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Patient Questions  /  Arm tingling or numbness

Shoulder, Elbow & Hand

Why Does My Arm Tingle or Go Numb?

Most often, something is pressing on a nerve somewhere between your neck and your hand. Common causes are sleeping on your arm, leaning on your elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, or a pinched nerve in the neck. Brief tingling that fades when you move is usually harmless. Sudden numbness or weakness, especially with face drooping or chest pain, is an emergency.

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Where you feel it can give a clue

  • Thumb, index and middle fingers, often worse at night: commonly carpal tunnel syndrome at the wrist.
  • Ring and little fingers, often worse when your elbow is bent for a long time, like holding a phone: commonly the “funny bone” nerve at the elbow (cubital tunnel).
  • A band down the arm with neck or shoulder blade pain: often a pinched nerve in the neck.
  • The whole arm after sleeping on it: usually short-term pressure that clears in minutes.

Tingling in both hands and both feet can come from things like diabetes, low vitamin B12 or some medicines. That needs a doctor's check.

What usually helps

  • Change positions often, and avoid leaning on your elbows.
  • Keep your elbow straighter at night if your little finger side tingles.
  • Keep your wrists straight during sleep and repetitive tasks if your thumb side tingles.
  • Take breaks from looking down or holding your head in one position if neck pain comes with it.

When to see a doctor

Get medical care right away if you have:

  • Sudden numbness or weakness on one side, a drooping face, or trouble speaking or seeing: call 911
  • Arm pain or numbness with chest pressure, shortness of breath or sweating: call 911
  • Weakness, dropping things, or muscles in the hand that look thinner
  • Tingling in both hands and feet, or new trouble with balance or walking
  • Tingling that started after a neck injury, fall or accident

How physical therapy at ARI can help

A physical therapist can test your neck, shoulder, elbow and wrist to find where the nerve is being bothered, then give you exercises and position changes to ease the pressure on the nerve. If your symptoms point to something that needs a doctor, they will send you.

At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist, and our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.

Read our full guide: Pinched nerve in the neck →

No referral needed to start. In California, you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage; call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.

Related questions

Ready to feel better?

Talk to a licensed physical therapist at ARI, one-on-one. Request an evaluation and we'll get back to you, usually within one business day.

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This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have symptoms, a licensed clinician should evaluate you.

Clinically reviewed by Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist · Reviewed October 2026