What Would Cause My Finger to Tingle?

By Liz Brabston, PTA

What Would Cause My Finger to Tingle?

Have you ever had tingling in your fingers and wondered what was causing it? There are multiple reasons someone can have tingling in their fingers. From carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical disc problems, repetitive stress injuries, shoulder injuries, or even poor posture, the list of potential causes goes on. Tingling in your fingers is an abnormal sensation that is often described as pins and needles. This article will cover these reasons and why they can cause your finger(s) to tingle, and what to do if you are experiencing tingling in your fingers.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

In your hand, there is a tunnel where multiple nerves pass through to control movement and feeling in your hand and fingers. If this tunnel has a lot of pressure applied to it, it can pinch the nerve and cause a lack of blood flow which causes tingling in your fingers.  Positioning your hands in a way that will avoid them being bent when typing or using your phone is a great way to avoid putting pressure on the carpal tunnel.

Cervical Disc Problems

Herniated discs, cervical spondylosis, or nerve entrapments are a few issues related to your cervical spine that can cause tingling in your fingers. A herniated disc occurs when the outer layer of the disc bulges out and extends into the spinal canal. This applies pressure to the nerves in your spine, which can cause tingling in your fingers. Cervical spondylosis is a degenerative disease. It causes the disc to shrink, which applies pressure to the nerves causing pins and needles or numbness-like feeling.

Repetitive Stress Injuries and Nerve Entrapment

Repetitive stress injuries can occur when a movement is repeated over and over again. This causes stress on joints, tendons, and muscles. For example, while throwing a ball, the elbow is repeatedly bent, which eventually causes stress on the joint. This stress can lead to nerve entrapment, such as the ulnar nerve, which leads to tingling in the pinky and ring fingers.

What Would Cause My Finger to Tingle? Posture and Position of Shoulder           

The position of the shoulder can also cause tingling in your fingers. A bundle of nerves that are referred to as the brachial plexus passes under the clavicle. It passes on to the axilla (armpit) and supplies sensation to the upper arm. Poor posture with shoulders and head in a forward position or sleeping with your arm above your head can cause pressure to the brachial plexus, resulting in tingling in your fingers.

How to Stop Tingling in Your fingers

If you are experiencing tingling in your finger(s), try rearranging your sleeping position to your back to avoid pressure while you sleep. If you sit at a computer all day, you can reposition your devices to eye level and keep your wrist in a neutral position to avoid pressure on the brachial plexus. You can also perform the following exercises at home for postural strengthening to decrease the forward shoulder and head posture:

• Retro shoulder rolls.
• Scapula retraction in sitting and on stomach with resistance bands.
• Resistance shoulder extension.
• Doorway Stretch.

If the tingling in your fingers continues, call JOI-2000 today to schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists.

By: Liz Brabston