It is a sensation of uncomfortable tingling or prickling, usually felt in the hands or feet. The effected area is sometimes said to have fallen asleep. The medical name for pins and needles is paraesthesia and it is caused bu blocked blood flow to a pressed nerve. Paraesthesia is a sign that sensory nerves in the area of the tingly sensation are being irritated (rather than motor nerves which control movement).

Pins and needles Causes

A common cause is leaning or lying awkwardly on a limb, which either presses against the nerves or reduces the blood supply to the local area. For example, if you sit too long in an awkward position, you may press hard enough on a nerve to interrupt its signaling to the brain, causing your feet to go numb or fall asleep.

Pins and needles prevention

Changing position quickly restores normal feeling. Any numbness is soon replaced by a tingling and prickling sensation, as the nerves start sending messages again to the brain and spinal cord.

The occasional bout of pins and needles is a harmless event. However,chronic pins and needles can be symptomatic of some other underlying disorder. Always see your doctor for a thorough medical treatments if you experience persistent of frequent episodes of numbness or pins and needles. Personal health care also play important to prevent pins and needles.