Numbness, Pain, and Tingling in the Left Arm: Common Causes, Treatment, & Exercises

Tingling in left arm

Tingling in the left arm can be a temporary condition that will resolve itself over time. But it may be a symptom of some serious health issue, too.

The tingling sensation may often get ignored and considered as an outcome of excess workout, fatigue, or muscle spasm. However, left arm tingling can also be a symptom of heart attack (1). It may also be due to musculoskeletal conditions, blood vessel disorders, or nerve-related disorders.

This article discusses the possible causes, treatments and home remedies to get rid of pain, numbness and tingling sensation in your left arm.

Also Read: Lower Left Back Pain: Causes, Symptoms and Natural Treatments

What Causes Tingling in the Left Arm?

There can be many causes of left arm tingling and pain. It is essential to know the common causes and be aware of their association with the serious health problems.

Some of the primary causes of tingling in the left arm are:

1. Poor Blood Circulation

Poor blood flow can lead to tingling in the left arm. The blood flow can get blocked due to many reasons including the sitting position, or tight clothes or jewelry, or sleeping on your left arm.

Apart from numbness or tingling, your hands may get cold and feel clammy. It can also be a symptom of venous stasis ulcers or atherosclerosis.

2. Vitamin Deficiency

Vitamins play a significant role in the smooth working of our nervous system.You should watch your vitamin intake. Lack of vitamin D and B12 can affect your brain function and development. Improper nourishment of the nerves can also cause tingling in the left arm.

3. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is when your tissues get damaged due to improper movements of the hands and wrists. It may also be caused by inappropriate positions of the joints leading to the restricted flow of blood.

It is a major problem and needs your attention immediately.

4. Nerve Damage

Injury to the nerves present in the arm, back, or neck causes tingling or numbness in the left arm. Apart from tingling one may also experience other symptoms including bulging spine disk, ruptured vertebrae, or a compressed nerve. Ignoring it may give rise to serious complications.

5. Vascular Disorder

Tingling in left arm can be a symptom of problems with your blood vessels. Damaged or constricted blood vessels may cause numbness in the left arms. The fingertips may turn blue, and there would be a loss of sensation spreading up to the arm.

6. Stroke

Tingling in the left arm can be the most common indication of a stroke. Light-headedness, speech problems, dizziness may accompany the tingling sensation. It is when the flow of blood to the heart and the brain gets disturbed.

Stroke can also be caused due to blood clots or plague build up that develop in the arterial walls. High cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes are other illnesses that cause tingling.

7. Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a common cause of tingling in the left arm. Alcoholics usually suffer from vitamin deficiency and have poor diet habits. It eventually results in pain, tingling and numbness feeling in your arm.

8. Heart attack

Tingling in left arm can also be a symptom of heart attack. One may also experience pain in the shoulder or jaw. You should immediately seek a professional medical advice when you experience these symptoms.

Treatments for Tingling in the Left Arm

It is essential to know how to treat diseases or symptoms that you commonly notice in you or people around you.

Here are few treatments that can help prevent or cure the tingling feeling in left arm and make you feel better.

1. Proper Diet

Follow the diet which is rich in vitamins and iron. A majority of the health problems can get solved when you have a balanced diet. You can also opt for natural supplements to boost your vitamin intake.

2. Watch Your Movements

Avoiding improper movements of your hands and wrists will help prevent the tingling feeling in your left arm. Irregular movements may result in stiffness. It may further aggravate the condition causing uneasiness and making it difficult to move.

3. Exercise

Exercise is important to keep the blood flowing through the body. A regular workout can also help prevent stroke or heart attack. Exercises boost your energy and keep you energized throughout the day.

4. Treat Injuries

Having enough rest can help you manage most of the pain and injuries. Apply cold compress on the affected area if there’s swelling. Keeping your arm above the heart level will also help to reduce the swelling. You can opt for a light massage or stretch your arm lightly. However, seek medical advice prior to it.

5. Acupressure

Acupressure is an excellent way to relax your muscles and soothe your blood flow. It will help relax the tension in your muscles resulting. It improves the blood flow which will eventually cure tingling feeling in the left arm.

The above treatments work wonders for the uneasiness caused due to the interruption of the blood flow.

Exercises to Help Tingling in the Left Arm

Exercising and physiotherapy always help soothe the muscles in your body. It eases blood flow and ensures proper distribution of blood to the whole body. Exercise helps prevent the occurrences of blood clots.

Here are few exercises that can assist you with tingling in your left arm:

1. Stretching

Stretching is a great exercise to get oxygen flowing to all the parts of your body and to ease the muscle tension. It improves blood flow, thus reducing the tingling sensation.

2. Rotational exercises

The rotational exercises are specially designed for your arms and wrists so that it ensures a good blood flow. It helps get rid of the tingling feeling in your arm by easing out the tension.

Tingling in the Left Arm: Home Remedies to Try

It is always advisable to treat a disease naturally because it not only cures the disease but also helps you strengthen your immunity.

Home remedies are useful when you want to avoid the prescription drugs that come with side effects. Some efficient home remedies for the tingling feeling in your arm include:

1. Warm Compress

Apply a heating pad on the affected area to loosen up the muscles and increase the blood flow. Apply it for few minutes and repeat until the tingling feeling in your arm disappears.

2. Massage

Massage works the best when given with hands while exerting pressure on certain points. It opens up the nerves and eases the blood circulation resulting in decreased uneasiness.

3. Elevation

If you want instant relief from tingling in left arm, elevation is the solution. Lift your hand up several times to reawake the affected area and improve the blood circulation. You can use books or pillow for the same.

4. Turmeric

Turmeric boosts the blood circulation when applied to the affected area. Prepare a paste of turmeric using water and massage it on the affected area for a while. Do this for a couple of times in a day to completely get rid of the tingling feeling.

When to See a Doctor?

There are always times when things get serious and out of your control, but it is important to know when exactly does this happen and what is the most appropriate time, and symptoms to see a doctor and not neglect it anymore.

Some of the most common symptoms that are signs that the tingling feeling is a signal for something serious are:

  • Difficulty in moving your hands
  • Recent fall or injury to the arm
  • Light-headedness or dizziness
  • Muscle weakness on one side of the body
  • Loss of sensory or motor control over the arm

All of the above symptoms are signs that it is time to see a doctor. The treatments mentioned above are very efficient and may ease the tingling sensation in the arm.

If these treatments fail to provide relief, please consult a doctor. It may be a symptom of some serious health issues.

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