Numbness & the Chiropractic Conversation in Macomb
A guide to understanding numbness — common causes, common symptoms, problems that can arise, and how chiropractic care fits into the conversation. From Dr. Chris McNeil and Macomb Township Chiropractic.
A loss of feeling that can affect everyday life
Numbness is one of the more common sensory experiences people describe to a chiropractor — a loss of feeling or sensation in any part of the body, but most often in the arms, hands, legs, and feet.
Numbness can be partial — meaning less feeling than normal — or complete, meaning no feeling at all. Some people describe it as a “pins-and-needles” sensation that comes and goes; others describe it as a burning or tingling that lingers. It can be intermittent or persistent. It can show up after sitting in one position too long, or it can be a daily reality that interferes with sleep, walking, driving, and the normal rhythm of life.
Numbness is usually associated with one of a few underlying patterns: pinched nerves, lack of blood supply to arteries, herniated discs, neuropathy, or spinal misalignments. Because the nerves that travel to the arms and legs originate in the spine, the chiropractic profession plays a meaningful role in conversations about numbness.
What commonly causes numbness
Numbness rarely has a single cause — most often it’s the result of an underlying structural or vascular pattern. The following are the contributors most commonly discussed in chiropractic conversations.
Pinched Nerves
Pinched or compressed nerves are one of the most commonly discussed causes of numbness. When a nerve is compressed, the signals it carries to the affected area are reduced — often resulting in loss of sensation, tingling, or weakness.
Spinal Misalignments
Misalignments in the spine — particularly the cervical and lumbar regions — can put pressure on the nerves traveling to the arms, hands, legs, and feet, contributing to numbness in those areas.
Herniated Discs
Bulging or herniated discs in the spine can press against nearby nerves. Disc-related concerns are a frequent topic in conversations about numbness, particularly when the numbness travels down a limb.
Reduced Blood Supply
Lack of adequate blood supply to the arteries can also contribute to numbness, particularly in the extremities. This is a recognized vascular pattern and warrants conversations with a medical doctor for evaluation.
Neuropathy
Neuropathy — nerve damage often associated with conditions like diabetes — is a common medical context for numbness. People with neuropathy often consult multiple healthcare providers as part of their care.
Posture & Repetitive Strain
Poor posture, repetitive motions, and prolonged positioning — common in office work, manufacturing, and daily life — can contribute to nerve compression patterns that result in numbness over time.
How numbness commonly presents
People describe numbness in many different ways, and often experience more than one of these patterns at once.
For any specific symptoms, talking with a qualified healthcare provider is the right starting point. This list is informational, not diagnostic.
Why numbness is worth taking seriously
Numbness is not just an inconvenience — when persistent, it can affect daily function in meaningful ways. The following are some of the most commonly noted problems associated with ongoing numbness.
Balance & Coordination Issues
Numbness in the legs and feet can affect balance and coordination, making walking difficult and increasing the risk of falls.
Driving Difficulty
Numbness in the hands or feet can make driving challenging — affecting grip, pedal feel, and overall safety behind the wheel.
Pain Insensitivity
Reduced ability to sense pain can be dangerous — pain recognition is part of how the body protects itself from injury.
Loss of Fine Motor Skills
Numbness in the hands can affect fine motor skills — making everyday tasks like buttoning a shirt, using utensils, or typing more difficult.
Quality of Life Impact
Persistent numbness can affect sleep, daily comfort, and overall quality of life — and is often associated with frustration and decreased confidence in everyday activities.
How chiropractic care addresses numbness
Because numbness is so often connected to nerve compression — and because the nerves that travel to the arms, hands, legs, and feet originate in the spine — the chiropractic profession plays a direct role in numbness conversations. Here’s how Dr. McNeil approaches it at Macomb Township Chiropractic.
Spinal Adjustments
Manual adjustments to the spine address misalignments that compress nerves. Reducing nerve compression supports proper nerve flow to the arms, hands, legs, and feet — which is foundational to addressing numbness.
Postural Rehabilitation
Postural rehabilitation through the Chiropractic Biophysics technique focuses on correcting the position of the spine itself — the underlying structural pattern often connected to ongoing numbness.
Disc Decompression
For people whose numbness is connected to bulging or herniated discs, gentle disc decompression on a state-of-the-art table can help relieve pressure on discs and the nerves they compress.
