Numbness of the hand is a symptom that many people have to face in daily life, particularly those who work in an office and have symptoms of office syndrome. Many people usually think that numbness of the hand is an ordinary matter that arises when we use the hand too much or lie on it. But in truth, numbness of the hand may be a warning signal of a health problem more serious than one thinks. This article will take you to understand the causes, the symptoms, and the ways of putting right numbness of the hand, so that you return to using your hand normally and have a better quality of life.
What is numbness of the hand?
The symptom of numbness of the hand is an abnormal feeling in the area of the hand or the fingers, which may have the character of numbness, a sharp tingling, a feeling as though needles were pricking, or the loss of some sensation, making it more difficult to hold things or to work. These symptoms may arise temporarily or chronically, depending on the cause of the problem.
What does numbness of the hand arise from?
The symptom of numbness of the hand can arise from many causes, from small matters through to serious health problems, particularly in office workers, who are at high risk of chronic numbness of the hand arising because they have to use the computer for a long time. Let us look at the causes of numbness of the hand met often.
Office Syndrome and the numbness of the hand met often in working people
Office Syndrome is a group of conditions arising from working in an office for a long time, and one of the symptoms met often is numbness of the hand, which usually arises from various behaviours, such as typing on the computer or having a way of holding the mouse continuously for a long time in an incorrect posture, using a mobile phone or a tablet in the same posture for a long time, as well as using a desk and a chair unsuited to the body, which results in pressure on the wrist and the nerves in the area of the hand.
The medical causes of the symptom of numbness of the hand
Besides the causes from the behaviour of work, numbness of the hand may arise from medical abnormality, which should receive correct examination, diagnosis, and treatment.
- Numbness arising from fascia in the muscle layer in the area of the neck, the upper back, and the arm (Myofascial Pain Syndrome)
- Numbness arising from fascia in the muscle layer in the area of the neck, the upper back, and the arm (Myofascial Pain Syndrome)
This is a state arising from the fascia, which is the connective tissue wrapping the muscle, becoming tight and losing its elasticity, so that tender points (Trigger Points) arise in the muscle. When the fascia is tight and the muscle is held in spasm, it compresses the nerves in the nearby area, resulting in numbness spreading to the hand and the arm.
- The nerve being compressed (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome)
This is a state in which the median nerve, which is an important nerve passing into the hand through the carpal tunnel, is compressed, giving rise to numbness in the thumb, the index finger, the middle finger, and half of the ring finger. It usually arises from using the wrist repeatedly, such as typing, and also includes other factors, such as pregnancy, diabetes, inflammation of the wrist, or abnormality of the thyroid gland.
- Degeneration of the peripheral nerves (Peripheral Neuropathy)
This is a state in which the peripheral nerves have degeneration, making the sending of the nerve current abnormal. Patients will have numbness at the ends of the hands and the feet; some may have a burning sensation, a sharp pain, or a feeling as though needles were pricking as well. The main cause of degeneration of the peripheral nerves comes from diabetes, as well as a lack of vitamins, chronic drinking of alcohol, and side effects from chemotherapy medicines.
- Problems at the cervical spine
A slipped or degenerated cervical disc can compress the nerve that goes to nourish the arm and the hand, giving rise to numbness in the arm and the hand, the position of the numbness depending on which nerve is compressed. The causes met often include an incorrect sitting position, using an unsuitable pillow, injury from an accident, as well as the cervical spine having degeneration with age.
How many kinds is numbness of the hand divided into, and how dangerous is each?
- Numbness of the hand from fascia in the muscle layer in the area of the neck, the upper back, and the arm has a medium level of danger, but if it is left without receiving treatment, the symptoms can become chronic.
- Numbness of the hand from lying or sitting on it (temporary) is a symptom that goes away by itself when the position is changed, with no other accompanying symptoms and a low level of danger.
- Numbness of the hand from a compressed nerve (chronic) has symptoms of pain or sharp tingling, with a medium level of danger. If it is left, permanent damage of the nerve may arise, and medical treatment must be received.
