What Is Paresthesia?
Paresthesia is an unusual skin sensation that occurs without an obvious outside trigger. People may describe paresthesia as tingling, prickling, burning, numbness, or a feeling of pins and needles. The sensation may affect an arm, leg, hand, foot, or another area. Paresthesia can relate to temporary nerve pressure or ongoing nerve irritation.
Quick Facts About Paresthesia
Category
Sensory nerve symptom
Used for
Describing abnormal skin sensations
Common confusion
Tingling is not always complete numbness
Also called
Pins and needles, Tingling
Often discussed with
Neuropathy Treatment
Key Takeaways About Paresthesia
- Paresthesia describes sensation changes, not a specific disease.
- The affected area and symptom pattern help guide further assessment.
- Paresthesia is not always the same as complete loss of feeling.
How Paresthesia Works
Paresthesia reflects altered nerve signaling that changes how the brain receives information from the skin or deeper tissues. Pressure on a nerve may create a brief tingling feeling, while irritation along a nerve pathway may produce symptoms that continue or travel through an area. The sensation can vary in intensity and character.
Related glossary terms: Radiculopathy, Nerve Root Compression, Nerve Conduction Study.
Clinicians consider the location, quality, pattern, and triggers of the sensation during an assessment. A person may report prickling in the hand, burning in the foot, or numbness along part of an arm. Neuropathy describes a broader group of nerve problems, while paresthesia names the sensory experience itself. A nerve conduction study may be used in some medical evaluations to examine how signals move through nerves.
From the Arrowhead Clinic Chiropractor Newnan team
When we assess paresthesia, we ask where the sensation occurs and how it changes with movement, posture, or activity. We also consider related findings, such as altered strength or restricted motion, and document patterns that may help guide care or referral.
Paresthesia in Practice: A Real-World Example
A person with nerve irritation near the lower back may notice tingling that travels into the outer leg and foot. During Neuropathy Treatment, the symptom pattern helps the care team understand which areas require closer attention.
Related Services
Related Terms
Radiculopathy
A radiculopathy is a condition caused by irritation or compression of a spinal nerve root. The…
Nerve Root Compression
Nerve Root Compression is pressure on a spinal nerve root where it leaves the spinal cord…
Nerve Conduction Study
A nerve conduction study is a diagnostic test that measures how electrical signals travel through a…
Median Nerve
The median nerve is a peripheral nerve that travels from the neck through the arm and…
Arrowhead Clinic Chiropractor Newnan
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