What causes numbness and the tingling in the upper or lower limbs?

Pain or a “Pins and needles” sensation can sometimes be present in the arms, hands, legs, or feet. There are many items that cause these symptoms, including:

1. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
2. A pinched nerve in neck or in the lower back.
3. Peripheral nerve damage.
4. A herniated or inflamed disc in the back can irritate or compress a nerve that travels into the arm or leg, and thereby produce symptoms of pain, numbness, or tingling.

The symptoms can sometimes go from one extremity to another, seeming like the leg pain changes arms or legs. Although this may cause alarm, there are many non–surgical treatment options available.

How can steroids be helpful?

Steroids are very effective in decreasing swelling and inflammation in the body. Often steroid injections are used to “Cool off” inflammation in a joint or in the spine around a disc. This is a very effective treatment method with few side effects. Many patients ask about the potential risks or side effects of steroid use. While it is true that long term repetitive use of steroids over many years can increase the risk of side effects, short term cortisone use in the form of injections or oral medications is thought to be relatively safe with hardly any side effects or problems.

Are there any non–surgical treatment of back pain?

Surgery is a treatment of the last resort. Most back pain can be treated successfully, non–surgically. Only when all the above treatment options fail, is surgery a consideration. Most back pain can be treated non–surgically. There are a variety of treatment options that are available. Here are steps you can take on your own to alleviate pain, as well as a few guidelines to prevent further pain.
Medications
Medications can be very helpful in the initial treatment of back and neck pain. Three types of medications are often utilized in treating both acute and chronic pain. They can be used in combination or by themselves.
Anti–inflammatory medications
These help to decrease the swelling and inflammation in the spine. They also promote healing.
Muscle relaxants
These help the muscles to relax and also decrease muscle tension and spasm.
Analgesic medications
These are used exclusively for acute pain.
Physical therapy/rehabilitation
Physical therapy is an important component in the treatment and prevention of back pain. The initial treatment ranges from passive modalities such as ultrasound to back school and spinal stabilization classes. The second phase focuses on flexibility and strengthening, conditioning exercises, and muscle endurance training.
Exercise
Exercise can be the key to your recovery, as well as a good prevention against future pain.
Injections
There are four basic injections used in the treatment of Back pain

• Joint Injections.
• Trigger point injections.
• Epidural steroid injection.
• Therapeutic spine injections.