On Pins and Needles

Have you ever sat in an uncomfortable position, then shifted and had an uncomfortable tingling sensation in one of your limbs? Everyone has, but you may not have thought about why that sensation occurs. 

If you change position and the pressure is removed, there’s no harm, no foul. But when a change of position doesn’t do anything, it means you might want to speak with a professional. Persistent pins and needles are a sign of a deeper problem in the body. 

The feeling of pins and needles is referred to as paresthesia. Though typically harmless, there are some forms that indicate a serious issue. The features of paresthesia include

  • Prickling or tingling
  • Numbness
  • Burning
  • Itching

Most commonly, paresthesia is felt in the hands, arms, legs or feet. 

When It Becomes More Serious

When you remove the pressure that causes numbness or tingling, it likely goes away – like if you have your feet tucked under you as you’re sitting, you’ll notice when you get up that you’ve released that nerve pressure.

But if your case is more chronic, there can be different sources, including injury. Whether you’ve had a recent trauma or overuse a certain part of your body, both are a common cause of pins and needles.

If your tingling sensation has lasted for more than just an episode, it’s time to get help. The earlier you get your problem under control, the more likely you are to avoid future health concerns. If you are worried about paresthesia, a chiropractor’s office is a great place to begin – they are practitioners who work on the nervous system, which as you’ll learn next, is central to the idea of pins and needles.

Why It Happens

The cells in your body make up all your nerves. The nerves receive oxygen and other nutrients thanks to your blood vessels. The body’s nerves interact with the blood vessels to make sure the right amount of blood reaches each organ. So, when nerves or blood vessels are compressed, the nerves can’t transmit information back to the central nervous system as they should. The brain interprets these signals as pins and needles, which is what causes a sensation of tingling or numbness in the body. 

The Other Causes of Paresthesia

There is no one single cause of a sensation of pins and needles. The most common, other than injury, are

  • Diabetes (Type I and Type II)
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Low levels of certain vitamins

If you are a diabetic, you’ve probably heard of peripheral neuropathy. People with diabetes may develop tingling and numbness in their feet that will eventually go up their legs. Still others experience this sensation in their hands and arms. Diabetic neuropathy occurs to about 2/3 of people who have diabetes, all ranging from mild to severe and due to nerve damage. In some people, this is the first sign that they have diabetes. 

If you’re experiencing pins and needles that can’t be resolved by a shift of your position, be sure to talk to a professional to rule out anything more serious. 

 

Better Sleep for a Healthier You

When you get busy and are feeling stressed about getting things done, what do you do to make sure you have more time?

If you’re like most people in the world, you would probably cut back on your hours of sleep. It may be a quick fix for just a night or two, or a lack of sleep can go on for weeks, months, or years.

That can have further-reaching consequences than you might originally think. It’s essential to understand the WHY behind the human need for sleep, and what getting the proper amount of sleep can really do for you.

Plenty Is Happening Behind the Scenes

You might think there’s not much going on in your brain and body when you’re sleeping. That couldn’t be further from the truth! When you’re sleeping, your brain cells are hard at work processing your day, making them a vital part of the learning process.

That’s far from all that’s happening, though. You need sleep to manage stress and emotions, which is incredibly tough to do when you’re sleep-deprived, as many of us know.

Sleep also plays an important role in your immune system and regulating nearly all functions in the body – your heart, brain, lungs, hormones, and metabolic and endocrine systems are all affected by sleep!

The Frightening Effects of Sleep Deprivation

You might think that it’s no big deal to cut down on your sleeping hours. But when you consider it could be the reason for illness, an accident, or being unable to perform at work, you might want to think again.

Getting proper sleep can actually make you more productive! Plus, it will promote your overall health and well-being. Depriving yourself of needed sleep can have a detrimental influence on your personal and professional lives.

When you don’t sleep the number of hours you require, the short-term effects include

  • Fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Difficulty focusing
  • Slower reaction times
  • Greater stress levels

What’s even scarier are the long-term effects of sleep deprivation. The serious health problems that occur from a prolonged lack of sleep include weakened immunity, diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and obesity! These are some of the biggest killers in our world today.

Get the Rest You Need

So, you know that it’s important that you get good sleep every night. But what constitutes as “good sleep?”

Just like most things in life, the amount of sleep you need is unique to you. In general terms, an adult needs about 7 hours of sleep, though remember, this is just an average. You could need as little as 5 or as much as 10. Children and teens require even more sleep, usually around 9-10 hours a night.