Why do we feel 'pins and needles'?

Pins and needles are exactly as the name suggests. It feels like someone is pricking our limbs with pins or needles. Also known as tingling, this is an abnormal, uncomfortable sensation affecting hands, arms, legs or feet. 

Tingling is often preceded or accompanied by a numb sensation. It results from some problem with our nerves supplying that specific area. Usually, this is reversible and nothing to worry about. But there are instances when a tingling feeling in the arms or legs indicates something worse.

We often feel pins and needles when lying or leaning on our arm or leg uncomfortably. This can cause nerve compression or hamper blood circulation. Without proper circulation, nerves are deprived of nutrients. The end result is the inability of the nerves to send regular signals, causing the affected part of the limb to go numb. People in wheelchairs or sedentary workers who sit for long periods without moving could experience this often.  

This type of compression is temporary. When we leave the uncomfortable position, the nerves start firing impulses again. However, following a period of inactivity, they may become hyperactive, causing too many impulses and giving rise to an uncomfortable sensation in the limbs. This is when we feel tingling or pins and needles.

Tingling is not that uncommon and goes away on its own after some time. However, in certain situations, the feelings may persist or happen frequently, which may be a manifestation of carpal tunnel syndrome or peripheral neuropathy. These are causes for concern. 

Peripheral neuropathy can result from many things, most commonly due to diabetes. This is an important cause for tingling. In addition, rheumatological and vascular diseases, kidney failure, alcoholism, and vitamin and mineral deficiency, e.g., vitamin B-12 or folic acid, can also give rise to peripheral neuropathy.

A common health problem producing tingling in the legs and feet is sciatica. This is due to damage to the sciatic nerve supplying those body parts. Central nervous system diseases are also responsible for creating pins and needles. Examples include multiple sclerosis, stroke, transient ischemic attack and other brain or spinal cord disorders. Tingling may be an adverse event for some medicines, especially cancer chemotherapy drugs. In some cases, it resolves once the chemotherapy is completed, but there are instances when it persists.

Chronic pins and needles are warning signs, especially when associated with muscle spasms or pain. If someone is experiencing it without any visible cause, it is imperative to consult a medical expert. Emergency medical help must be sought if the sensation is accompanied by paralysis, bladder dysfunction or muscle weakness. Symptoms like blurred vision, incoherence in speech, confusion, and impaired consciousness indicate central nervous system problems that also signal emergencies and need to be managed accordingly.

Doctors will try to find the underlying cause for any patient with pins and needles before deciding on a treatment plan. They may suggest imaging studies like MRI, X-ray, Electromyography (EMG), and blood tests. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, proper treatment can be instituted. This may be a long process, so it is crucial to be patient and understanding.

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