"Pins and needles," or temporary Ppresthesia, is the numbness you feel in any part of your body that has had the blood circulation cut off. A prickly sensation in the affected limb makes you feel as if you are getting stuck with pins and needles--hence the common name of this condition. On the blood supply returning, the pricking feeling gradually diminishes and the affected limb feels normal once again. Standing, sitting or lying down in one position for too long may bring about pins and needles, as will too much typing or holding the phone handset too long.
Instructions
1. Allow the pressure to be relieved from the affected limb. If you have been lying on your arm or leg and it has pins and needles, roll over onto your other side to allow the blood to circulate in the affected arm or leg.
2. Shake the affected limb until the feeling comes back. If it is your arm, shake it down by your side to allow gravity to help the circulation. Avoid raising your arm above your head and shaking it as the blood has to travel "uphill."
3. Note that menopause often makes the skin tingle and produces a prickly sensation. This condition is normal and nothing to be concerned about. The normal passage of time eases these strange feelings.
4. Reposition the affected limb. When this is done the feeling should return within a few minutes. Prolonged tingling feelings and pins and needles may be a sign of a condition such as a heart problem or a pinched nerve--and this warrants a trip to your doctor.
5. Allow a few minutes to elapse for the limb to return to normal. If the limb remains numb it is quite feasible that something more serious is affecting the limb. Make an appointment with your family physician who will evaluate your symptoms and provide a proper diagnosis.
Tags: affected limb, more serious, prickly sensation, side allow