Question
I tend to sleep in odd positions I am told by my husband, and so I am sure the cause is definitely from my sleep, because I just woke up one morning with the tip of my thumb numb, it wasn't like that at all before I went to sleep. This happened 2 days ago. It's gotten worse. It's still just as numb, but now it's making a throbbing/ache feeling, and if I lightly touch the bottom part (close to the palm side) it like shoots an uncomfortable shock/pinch all throughout the palm side of my thumb. I'm assuming its a irritated nerve.

What do you suggest I do to get rid of this feeling. It hurts and then the numbness part of it is quite annoying, and it makes it hard to do anything with my left hand when it requires using that thumb. I greatly appreciate any help you can be. I just need to know if I should get it checked, or if there are steps I can do to heal it myself. And I was also wondering about how long does it take to heal something like this?

Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon.
-Krystal

Answer
Dear Krystal,

There are a few things that you might consider in regards to your thumb numbness.  

First of all, thumb and hand numbness can be related to a condition called Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Usually this is associated with people who use their hands in a repetitive nature daily at work or home, such as keyboarding or typing all day, using a hammer as a framer, etc.  Usually carpal tunnel syndrome affects the thumb and index finger and palm of the hand, but also can send symptoms up the forearm. Often, these symptoms are worse at night.

Second, you could also be irritating or pinching nerve tissue in the neck region. The C6 nerve root at the base of the neck will send a numbness into the thumb side of the hand. You must consider whether or not you have a history of neck pain and/or pain and numbness spreading from the neck into the arm and hand.  This can also be worse at night due to abnormal positions.

Third, you could have a combination of both one and two above... a type of double crush syndrome.

Fourth, symptoms of numbness in the hand can be the result of a localized injury to the hand.

Fifth, numbness in the thumb could be the result of a central nerve lesion.

In other words... Krystal, you need to see your chiropractor or medical doctor and have a physical exam and neurological exam. It is difficult to give you any advise as to what to do for treatment and self care without having a good understanding of exactly what is causing your symptoms.  A good examination is worth the peace of mind that the answers provide for you!

I hope that this gives you some ideas as to what might be causing your numbness in the thumb. I hope that you are able to get to the bottom of this ASAP. Good Luck!

Keith E. Biggs, DC
http://www.eastmesachiropractor.com
http://www.biggschiropractic.blogspot.com