Numbness & tingling
Numbness, tingling, and “pins and needles” are usually signs that nerves are irritated, compressed, or not getting what they need. Symptoms can come from local nerve entrapments (like carpal tunnel), more widespread nerve problems (polyneuropathy), or even from muscles and joints referring sensations along nerve pathways.
Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage outside the brain and spinal cord) is common, affecting an estimated 1–7% of the general population, and much more in older adults and people with diabetes.
At Roots Health Clinic in Prague, we focus on where your symptoms are coming from—nerve roots, peripheral nerves, muscles, joints, or metabolic factors—and build a plan combining physiotherapy, chiropractic care, and lifestyle guidance. We also screen for more serious causes (such as diabetes, MS, stroke signs) and refer to your GP or neurologist when needed.
Addressing those unnerving "pins & needles"
People describe these symptoms in many ways:
“My fingers keep going numb.”
“It feels like ants crawling on my skin.”
“My foot falls asleep all the time.”
“I get electric zaps down my arm or leg.”
Numbness and tingling can be:
Positional and short-lived – e.g. sitting on your leg too long.
Recurrent or persistent – suggesting nerve irritation, compression, or metabolic issues.
Sudden and one-sided, especially with other symptoms – which can be a medical emergency (e.g. stroke or spinal cord compression).
Our job at Roots is to work out:
Is this coming from a local nerve, a bigger nerve pattern, muscles and joints, or a systemic issue?
What's going on in the nerves?
Your nervous system is a network:
The brain and spinal cord (central nervous system)
The peripheral nerves that run into the arms, legs, and trunk
Peripheral nerves are like living cables made of:
Axons – carry electrical signals
Myelin – a fatty, cholesterol-rich insulation that speeds conduction
Support cells and blood vessels – keep nerves fed and oxygenated
When nerves are:
Compressed (e.g. by a tight muscle, joint, or posture)
Stretched or irritated (e.g. disc herniation, scar tissue, trauma)
Metabolically stressed (e.g. high blood sugar, vitamin deficiencies)
…they can start firing irregularly, creating numbness, tingling, burning, or “pins and needles.”
Not all tingling is a sign of permanent damage—but it’s a message worth listening to.
Why you might be feeling this way
Putting it together, common contributors include:
prolonged sitting or awkward postures compressing nerves or blood supply
local nerve entrapments (wrist, elbow, neck, lower back, hip, ankle)
long-standing diabetes or prediabetes
vitamin deficiencies (especially B12), thyroid issues, or other metabolic problems
previous injuries or surgeries that left scar tissue or altered mechanics
chronic stress, poor sleep, and under-recovery, which sensitise the nervous system
Your pattern of numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain is a map. Our job is to read that map and work out which parts of your system need attention.
How we can help at Roots
At Roots Health Clinic, we combine neurological, orthopaedic, and movement assessment to understand your numbness and tingling.
Your plan may include:
Detailed assessment
mapping where symptoms occur and what triggers them
checking strength, reflexes, sensation, and balance
testing spine, shoulder, hip, and limb mechanics
screening for red flags that need GP or neurologist input
Physiotherapy & movement retraining
nerve “gliding” and mobility exercises when appropriate
strengthening for weak muscles, especially around shoulders, hips, and core
postural and ergonomic adjustments (desk, laptop, phone, driving)
Chiropractic care & manual therapy
improving neck, back, rib, and pelvic mechanics to reduce nerve irritation
targeted soft-tissue work on tight muscles referring symptoms into the limbs
Lifestyle & basic metabolic guidance
suggestions around activity levels, pacing, and recovery
simple advice on blood sugar–friendly habits and nutrient support (e.g. B vitamins, magnesium) where appropriate—always alongside medical care, not instead of it
We also communicate with your GP or specialist when we think blood tests, imaging, or nerve-conduction studies would be helpful.
Numbness or tingling? Get your nerves checked in Prague
If numbness, tingling, or “pins and needles” are worrying you—or stopping you from moving and working comfortably—you don’t have to guess what’s going on.
At Roots Health Clinic in Prague, our chiropractors and physiotherapists:
map your symptoms
check your nerves, muscles, and joints
help you decide what can be treated conservatively—and what needs medical tests
Mononeuropathy vs polyneuropathy – what it means
Doctors often classify nerve issues based on how many nerves are involved.
Mononeuropathy (single nerve problem)
This is when one named nerve is irritated or compressed, usually at a specific anatomical “pinch point.”
Examples:
Carpal tunnel syndrome – median nerve compressed at the wrist
Numbness/tingling in thumb, index, middle, and part of ring finger
Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (“cubital tunnel”)
Numbness in ring and little finger, especially when elbows are bent
Radial nerve irritation – sometimes from humerus/shoulder region
Back-of-hand or wrist symptoms, difficulty extending the wrist
Peroneal (fibular) nerve entrapment at the fibular head
Numbness on outer shin/foot, possible foot drop
Tarsal tunnel syndrome – tibial nerve compressed near the inner ankle
Tingling/numbness in sole of the foot, heel, or toes
These often relate to posture, repetitive positions, or local biomechanics, and respond well to a mix of unloading, mobilisation, and specific strengthening.
Polyneuropathy (many nerves, usually both sides)
Polyneuropathy is a widespread nerve issue, often starting in the feet and hands (“stocking-glove” pattern).
Common causes include:
Diabetes (one of the most common worldwide)
Vitamin B12 or other nutrient deficiencies
Chronic alcohol use
Kidney disease or liver disease
Chemotherapy or toxin exposure
Certain autoimmune conditions
People may notice:
tingling, burning, or numbness in both feet
reduced balance, “walking on foam” feeling
later, symptoms in the hands
Polyneuropathy can coexist with mechanical problems (like back or neck issues), which is why a thorough assessment is important.
When you should seek emergency care
Call emergency services or seek urgent medical help if you notice:
sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body
numbness with facial droop, difficulty speaking, or confusion (possible stroke/TIA)
rapidly worsening numbness with loss of bladder/bowel control or numbness in the groin/saddle area (possible cauda equina syndrome)
severe back or neck pain after major trauma (car accident, fall) with numbness/weakness
a hot, swollen limb with colour change and severe pain (possible vascular or clot issue)
These situations are different from typical chronic “pins and needles” and need immediate medical assessment.
What people often notice after care
As we work through the process, many people report:
fewer episodes of tingling or “dead” limbs
shorter duration of symptoms when they do occur
improved neck, back, or limb mobility
better confidence using their arms or legs without fear
clearer understanding of which symptoms are mechanical and which may need medical follow-up
Other important causes – from metabolism to the brain
Numbness and tingling can also be driven by:
Spine and nerve root problems
disc bulges or herniations in the neck or lower back
spinal stenosis or foraminal narrowing
often with pain, tingling, or weakness following a nerve root pattern
Central nervous system conditions
Multiple sclerosis (MS) – patches of nerve insulation loss in brain/spinal cord
Stroke or TIA (“mini stroke”) – sudden numbness, usually one-sided, often with speech or facial changes
Metabolic & systemic issues
Diabetes – high blood sugar damaging small nerves (diabetic neuropathy)
Underactive thyroid
Vitamin B12 deficiency (especially in older adults)
Chronic kidney or liver disease
These conditions usually require medical testing and management. At Roots, we screen for red flags and refer to your GP or specialist when we suspect a systemic or central cause.