Customized Care Plan
Each person’s numbness has its own pattern. After a thorough consultation, x-rays, and assessment, Dr. Chris develops a customized care plan tailored to the individual situation.
What’s used at Macomb Township Chiropractic
Dr. Chris has helped many people in Macomb County with numbness in the arms, hands, hips, back, legs, and feet. The following services are part of how care is delivered.
Manual Chiropractic Adjustments
Regular manual adjustments to address spinal misalignments that compress nerves and contribute to numbness in the affected areas.
Spinal Decompression
Spinal decompression on the practice’s state-of-the-art decompression table to address disc-related numbness patterns gently and non-surgically.
Postural Rehabilitation
Postural rehabilitation to correct the position of the spine — the foundational structural work of the Chiropractic Biophysics technique.
Muscle Massage Stimulation
Muscle massage stimulation to support the soft tissue surrounding the affected areas and complement the structural work being done.
Heated Massage Bed
A heated, vibrating, rolling massage bed that helps loosen tight muscles and put motion into the spine before each treatment.
Heat & Cold Therapy
Heat and cold therapy to support the affected areas and help calm irritated nerves and muscles connected to numbness patterns.
Dr. Chris McNeil, D.C.
Dr. Chris McNeil grew up in Metro Detroit, Michigan in a medical family — both of his parents were registered nurses. After recovering from a serious auto accident in high school, he originally enrolled at Wayne State University to become a physical therapist before being introduced to chiropractic care by a friend.
He transferred to Life University in Marietta, Georgia and graduated as a chiropractor in 2002. For more than 20 years, he has dedicated his practice to the people of Macomb County. He is the first chiropractor in Michigan certified in Chiropractic Biophysics — the chiropractic technique with the most peer-reviewed research published in medical and chiropractic journals.
To learn more, visit the educational resources on knee pain and chiropractic care in Macomb County or hip pain and chiropractic care in Macomb County, or follow Macomb Township Chiropractic on Facebook.
A local educational resource for the Macomb County community
Dr. McNeil’s office is located at 48866 Hayes Road in Macomb, Michigan, and serves patients throughout Macomb County and the surrounding Metro Detroit communities. This site is intended as an educational resource for people researching numbness and chiropractic care.
Frequently asked questions about numbness & chiropractic care
What causes numbness?
Numbness is most often associated with pinched nerves, lack of blood supply to arteries, herniated discs, neuropathy, or spinal misalignments. Posture, repetitive strain, and prolonged positioning are also commonly discussed contributors.
How does chiropractic care address numbness?
Chiropractic care addresses numbness by focusing on the spine, where the nerves that travel to the arms, hands, legs, and feet originate. Manual adjustments correct misalignments and reduce nerve compression, postural rehabilitation addresses underlying structural patterns, and disc decompression can help when discs are involved.
What is Chiropractic Biophysics (CBP)?
Chiropractic Biophysics is the chiropractic technique with the most peer-reviewed research published in medical and chiropractic journals. It focuses on objectively measuring and correcting the shape of the spine — particularly posture and the natural curves of the neck and back. Dr. McNeil was the first chiropractor in Michigan to be certified in this technique.
Should I see a chiropractor or another provider for numbness?
For any new, sudden, or severe numbness — particularly when it’s accompanied by other symptoms — talking with a medical doctor is always the right starting point for evaluation and diagnosis. For people interested in natural, drug-free wellness conversations focused on the spine and nerves, a chiropractor is one type of conversation many people choose to have. Many people consult multiple providers as part of an informed decision.
What happens at a first chiropractic visit?
A first visit at Macomb Township Chiropractic typically includes a complete consultation, chiropractic x-rays, a postural and spinal evaluation, a discussion of findings, and a customized care plan based on what the assessment shows. The visit is informational — there is no obligation to proceed.
Where is Dr. McNeil’s office located?
Macomb Township Chiropractic is located at 48866 Hayes Road, Macomb, Michigan 48044. The phone number is (586) 566-2273. The practice serves Macomb Township and the surrounding Macomb County and Metro Detroit communities.
Want to learn more about numbness & chiropractic care?
For people in Macomb County, Michigan looking to learn about chiropractic care for numbness, Dr. Chris McNeil welcomes the conversation. Call to schedule a consultation.
Call (586) 566-2273Dr. Chris McNeil, D.C.
Macomb, MI 48044