- Numbness of the hand from a disease of the nervous system: the symptoms may become worse and worse according to the underlying disease, with a high level of danger. A doctor must be seen in order to receive diagnosis and treatment of the disease that is the main cause.
- Numbness of the hand together with danger signals: there are symptoms of acute numbness of the hand together with other symptoms, such as weakness or a crooked face, which may be a signal of cerebrovascular disease, with a very high level of danger. One must go to hospital or call the emergency service at once.
The groups of people in whom numbness of the hand is met
The symptom of numbness of the hand can arise in every sex and age, but there are some groups at higher risk than ordinary people.
- The group of office workers
- Those in occupations that use the hands in work repeatedly, such as tailors, musicians, and beauticians
- Diabetic patients
- Older people, because of the degeneration of the bones and the joints with age, which makes compression of the nerves arise more easily
- Pregnant women
- Those who have certain underlying conditions, such as thyroid disease and rheumatoid arthritis
- Those who use a smartphone or a tablet too much
- Athletes of certain kinds, such as tennis players and golfers, who have to use the wrist in playing sport heavily and continuously
The treatment of the symptom of numbness of the hand
The symptom of numbness of the hand usually affects the carrying on of daily life. One should hurry to consult a doctor or find a way of putting right the symptom of numbness of the hand. The approaches to treatment are 2 approaches together, as follows.
Treatment by oneself
If you have the symptom of numbness of the hand, it can be relieved by easy methods without always having to rely on medical treatment. Try following these approaches in order to help reduce the symptoms and prevent them from coming back again.
- Stretch the muscles of the arm and the hand regularly
- Adjust the posture of working correctly, arranging the position of the keyboard, the mouse, and the height of the desk and chair suitably
- Use supplementary equipment, such as a wrist support, a pad, or an ergonomic keyboard
- Eat food that nourishes the nervous system, such as food containing vitamin B 12, omega-3, and magnesium
Treatment with rehabilitation medicine
If you have tried putting right numbness of the hand by yourself but still cannot relieve the symptoms, receiving treatment with rehabilitation medicine is another choice that should be considered, in order to restore the working of the hand so that it returns to normal effectively.
- Needling, or Western acupuncture (Dry Needling) is the use of a needle inserted into the tender points (Trigger Points) in the muscles of the arm, the wrist, and the hand that are held in spasm, in order to relieve the symptom of numbness of the hand, helping release the tightness, increase the circulation of blood, and reduce the compression of the nerves and the blood vessels
- Stimulation with electromagnetic waves (PMS) uses electromagnetic waves to stimulate the nerves and the muscles that have a problem, helping increase the circulation of blood, reduce inflammation, and stimulate the working of the nerves that are the cause of numbness of the hand
- Treatment with high-power laser light (High Power Laser) helps reduce inflammation, stimulate the circulation of blood, and hasten the repair of damaged nerves, and can therefore relieve the symptom of numbness of the hand effectively
- Treatment with shock waves (Shock Wave Therapy) helps stimulate the circulation of blood, reduce inflammation, and release the muscles that are compressing the nerve, particularly therapy with focused shock waves (Focused Shock Wave Therapy), which uses high-energy waves sent into the tissue with the problem precisely
- Carrying out Hydrodissection of the Perineural Hydrodissection kind is a treatment for numbness of the hand in which the doctor uses ultrasound to guide the injection of a solution (saline, or saline mixed with local anaesthetic) in between the nerve and the tissue compressing it, helping separate the nerve so that it is free from the fibrous tissue binding it tightly, reducing the inflammation, and increasing the circulation of blood
- Injecting steroid into the area where there is inflammation, such as the carpal tunnel in the case of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, in order to reduce the swelling and the inflammation, so that the pressure on the nerve is reduced
In summary
The symptom of numbness of the hand is a problem met often, particularly in the digital age in which we have to use the computer and the smartphone for a long time. Although it may look like a small matter, if it is left it may lead to serious health problems and affect the quality of life.
For those who have the symptom of numbness of the hand, PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic has a service of care and treatment by a team of specialist physicians, particularly for pain arising from the muscles and for office syndrome, which is an important factor in numbness of the hand. Contact us to receive advice from today.