Numbness and Tingling in Fibromyalgia Syndrome

What Are Numbness and Tingling in Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is best known for causing widespread pain, but many people with the condition also experience numbness and tingling sensations. These feelings commonly affect the hands, feet, arms, legs and face.

The medical term for this is paraesthesia. The sensations can range from mild and occasional to more persistent and bothersome.

Some people describe it as pins and needles, while others notice a crawling feeling under the skin or patches of reduced sensation. These symptoms can come and go without warning, or they may follow particular patterns you begin to recognise over time.

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Why Does This Happen?

The exact causes of numbness and tingling in fibromyalgia are not fully understood, but several factors may play a role.

Muscle tension may be a contributing factor. Fibromyalgia often causes muscle stiffness and spasms. When muscles become very tight, they can press against nearby nerves. This pressure irritates the nerves and produces tingling or numb sensations in the areas they supply.

Another factor is cold induced vasospasm, which affects a significant number of people with fibromyalgia. Blood vessels normally narrow slightly in cold weather to help keep your core body temperature stable. In vasospasm, the blood vessels in your fingers, toes, and sometimes your nose or earlobes, constrict too strongly and may close off completely for a time.

When this happens, the affected areas may:

• Tingle initially
• Turn white or pale
• Feel cold and numb
• Tingle again as blood flow returns and they warm up

This response is similar to Raynaud's phenomenon, and some people with fibromyalgia have both conditions.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

When to Seek Medical Advice

Occasional numbness and tingling linked to fibromyalgia is usually not a sign of anything more serious. However, it can sometimes be difficult to tell whether your symptoms are related to fibromyalgia or something else.

You should speak to your GP as soon as possible if the numbness or tingling is new, getting worse, affects one side of your body suddenly, or comes with weakness. These could indicate other conditions that need checking, such as nerve compression, vitamin deficiencies or circulatory problems.

Your GP can help rule out other causes and may refer you to a specialist if needed. Keeping a symptom diary, whether on paper or using a smartphone app, can help you track when symptoms occur and what seems to trigger them. This information is useful to share at your appointment.

Managing the Symptoms

There is no single treatment that works for everyone, but several approaches may help reduce numbness and tingling.

Staying warm can make a real difference if cold triggers your symptoms. Wearing layers, thermal gloves and warm socks helps protect your extremities in cooler weather. Hand warmers may also provide relief in cold conditions.

Gentle movement and stretching may ease muscle tension that contributes to nerve pressure. Physiotherapy can provide tailored exercises if stiffness is a significant problem for you.

Looking after your overall wellbeing matters too. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help with pacing and managing the emotional toll of chronic symptoms. Mindfulness practices and prioritising sleep may also reduce the frequency of flare ups, which often bring more intense paraesthesia.

Fibromyalgia Action UK (fibromyalgia.org.uk) and Versus Arthritis (versusarthritis.org) offer information and support for people living with the condition. Your GP surgery may also be able to point you towards local support groups or pain management services.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Flare Up Analyser lets you describe your current flare up and we will help you identify likely triggers and what might ease it. Try it now →