Lower Back Pain - Neck Pain - Tingling - Numbness

Patients with neck or lower back pain may have tingling and/or or numbness due to irritation of the nerve roots in the neck or lower spine.

Tingling and/or numbness in the first three digits of the hand are related to C5 nerve root (thumb), C6 nerve root (index) and C7 nerve root (middle finger) involvement. Similar symptoms in the last two digits (inner aspect of the ring and little fingers) are related to C8 nerve root irritation.
It is essential to rule out presence of carpal tunnel syndrome with entrapment of the median nerve at the wrist that can give rise to tingling and numbness in the first three digits of the hand. With carpal tunnel syndrome, the symptoms are restricted to the fingers.

With C6 nerve root irritation, there will also be tingling and/or numbness at the back of the forearm. C5 nerve root irritation can cause tingling and/or numbness along the outer aspect of the arm.

Tingling and numbness in the last two digits can also be related to ulnar nerve irritation at the elbow level from chronic tendency to lean on the elbows or sleep on the arm. Although there may be numbness along the inner and lower third of the back of the forearm with ulnar nerve irritation, there will not be symptoms in the inner aspect of the front of the forearm. If this region is tingling is numb, consider also involvement of the T1 nerve root.
Tingling and numbness in the foot in the region of the first three toes can be related to L5 nerve root irritation. The numbness may also involve the top of the foot and the outer aspect of the front of the leg. However, irritation of the peroneal nerve can also give rise to the same symptoms.

The peroneal nerve can be compressed either at the knee from tendency to cross legs habitually during sitting. The other common level where the peroneal nerve can be irritated is at the front of the ankle from tendency to cross the ankles during sitting or in bed. In this situation, the numbness may be related only to the first web space between the big toe and the second toe.
If the symptoms of tingling numbness are in the last two toes, irritation of the S1 nerve root need to be considered. The symptoms may also be felt in the sole of the foot. These same symptoms may be noted with irritation of the tibial nerve at the inner aspect of the ankle due to presence of tarsal tunnel syndrome.

However with S1 nerve root irritation, there will also be symptoms in the heel whereas in tarsal tunnel syndrome, there will be no symptoms of tingling and numbness in the heel.
The cause of the tingling or numbness must be evaluated by a physician. If conservative treatment is to be taken, massage is helpful. In the early stages, symptoms of tingling and numbness may be relieved by immediately massaging the muscles frequently as many times as possible every day.

Selective activation of muscles using eToims Twitch Relief Method can aid the recovery of the nerves and completely eliminate the tingling and numbness if the treatment can be done as soon as possible after the symptoms arise, preferably within 24 hours.