Numbness and Tingling in Oakville: Understanding the Causes and Getting Assessed

Numbness and tingling are sensations that can come from many different sources, including pressure on a nerve, nutrient or blood sugar imbalances, circulation changes and conditions that affect the nerves themselves. At Inside Health Clinic in Oakville, our practitioners start with a thorough naturopathic assessment to look for the factors that may be contributing in your case, then build a supportive plan around what we find.

What Can Cause Numbness and Tingling?

Medical references describe a wide range of possible contributors. Some are mechanical, such as a nerve being compressed or injured. Others are related to the body’s overall health. Commonly listed contributors include:

• Blood sugar imbalance and diabetes. Diabetes is the most commonly cited cause of nerve changes in the hands and feet.
• Nutrient imbalances. Low vitamin B12 is one example. Too much vitamin B6 has also been linked to nerve symptoms.
• Nerve pressure or injury. This can include spinal changes, repetitive strain or past trauma.
• Circulation changes that affect blood supply to the nerves.
• Thyroid, kidney or liver conditions and other hormonal or metabolic factors.
• Autoimmune conditions and some infections.
• Certain medications, including some chemotherapy drugs, and alcohol or toxin exposure.

Because so many factors are possible, the same symptom can have a very different story from one person to the next. That is why we look at the whole picture rather than guessing. (Sources: NINDS, Mayo Clinic.)

When Might Numbness or Tingling Be Nerve-Related?

When symptoms involve the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, the term used is peripheral neuropathy. Patterns that people often describe include:

• Tingling, prickling or “pins and needles” in the feet or hands that comes on gradually
• A feeling of wearing gloves or socks when you are not
• Burning, sharp or jabbing sensations
• Sensitivity to light touch or temperature changes
• Muscle weakness or changes in balance

If this sounds familiar, our dedicated neuropathy page explains the different types of neuropathy and how our clinic supports people living with them.

What Does Our Assessment Look At?

Your visit begins with a conversation about when the symptoms started, where you feel them, what makes them better or worse, your health history, your current medications and your day-to-day habits. Depending on what you tell us, the assessment may include:

• A naturopathic assessment of your symptoms, nutrition, digestion, lifestyle and stress
• Comprehensive blood work to look at areas such as blood sugar, vitamin and nutrient status, thyroid, kidney and liver markers
• A review of the areas where you feel symptoms

Therapies We May Recommend

Every plan is individual. Based on your assessment, we may recommend one or more of the following to support your comfort:

• Laser therapy, which uses focused light in the area of concern
• PEMF therapy (pulsed electromagnetic field sessions)
• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic care, when appropriate after your assessment, as part of a supportive plan
• Spinal decompression, when appropriate after your assessment, as part of a supportive plan
• Clinical supplementation chosen for your history and lab findings
• IV therapy, when appropriate after your assessment

Our care is supportive. We do not promise specific results, and individual experiences vary.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

1. Reach out. Use our Contact Us page or call 905-842-6654 and tell us about your symptoms.
2. Share your story. We take a detailed history so nothing is overlooked.
3. Assessment and testing. We decide together which tests, such as blood work, make sense for you.
4. Your plan. We explain what we found and outline supportive options and next steps in plain language.

Frequently Asked Questions About Numbness and Tingling

Why do my hands or feet feel numb or tingly?

Numbness and tingling can result from nerve pressure, blood sugar changes, nutrient imbalances, circulation changes, hormonal or metabolic factors and other causes. An assessment that looks at your history and lab results helps clarify which factors may apply to you.

Is numbness and tingling the same as neuropathy?

Not always. Neuropathy refers to changes involving the peripheral nerves, and numbness or tingling is one of its common signs. The same sensations can also come from other sources, so a full assessment is useful. See our neuropathy page for more.

What tests might be part of my assessment?

That depends on your symptoms and history. Many people start with a naturopathic assessment and blood work, which can look at blood sugar, vitamin and nutrient status, thyroid, kidney and liver markers.

Can supplements help with numbness and tingling?

Targeted nutrients may be part of a supportive plan when your assessment points to a need. Choices and doses are individual, because too much of some vitamins, such as B6, has itself been linked to nerve symptoms.

Are chiropractic care or spinal decompression part of your approach to numbness and tingling?

When appropriate after your assessment, chiropractic care and spinal decompression may be included as part of a supportive plan. Whether they fit depends on your history and findings, and we do not promise specific results.

How do I book an assessment at Inside Health Clinic?

Use our Contact Us page or call 905-842-6654. We are located at 2486 Old Bronte Rd #107, Oakville, Ontario.

Emergency: If you have sudden weakness or paralysis, trouble speaking, chest pain, trouble breathing or loss of bladder or bowel control, go to an emergency department or call 911.

References

• NINDS: Peripheral Neuropathy
• Mayo Clinic: Peripheral Neuropathy, Symptoms and Causes

This page is for general information and is not a diagnosis. Individual experiences vary.