Maybe you turned your head at an awkward angle to look at something and felt a jolt go through your neck and arm. Or perhaps you slept in an awkward position and woke up with numbness and tingling in your arm. “Tweaks” like these can cause inflammation. Pressure from inflamed tissues can irritate the nerves in the neck and cause numbness and tingling in the arm. Rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medication may help. There should be improvement within a few days.
If your symptoms are not resolving within a few days, your numbess and tingling may be a symptom of something else.
Common Causes of Numbness in the Arm
Some commonly experienced causes of persistent numbness and tingling in the arm include:
- Herniated discs
- Pinched nerves in the arm or hand
- Peripherial neuropathy
- Musculoskeletal dysfunction
- Stress or anxiety
**Sudden, unexplained numbness in one or both arms, when combined with other symptoms, can be a sign of a heart attack or stroke. If this happens, seek immediate medical care.**
Treatment Options
There can be several different causes for numbness felt in the neck and arm, and it’s important to get the correct diagnosis before starting any treatment plan.
Conservative treatments might include:
- Physical therapy
- Injections
- Medications
- Wearing a soft neck brace
For more severe cases, surgery may be recommended.
When to Visit a Specialists
If you’ve been experiencing numbness or weakness in the arm which hasn’t improved in a relatively short time, it’s best to consult with a physician who specializes in neck injuries. Don’t wait; there are several conditions that can become more aggravated over time and early treatment can resolve the issue or prevent the damage from becoming worse.