Numbness and Tingling in Your Feet: When Could It Be Neuropathy?
Have you ever felt like your foot has "fallen asleep" even though you haven't been sitting in an awkward position? Maybe you notice pins and needles in your toes, areas of numbness, burning sensations, or unusual feelings that seem to come and go.
Occasional tingling in the feet can happen for many reasons. But when numbness or tingling becomes persistent, keeps returning, or begins interfering with walking, sleeping, or everyday activities, it may be time to have it evaluated.
One possible cause is peripheral neuropathy, a condition involving damage or dysfunction of the peripheral nerves. At The Arthritis Laser Treatment Center in Honolulu, Dr. Jeremy Alosa, our Honolulu chiropractor evaluates patients experiencing numbness, tingling, burning, and other unusual sensations and provides conservative treatment options based on each patient's individual needs.
What Does Numbness and Tingling in the Feet Feel Like?
Nerve-related symptoms aren't always experienced as traditional "pain."
Some people describe:
Pins and needles
Partial or complete numbness
Burning sensations
Electrical or buzzing feelings
Sharp or shooting pain
Increased sensitivity to touch
Feet that feel unusually hot or cold
Reduced sensation in the toes
A feeling that you're wearing socks even when you're barefoot
Symptoms may be mild at first and become more noticeable over time. They may affect both feet or be more noticeable on one side.
Some people also notice their symptoms more at night when they're trying to sleep.
Could Numbness and Tingling Be Peripheral Neuropathy?
Yes. Numbness and tingling in the feet are commonly associated with peripheral neuropathy.
The peripheral nerves carry information between your brain and spinal cord and the rest of your body. When these nerves become damaged or don't function normally, the signals traveling through them can be disrupted.
This can result in numbness, tingling, burning, pain, weakness, changes in coordination, and other unusual sensations. Peripheral neuropathy frequently affects the feet and legs, although symptoms can also occur in the hands and arms.
However, numbness and tingling do not automatically mean you have peripheral neuropathy.
There are multiple possible causes of these symptoms, which is why an appropriate evaluation is important.
What Causes Peripheral Neuropathy in the Feet?
Peripheral neuropathy isn't a single disease with a single cause.
Nerve problems can be associated with a variety of underlying conditions and circumstances, including:
Diabetes
Physical injuries
Autoimmune conditions
Certain infections
Some medications
Nutritional deficiencies
Inherited disorders
Other medical conditions
In some cases, the cause isn't immediately identifiable.
Because there are so many possible causes, treatment shouldn't begin with the assumption that every person experiencing numbness or tingling has the same problem.
Is Diabetes the Only Cause of Neuropathy?
No.
Diabetes is strongly associated with peripheral neuropathy, and diabetic neuropathy frequently affects the legs and feet. But diabetes is only one potential cause of nerve symptoms.
If you're experiencing persistent numbness or tingling and don't have diabetes, that doesn't mean your symptoms should be ignored.
An evaluation can help determine whether your symptoms may be associated with peripheral neuropathy or whether another condition should be investigated.
Why Do My Feet Tingle More at Night?
Some people with peripheral neuropathy report that burning, tingling, or other uncomfortable sensations become particularly noticeable at night.
When you're busy during the day, you're surrounded by movement, sound, and other sensations. Once you're lying quietly in bed, abnormal sensations can become much harder to ignore.
If tingling, burning, or nerve pain is regularly interfering with your sleep, it's worth discussing the symptoms with a healthcare professional.
When Should I Be Concerned About Numbness in My Feet?
Temporary tingling after sitting in an awkward position or putting pressure on a nerve is common.
Persistent or recurring symptoms are different.
Consider scheduling an evaluation if you experience:
Numbness that doesn't go away
Tingling that keeps returning
Burning sensations in your feet
Increasing sensitivity
Reduced sensation in your toes or feet
Muscle weakness
Difficulty walking
Problems with balance
Symptoms that interfere with sleep
Symptoms that are becoming progressively worse
Sudden weakness, significant loss of coordination, rapidly developing symptoms, or other concerning neurological changes may require prompt medical evaluation.
Can Neuropathy Affect Your Balance?
It can.
Your ability to walk and balance depends partly on receiving accurate sensory information from your feet and legs. When sensation is reduced or altered, some people may have greater difficulty knowing exactly where their feet are positioned.
Peripheral neuropathy can also be associated with weakness or changes in coordination. The Arthritis Laser Treatment Center identifies balance difficulties among the symptoms that can occur with peripheral neuropathy.
If numbness or tingling is beginning to affect the way you walk or your ability to maintain balance, don't simply dismiss it as a normal part of getting older.
How Is Numbness and Tingling Evaluated?
An evaluation generally begins with understanding your symptoms and health history.
Important questions can include:
Where do you experience numbness or tingling?
When did it begin?
Is it constant or intermittent?
Does anything make it better or worse?
Do you also experience burning or pain?
Have you noticed weakness or balance problems?
Do you have diabetes or another medical condition?
Have you experienced a previous injury?
What treatments have you already tried?
Depending on the suspected cause, additional medical evaluation or testing may be appropriate.
At The Arthritis Laser Treatment Center, Dr. Alosa evaluates each patient's symptoms and history to determine whether the conservative therapies available at the Honolulu office may be appropriate. When necessary, patients may also be encouraged to seek care from another healthcare provider.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Neuropathy Symptoms
There isn't one treatment that's appropriate for every person experiencing peripheral neuropathy.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause, the nerves affected, severity of the symptoms, medical history, and other individual factors.
At The Arthritis Laser Treatment Center, conservative treatment recommendations may include therapies such as Hako Med Horizontal Therapy, laser therapy, chiropractic care, or other approaches when appropriate.
Hako Med Horizontal Therapy
Hako Med Horizontal Therapy is a non-invasive form of electrotherapy available at The Arthritis Laser Treatment Center in Honolulu.
Dr. Alosa may consider Hako Med as part of a treatment plan for certain patients experiencing chronic pain or neuropathy-related symptoms. Whether the treatment is appropriate depends on the individual patient's symptoms, condition, and medical history.
Laser Therapy
Therapeutic laser treatment is another non-invasive option available at the Honolulu office.
Laser therapy uses specific wavelengths of light applied to targeted areas of the body. Depending on the patient's condition and evaluation, Dr. Alosa may consider laser therapy as part of a broader conservative treatment approach.
Not every person experiencing numbness or tingling will be an appropriate candidate for these treatments, which is why evaluation comes first.
Don't Ignore Persistent Numbness and Tingling
It's easy to dismiss occasional pins and needles. But symptoms that persist, return frequently, or gradually worsen deserve attention.
Understanding why your feet are numb or tingling is the first step toward determining what treatment, if any, may be appropriate.
If you're experiencing persistent numbness, tingling, burning, or other unusual sensations in your feet, The Arthritis Laser Treatment Center can evaluate your symptoms and help you better understand your options.
Schedule a Peripheral Neuropathy Evaluation in Honolulu
The Arthritis Laser Treatment Center provides conservative care for patients experiencing symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy, including numbness, tingling, burning feet, nerve pain, weakness, and balance difficulties.
If these symptoms are affecting your sleep, mobility, or daily activities, consider scheduling an evaluation with Dr. Jeremy Alosa in Honolulu.
Call 808-596-4800 to schedule an appointment and learn more about peripheral neuropathy treatment options in Honolulu.
Comments