release tight muscles compressing nerves.
Learn more about our acupuncture services here.
Laser Therapy
Low-level laser therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate cell regeneration and healing. It can be helpful for reducing nerve pain and promoting tissue repair in conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.
Read about the benefits of laser therapy here.
Shockwave Therapy
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) sends high-energy sound waves into damaged soft tissues to break up scar tissue, reduce inflammation, and stimulate healing. It can be effective for stubborn cases of hand tingling that haven’t responded to other treatments. More on our shockwave therapy services.
Preventing Pins and Needles
While getting relief from your current symptoms is a top priority, it’s also important to take steps to keep the tingling from coming back. Some good prevention strategies include:
Optimize Your Workspace
Set up your desk, chair, and computer in a way that allows your arms and wrists to rest in a neutral position. Keep your keyboard and mouse close to your body to avoid reaching. Use padding under your wrists if needed. For detailed recommendations, see this visual guide to ergonomic workstations.
Take Frequent Breaks
Step away from repetitive hand activities for a few minutes at least once per hour. Use this time to stretch, change position, and let your arms and hands rest. There are even desk yoga routines you can do to release tension periodically.
Stay Active
Regular exercise can improve your overall circulation, joint mobility, and muscle flexibility – all of which are important for preventing nerve compression. Low-impact activities like walking, swimming, and gentle yoga are a great place to start.
Manage Your Health
Chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity can all contribute to nerve damage over time. Work with your healthcare team to keep these issues well-controlled through medication, diet, and lifestyle changes as needed. Don’t smoke, and limit alcohol intake.
Get Regular Chiropractic Care
Even if your hand tingling has improved, maintaining the alignment and mobility of your neck and upper extremities is important for preventing recurrences. Routine chiropractic care, even when you’re feeling good, is a smart part of a prevention plan. At TruSpine, we offer personalized wellness plans to help you stay on track.
Let Us Help You Find Relief
If you’re tired of living with hand tingling in San Francisco, we invite you to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced chiropractors.
We’ll take the time to thoroughly assess your condition, answer your questions, and develop a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs and goals.
With our state-of-the-art facility, cutting-edge therapies, and compassionate care, there’s no need to let hand tingling keep you from enjoying all that San Francisco has to offer. Contact us today to start your journey toward relief and wellness.
Call 415-421-1115 or book an appointment online – we look forward to meeting you!
