Is That Pins and Needles Sensation Trying to Tell You Something?
We’ve all had an arm or leg fall asleep while we’re sitting in an awkward position, which is nothing to worry about. However, when those pins and needles keep returning even when you haven’t been sitting improperly, it’s usually a sign that something else is going on.
The most obvious explanation for numbness or tingling in the arms or legs is a herniated disc (also known as a pinched nerve). This condition occurs when one of the soft, cushiony discs in the spine bulges out and irritates a nearby nerve root, and it’s something the team at Optimum Health & Wellness regularly helps people manage.
However, herniated discs aren’t the only cause of tingling. These pins-and-needles-type symptoms can be linked to several other conditions that affect the nerves, muscles, or circulation.
Fortunately, like a herniated disc, these conditions often respond well to physical therapy, too. The key is to identify the true source of your symptoms so you can receive a customized treatment plan.
Additional Causes of Numbness or Tingling You Should Know
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy occurs when the nerves in your extremities become damaged, often due to diabetes, injury, or other underlying medical conditions. In addition to numbness and tingling, you might also notice reduced sensation or muscle weakness. If it affects your legs, you might also have trouble with balance.
While physical therapy can’t reverse nerve damage, our team can help you improve strength and walking patterns to reduce the risk of falls.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome develops when the median nerve becomes compressed as it passes through a narrow space in the wrist called the carpal tunnel. You’ll generally notice numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, or middle finger, along with reduced grip strength.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
This condition is similar to carpal tunnel syndrome, except it affects the ulnar nerve, which travels along the inside of the elbow and can become irritated by repeated bending or prolonged pressure. Symptoms will appear in your ring and little finger.
Physical therapy is considered a frontline treatment for both carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndrome, helping to restore smooth nerve movement, reduce nerve pressure, and improve hand strength and function before symptoms become too severe.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Thoracic outlet syndrome occurs when nerves become compressed between the neck and the shoulder. Your symptoms will travel down the arm, and you might also experience arm fatigue or shoulder or neck pain.
Finding Relief with Physical Therapy
As you can see, numbness and tingling can point to several different conditions. Effective treatment starts with identifying the condition that’s currently affecting you, which is why your first appointment at Optimum Health & Wellness will always include a detailed evaluation.
And because the source of numbness or tingling isn’t always the affected area, we always take a full-body approach that looks beyond your symptoms. You can expect:
- A discussion about when symptoms started and what makes them better or worse
- Strength and mobility testing
- Sensation testing
- Reflex testing
- Movement assessment of the neck, back, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, or legs as appropriate
- Functional testing based on your daily activities and goals
A Treatment Plan Tailored to Your Needs
Depending on the underlying condition, your plan of care may include:
- Hands-on techniques to improve joint and soft tissue mobility when appropriate
- Targeted exercises to improve nerve mobility and reduce irritation
- Strengthening exercises to improve support around affected joints
- Balance and coordination training if your symptoms affect your lower body
- Learning position variety and movement habits to reduce stress on sensitive nerves
- Activity modifications that reduce symptom flare-ups while keeping you active
- Information about your condition and what you can do to manage it
Don’t Ignore Persistent Symptoms
Occasional pins and needles after sitting in one position is common. It’s when those sensations recur, spread, or start to interfere with daily activities that you’ll want the Optimum Health & Wellness team to take a look. Through our personalized, one-on-one approach to physical therapy, we work to identify the cause of your symptoms and develop a treatment plan that helps you move with greater comfort and confidence.
If numbness or tingling has become part of your daily life, don’t wait to see if it improves on its own. Schedule an initial evaluation with us today to take the first step toward lasting relief and function.
Sources: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1508604/full, https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/a-1498-3197
Advanced EMG & NCS Diagnostic Testing Clinic Coming July 27-29
If you’ve been dealing with numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, radiating pain, or unexplained changes in sensation, getting the right diagnosis is the first step toward finding the right treatment.
From July 27 through July 29, Optimum Health & Wellness is pleased to welcome Nathan Shields, PT, ECS, for a special EDX (Electrodiagnostic) Clinic offering Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS). These specialized diagnostic tests evaluate how your nerves and muscles are functioning and can help identify conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, pinched nerves, peripheral neuropathy, radiculopathy, and other neuromuscular disorders.
Appointments are limited, so if your provider has recommended EMG or NCS testing, or you’re searching for answers to persistent symptoms, now is the perfect time to schedule. Call (907) 225-7808 to reserve your appointment.
Exercise of the Month
Prone Shoulder Extension
(Shoulders, Upper Back)
Start by lying facedown on a table. Place a rolled towel under your forehead. Hold the dumbbell in one hand. Position yourself so that the arm holding the dumbbell is hanging off the table. Move your shoulder that is hanging off the table upwards slightly so that your shoulders are in line with each other. Keeping your arm straight during the movement, raise the dumbbell straight back so that at the top of the movement, your arm is parallel with your body. Lower the dumbbell back to the starting position with control. 3 Sets, 10 Reps. (Materials needed: towel, dumbbell)
Getting Answers with EMG/NCS Testing
One of the ways the Optimum Health & Wellness team can help you understand numbness, tingling, or related symptoms is through EMG and NCS testing, two simple processes that provide valuable information about how your nerves and muscles are functioning, helping guide the next step in your care.
