Numbness in the hands and feet: causes, symptoms and non-surgical treatment

Many people think numbness in the hands and feet is a minor problem, but it may actually be a sign of a condition affecting the nerves, muscles, tendons or spine that needs an accurate diagnosis. 

Numbness can feel different from person to person: pins and needles, as if being pricked by tiny needles; a thick, dull sensation; or even a temporary loss of feeling. These symptoms may simply be an early warning from your body to pay more attention to your health.

1. Adjust your posture and take breaks: 

• Avoid staying in the same position for long periods, such as sitting cross-legged or bending your wrists while using a mouse/keyboard. 
• Rest the affected limb regularly (e.g. every 30–60 minutes) and change position. 

2. Apply warmth: 
Use a hot pack or a towel soaked in warm water on the numb area, or where the nerve originates, such as the neck, shoulders or lower back, to relax the muscles and increase blood circulation. 

3. Gentle stretching exercises: 
If your symptoms are mild, try gently moving the affected joints, for example flexing your wrists up and down or rotating your ankles, to encourage nerve movement and reduce adhesions. 

4. Avoid triggers: 

• Keep underlying conditions under control, such as blood sugar levels for people with diabetes. 
• Eat foods containing B vitamins (B-complex), which help nourish the nervous system.

Our focus is on restoring nerve mobility and reducing compression. 

Reducing compression and inflammation 

• Modern physical therapy equipment, such as: 
• Focused shockwave therapy to stimulate new cell growth, release muscle knots or break down scar tissue constricting the nerves 
• Deep-heat ultrasound therapy, peripheral magnetic stimulation (PMS) or high-power laser therapy to reduce inflammation in the tissue around the nerves and speed up the repair process 
• Hot/cold compresses: to reduce swelling and increase local blood circulation 

Restoring nerve and muscle mobility 
Mobilisation or nerve gliding exercises: a specialised technique that helps "glide" or "stretch" the nerves so they can move freely without being stuck or compressed, clearly helping to reduce numbness. 
Stretching and trigger point release: the physical therapist will help stretch tight muscles in the neck, shoulders, arms, wrists, back and legs, where compression commonly occurs. 

Posture correction and strengthening exercise 
Posture and habit correction: the physical therapist will advise you on your posture at work, in daily life and while sleeping to prevent the nerves from being compressed again. Individual exercise: focuses on strengthening the muscles around the affected joints to support them and reduce the load on the nerves.

For chronic cases or slow recovery, treatment may be supplemented with specialist treatments such as: 

Dry needling to release muscle knots: releases the muscle knots (trigger points) that directly cause nerve compression and rebalances the nervous system to relieve numbness. 

Regenerative therapy injections for example prolotherapy (concentrated glucose) or concentrated plasma (PRP) injections, using ultrasound guidance (US-guided injection with prolotherapy), to speed up the repair of tissue, tendons and structures damaged by chronic injury, which are often the source of long-term compression. 

Medication and vitamin supplements (prescribed by a doctor) : where necessary, medication to reduce nerve pain or vitamin B-complex to nourish and restore damaged nerves may be prescribed alongside physical therapy.