Tingling in Your Fingers? Is it Carpal Tunnel or Something Else?

Have you experienced a tingling sensation or pain in your hands? It could be carpal tunnel syndrome; however, these symptoms may also mean that a nerve is pinched somewhere else in your body.

The nerves in our hands and fingers begin in our spinal cord at the base of the neck. From there, those nerves pass through the shoulder, down the arm, over and around the elbow, and to the wrist before reaching into our hands and fingers. A nerve can become pinched at any point along this complex route – at the neck, shoulder, elbow, or wrist – all of which can cause tingling in the hand. When a pinched nerve is the problem, the tingling sensation or numbness will come and go throughout the day, is triggered by certain body positions, and usually occurs in one arm, hand, leg, or foot.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is diagnosed when the median nerve is being pinched at the wrist. Symptoms of carpal tunnel usually include tingling sensations in the thumb, index, and middle fingers. This can happen when the median nerve swells due to repetitive or tight gripping, or if pressure is applied on top of the nerve from activities such as carrying a heavy bag or typing for long periods of time at a computer. In severe cases, pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands may disturb sleep.

Cubital tunnel syndrome is caused by irritation of the ulnar nerve, which passes over the elbow, and usually causes tingling or numbness in the ring and pinky fingers. This nerve may become irritated from leaning on the elbow or keeping the elbow bent for long periods of time.

However, these are not the only causes of tingling in fingers. A herniated disk can cause a burning, stabbing, or tingling feeling down the arm. Nerve damage caused by diabetes can also cause constant numbness and tingling in the feet, hands, and fingers.

When a patient comes to Sheltering Arms outpatient physical or occupational therapy with reports of a tingling in one hand, we first determine where the nerve is being pinched. The location of the tingling gives us the first clue as to where the problem is located. This information, along with the results of other special tests we complete, helps us identify where the nerve is being pinched. Once we know the origin of the tingling sensation, our therapists can begin treatment to reduce and hopefully eliminate the discomfort.

If you experience any of the above issues or have an impairment of the wrist or hand, click here to learn more about the types of physical therapy treatments we offer, or call us at (804) 764-1000 to schedule an appointment with one of our hand therapists.

Share This Post:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
RehaBlog

More Posts

5 Types of Adaptive Equipment for Individuals with Limb Loss

Navigating your home environment and daily life following limb loss can feel challenging at first. Fortunately, there is a robust market of adaptive equipment and assistive technology designed to make life safer, more accessible, and more efficient. Here are five key categories of adaptive equipment that can be highly beneficial following an amputation.

How to Prepare for Knee Replacement Surgery: 5 Ways to Support a Smoother Recovery

Preparing for a knee replacement involves more than scheduling surgery. The steps you take beforehand can make a real difference in how you move, feel, and recover afterward. Building strength, improving mobility, and knowing what to expect can help you go into surgery feeling more confident and better prepared. This approach is called prehabilitation, or prehab. Here are five ways to set yourself up for a smoother recovery after knee replacement.

How to Safely Exercise in the Summer Heat: 4 Essential Tips

Exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but during hot summers it can pose a health risk. If you are someone who prefers to exercise outdoors, it is important to follow precautions and know your risk. As we exercise, our muscles work and our core body temperature rises. Our circulatory system is responsible for transporting heat to the skin surface, which causes us to sweat. When it is hot and humid outside, our bodies cannot evaporate sweat as easily, trapping more heat in the body.

Connected Pain: How Your Neck May Be Causing Your Headaches

If you have ever dealt with nagging neck pain, you are far from alone. In fact, research shows that roughly half of us will experience a significant episode of neck pain at some point in our lives. Whether it stems from a sudden whiplash injury, age-related changes like arthritis, a pinched nerve, or simply the daily muscle strain of looking down at our phones or computer screens, neck pain is incredibly disruptive. It can present as a dull ache or a sharp, catching pain, and it often robs you of your ability to turn your head comfortably. But there is another common symptom of neck stiffness that surprises many people: headaches.

Occupational Therapy vs. Physical Therapy: What’s the Difference?

Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT) are distinct, separate professions, each requiring its own specialized education, licensing, and expertise. Because both fields share the ultimate goal of improving a patient’s independence and quality of life, their roles can sometimes seem to overlap.

Start your Journey

Learn more about Sheltering Arms Institute

Contact a specialist at Sheltering Arms Institute to learn more about how you can gain more freedom in your everyday life.