What Is EMG/NCS Testing?
EMG and NCS are two diagnostic tests that evaluate the health of your nerves and muscles. We usually perform them together, and most sessions will last between 30 and 90 minutes.
Nerve Conduction Studies
NCS testing measures how quickly electrical signals travel through your nerves. During the test, we place small electrodes on your skin to deliver mild electrical impulses. The speed and strength of the nerve’s response can help identify whether a nerve has been compressed or irritated, or if it’s struggling to send messages normally.
Electromyography
EMG testing evaluates the electrical activity within your muscles to identify signs of nerve or muscle dysfunction. It involves inserting a very thin needle electrode into selected muscles to measure their electrical activity both at rest and during gentle movement, helping determine whether symptoms are related to the muscle itself or the nerves that control it.
What Conditions Can These Tests Help Diagnose?
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Herniated discs
- Muscle disorders
- Nerve injuries or compression
Uncover the Root of Your Symptoms
Effective care starts with an accurate diagnosis, and EMG/NCS testing plays an important role in that process. Reach out to Optimum Health & Wellness today to learn more.
Call Optimum Health & Wellness for Personalized Support
Want to reduce stress on your shoulders throughout the day? Our physical therapists offer personalized ergonomic evaluations and movement strategies to help you feel and function better. Call today to schedule your visit.
Sources: https://www.osha.gov/etools/electrical-contractors/supplemental-information/solutions/tasks-arm, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8959976/
Introducing the Limber Lounge
Move easier, feel better, and give your body the attention it deserves with The Limber Lounge, a new wellness service at Optimum Health & Wellness! Designed for people of all activity levels, our one-on-one assisted stretching sessions help improve flexibility, reduce muscle tension, and support better movement in everyday life.
Unlike stretching on your own, each 25-minute session is guided by a trained stretching specialist who tailors every stretch to your unique needs. Whether you’re recovering from a workout, feeling stiff after long days at work, or simply looking to move more comfortably, the Limber Lounge offers a relaxing, personalized experience focused on helping you feel your best.
Appointments are available now, with single sessions and package options to fit your wellness goals. Call (907) 225-7808 or stop by Optimum Health & Wellness to learn more and book your first stretch session!
Staff Spotlight
Jenny Lichti
PT
Jenny Lichti is a dedicated physical therapist with over seven years of experience as a traveling PT, bringing a diverse clinical background and a patient-centered approach to every setting she serves. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and has worked across multiple states, gaining valuable insight into a wide range of patient populations and care environments.
Jenny is passionate about providing individualized, compassionate care that empowers patients to achieve their goals. She believes strongly that each patient is more than a number, and she strives to create an empathetic and supportive environment where people feel heard, motivated, and equipped to succeed in their recovery.
Her professional mission is rooted in improving the quality of care within the healthcare system, particularly by advocating for meaningful, patient-focused treatment over productivity-driven models. She is driven by values of compassion, curiosity, and continuous learning, always seeking to grow both personally and professionally.
Originally from the Bay Area, Jenny enjoys spending her time outside of work reading, baking, crafting, and exploring the outdoors. She is inspired by the belief that “you only fail when you stop trying,” a mindset she brings into both her life and her work with patients every day.
Crispy Sweet Chili Chicken
Crispy chicken pieces tossed in a sticky, sweet chili glaze that’s ready before the rice cooker finishes.
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast or chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp sea salt flakes
- ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 egg
- ½ cup cornstarch
- Oil, for frying
Sweet Chili Sauce
- 1 tsp freshly minced garlic
- 1 tsp freshly minced ginger
- ½ cup sweet chili sauce
- ¼ cup all-purpose soy sauce
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar or lime juice
To Serve
- Steamed rice
- 1 scallion, finely sliced
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
Instructions:
- Coat the chicken – Place the chicken in a large bowl with the sweet paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, egg and cornflour. Mix the chicken well until the other ingredients form a paste around it. Set aside.
- Combine the sauce ingredients – To make the sauce, combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Brown the chicken – Heat the oil over medium–high heat in a large, deep, heavy-based frying pan. Cook the chicken for 5–6 minutes or until it is cooked through and golden all over, turning once halfway through. Set aside on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
- Drain the oil from the frying pan and wipe the pan clean.
- Cook the chicken in the sauce – Heat the pan over medium–low heat and add the sauce. Stir for 2–3 minutes until the sauce begins to bubble gently and thicken. Turn the heat off and return the chicken to the pan, stirring so that it is evenly coated in the sauce.
- Serve – Serve the chicken immediately, heaped on top of steamed rice. Top with finely sliced spring onion and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
- Optional: Add 1–2 tablespoons of boiling water (from the kettle) to the bottom of the pan once the chicken has been removed. Use a spoon to stir the water into the remaining sauce and use this extra sauce to pour over the completed dish.
