Numbness & Tingling Treatment

Numbness and Tingling Treatment in Lubbock, TX

Numbness, tingling, “pins and needles,” and burning sensations in the hands, arms, feet, or legs are more than just uncomfortable — they are warning signs that a nerve is not functioning correctly. At Back 2 Health Chiropractic in Lubbock, TX, Dr. Brett Chavez, D.C. specializes in identifying the source of nerve dysfunction and providing targeted, conservative treatment to restore normal nerve function and sensation.

Understanding Numbness and Tingling

These sensations are medically referred to as “paresthesia” — abnormal sensations caused by irritation, compression, or dysfunction of a nerve. The nature of the sensation gives clues to the nature of the problem:

• Pins and needles / tingling — often indicates intermittent or partial nerve compression
• Burning sensation — frequently associated with nerve inflammation or irritation
• Complete numbness — may indicate more significant nerve compression or damage
• Weakness accompanying numbness — suggests significant nerve root or peripheral nerve compression requiring prompt evaluation

Common Causes of Numbness and Tingling

Dr. Chavez evaluates each patient thoroughly to identify the specific cause of their symptoms. Common causes include:

Spinal Nerve Compression

When a herniated disc, bone spur, or misaligned vertebra presses on a nerve root in the cervical (neck) or lumbar (low back) spine, it produces paresthesia that follows a predictable pattern along the affected nerve’s distribution. Cervical nerve compression commonly produces symptoms in the shoulders, arms, and hands. Lumbar nerve compression produces symptoms in the buttocks, legs, and feet.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Compression of the median nerve at the wrist produces classic carpal tunnel symptoms — numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger, often worse at night or with repetitive hand use.

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Compression of nerves and blood vessels in the thoracic outlet (the space between the collarbone and first rib) can produce numbness and tingling throughout the arm and hand.

Sciatica

Compression of the sciatic nerve root in the lumbar spine produces sciatica — numbness, tingling, and pain that travels from the low back through the buttock and down the leg.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Neuropathy from diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, or other systemic causes can produce paresthesia, particularly in the feet and lower legs.

How Dr. Chavez Identifies the Cause

A thorough evaluation includes:

• Detailed health history — onset, location, distribution, and character of symptoms; medical history including diabetes, thyroid conditions, and medications
• Neurological examination — testing sensation, reflexes, and muscle strength in a systematic pattern to localize the level of nerve involvement
• Orthopedic testing — specific tests to reproduce and isolate nerve compression at different spinal levels or peripheral sites
• In-office X-rays — to assess spinal alignment, disc spaces, and foraminal openings

Treatment Options for Numbness and Tingling

Once the cause is identified, treatment is targeted directly at the source of nerve compression or irritation:

• Chiropractic adjustments — restoring normal spinal joint motion and alignment to reduce nerve root compression
• Spinal decompression therapy — for disc herniation and spinal stenosis causing nerve compression
• Dry needling — addressing myofascial trigger points that can entrap peripheral nerves
• Massage therapy — releasing soft tissue restrictions around entrapped peripheral nerves (e.g., carpal tunnel, thoracic outlet)
• Professional stretching — improving tissue mobility to reduce entrapment

When to Seek Immediate Care

While most cases of numbness and tingling have a musculoskeletal cause, some can indicate serious medical conditions requiring immediate attention. Seek emergency care if your numbness/tingling is accompanied by sudden severe headache, vision changes, facial drooping, slurred speech, or severe weakness — these may be signs of stroke. Numbness and weakness following trauma or injury should also be evaluated promptly.

Schedule Your Evaluation in Lubbock, TX

Don’t ignore numbness and tingling — find out what is causing it and fix it. Call Back 2 Health Chiropractic at (806) 425-5973 or request your appointment online today. Dr. Brett Chavez, D.C. will evaluate your nervous system comprehensively and develop an effective treatment plan.