Have you ever felt a “pins and needles” feeling in your hands or feet? It can be scary, almost like you’re in pain, your limbs are going numb, or you feel too much sensation at once. If the feeling keeps happening, you may search your symptoms online and discover that the tingling is a common symptom of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
For a lot of patients, this causes immediate concern. However, a tingling sensation in your hands or feet could also be caused by anxiety. There is a lot more that goes into an MS diagnosis besides just tingling in the hands or feet. It is advised to learn more about neurological conditions to understand if you should seek guidance from a neurologist.
If you are wondering if you are experiencing MS tingling vs tingling from anxiety, learn more about what “pins and needles” really means, what other symptoms are related to MS, and how to seek treatment for anxiety if that is the cause.
Note: Content on neuromedpa.com is not doctor’s advice and should not be taken as such. Always contact your primary care doctor for medical services, diagnosis, treatment, lifestyle adjustments, and more.
Understanding Tingling and “Pins and Needles”
That “pins and needles” sensation has a fancy name: paresthesia. It includes feelings in the hands or feet like:
- Pins and needles
- Numbness
- Burning sensations
- A crawling feeling under your skin
- Electric shock feelings
- Prickling
Sometimes tingling happens for simple reasons, like sitting in one position for too long, which can cut off blood flow to your leg. That’s normal and goes away quickly, and you may have heard it called something like “my arm fell asleep.” But if you’re getting tingling sensations a lot or it keeps happening in the same spot, that’s when you should pay attention and seek treatment.
How Anxiety Causes Tingling Sensations
When you feel anxious or stressed, your body goes into “fight-or-flight” mode. This is your body’s alarm system going off. Your body releases adrenaline (a stress hormone) to prepare you to handle danger. Your breathing gets faster, which uses up more oxygen. Your blood flow changes around your body. Your muscles tense up tight.
All of these physical reactions can create tingling sensations, even though there’s nothing wrong with your nerves. The tingling from anxiety usually shows up in your hands, fingers, feet, toes, face, lips, and arms, and often occurs on both sides of your body at the same time.
When the tingling sensation is caused by anxiety vs MS, the “pins and needles” sensation begins to go away once you calm down and your body rests. Pay attention to your breathing, how tight your muscles are, and if you still feel nervous or scared. Once you start to feel like you’re returning to normal, the tingling sensation should also subside.
How Multiple Sclerosis Causes Tingling and Numbness
MS is an autoimmune disease, meaning your immune system attacks parts of your own body by mistake. In MS, it attacks the protective coating around your nerves (called myelin). When these nerves get damaged, they can’t send signals properly, so patients feel tingling and numbness, most often in the hands and feet.
Tingling is often one of the earliest signs that someone has MS. MS tingling can show up anywhere on your body, depending on which nerves are damaged. Unlike anxiety tingling, MS-related tingling tends to last for days or weeks instead of just a few minutes. You do not have to be frightened or in a stressful situation for the tingling to begin. For most patients, there is no reason that the tingling begins or ends.
Anxiety Tingling vs. MS Tingling: The Most Important Differences
Signs Your Tingling May Be Related to Multiple Sclerosis
MS also has other symptoms that patients should be aware of. While tingling is often the first symptom that patients notice, there may also be vision changes, muscle weakness, coordination issues, or other odd sensations in the body. Be aware of any other changes you are experiencing if you think there is an underlying condition.
Vision changes that often happen with MS:
- Blurry vision
- Double vision
- Pain when you move your eyes
- Vision problems caused by nerve damage to the eyes
Muscle weakness and coordination problems:
- Trouble lifting objects
- Weak legs
- Frequent falls
- Trouble walking
- Poor balance
Other neurological symptoms to watch for:
- Numbness that won’t go away
- Electric shock feelings (especially down your spine)
- Trouble with your bladder
- Extreme tiredness
- Trouble thinking clearly
When Persistent Tingling Should Be Evaluated by a Neurologist
Knowing the root cause of the tingling sensation helps you know if you should visit a mental health professional for anxiety medication and evaluation or a neurologist for further diagnostic testing. Contact your doctor and explore the option of a neurology referral if you notice:
- Tingling that lasts several days
- Symptoms that keep happening in the same body area
- Numbness that gets worse over time
- Muscle weakness
- Vision changes
- Balance or coordination problems
- Difficulty walking
- Tingling that interferes with school, sports, or daily activities
Go to the emergency room immediately if you experience: sudden weakness on one side of your body, facial drooping, or trouble speaking. These could be signs of a stroke.
How Neurological Medicine, P.A. Diagnoses the Cause of Tingling Symptoms
Review of Your Medical History and Symptoms
- When did the tingling start?
- How long does it last?
- What makes it better or worse?
- How stressed are you?
- Does anyone in your family have nerve problems?
- What other symptoms are you experiencing?
A Comprehensive Neurological Examination
- Reflexes
- Strength
- Physical sensation (what you can feel)
- Coordination
- Balance
Advanced Diagnostic Testing When Needed
- MRI scans of your brain or spinal cord
- Nerve conduction studies to see how well your nerves work
- Blood work to check for vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, or thyroid problems
- Other specialized tests based on your symptoms
Treatment Options for Tingling
Treating Anxiety-Related Tingling
- Stress management techniques
- Therapy that helps you change how you think about stress
- Breathing exercises
- Regular exercise
- Better sleep habits
- Anxiety medication when appropriate
Treating Tingling Caused by Multiple Sclerosis
- Special medications that slow down MS
- Pain medications for nerve pain
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Lifestyle changes
- Regular monitoring by your neurologist
Know the Difference and Seek Expert Neurological Care
Anxiety and multiple sclerosis can both cause tingling, but they’re very different conditions with different causes and treatments. Persistent, worsening, or unexplained tingling should never be ignored. A timely evaluation by a neurologist can help identify the real cause and provide the right treatment plan. Getting answers is the first step to getting relief. Call Neurological Medicine, P.A. or schedule an appointment today if you’re looking for answers, relief, or peace of mind. We have two office locations in Maryland to better serve our patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anxiety really cause pins and needles?
Yes! Anxiety can produce real physical sensations because of your body’s stress response and changes in your breathing.
Does tingling always mean multiple sclerosis?
No. Tingling has many possible causes, including anxiety, vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, nerve compression, circulation problems, migraines, and more.
Is MS tingling constant?
Not necessarily. It may come and go, but episodes often last longer than anxiety-related tingling and may recur in the same area.
Can stress make MS symptoms worse?
Yes. Stress does not cause MS, but it may temporarily worsen existing symptoms or make them feel more noticeable.
Neurological Medicine, P.A.
Neurological Medicine, P.A., provides comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services to patients with conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. We have been serving the Prince George’s and Montgomery County area since 1975, with two offices: Greenbelt and Laurel. We offer complete adult neurological care as well as in-office neurodiagnostic studies.
