Cold Laser Therapy for Numbness in the Hand: What Could Be Causing It?

Cold Laser Therapy for Numbness in the Hand: What Could Be Causing It?

If you’ve noticed numbness, tingling, or pins and needles in your hand, it can be concerning, especially when it keeps coming back.

Many people assume it is just poor circulation or something minor. In reality, hand numbness is often related to nerve irritation or compression somewhere along its pathway.

At Lakeside Chiropractic, the focus is on identifying where the nerve is being affected, and in some cases, cold laser therapy may be used to support the healing process.

Common Causes of Hand Numbness

Hand numbness is rarely random. It usually comes from pressure or irritation along a nerve pathway, which may occur in different areas of the body.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

This occurs when the median nerve is compressed at the wrist.

Common symptoms include:

• Numbness in the thumb, index, and middle fingers
• Tingling at night
• Weak grip strength

Cervical Radiculopathy (Neck-Related Nerve Irritation)

Sometimes the issue does not start in the hand at all.

A nerve can become irritated at the neck (cervical spine) and refer symptoms down the arm into the hand.

Research has shown that cervical nerve root compression can cause radiating pain, numbness, and altered sensation into the upper limb

Trapped Nerve Along the Arm

Nerves travel through multiple areas including the shoulder, elbow, and forearm.

Compression anywhere along this pathway can result in:

• Intermittent tingling
• Position-dependent numbness

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)

This involves compression of nerves between the neck and shoulder.

Symptoms may include:

• Numbness in the hand
• Arm fatigue
• Symptoms worsening with overhead activity

How Cold Laser Therapy May Help

Cold laser therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), uses specific wavelengths of light to interact with tissue at a cellular level.

Rather than masking symptoms, it aims to support the body’s natural healing processes, particularly in irritated or compressed nerves.

Supporting Nerve Healing

Studies suggest that LLLT may:

• Promote nerve regeneration
• Improve nerve conduction
• Support cellular repair

A review on photo biomodulation found that laser therapy can stimulate nerve repair and regeneration following injury

Another study showed improved functional recovery in peripheral nerve injuries

Reducing Inflammation Around the Nerve

When a nerve is compressed, surrounding tissues can become inflamed.

LLLT has been shown to:

• Modulate inflammatory markers
• Reduce local swelling

This may help create a better environment for nerve recovery

Improving Blood Flow and Cellular Energy

Laser therapy may increase:

• Microcirculation
• Cellular energy production (ATP)

This supports tissue repair and recovery

Evidence in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Several studies have explored laser therapy for carpal tunnel syndrome.

A randomised controlled trial found that LLLT improved pain and functional outcomes

A systematic review reported that laser therapy may provide short-term symptom improvement in mild to moderate cases

Why Identifying the Cause Matters

One of the most important steps is identifying where the nerve is being affected, rather than focusing only on the hand.

For example:

• Wrist-related issue may require local treatment
• Neck-related issue may involve the cervical spine
• Shoulder-related compression may involve the thoracic outlet

At Lakeside Chiropractic, assessment focuses on:

• Nerve pathway testing
• Spinal and joint function
• Postural patterns
• Movement assessment

Care may include a combination of:

• Chiropractic care
• Targeted cold laser therapy
• Rehabilitation strategies

You can also explore how we manage spinal-related conditions here:

• Disc Herniation Treatment: Can Chiropractic Care Help?
• How Chiropractic Helps with Nerve Pain and Neuralgia
• Chiropractic and Cold Laser for Nerve Pain: A Gentle Yet Effective Solution

When Should You Get It Checked?

Consider an assessment if you experience:

• Persistent or frequent hand numbness
• Symptoms worsening at night
• Weakness or dropping objects
• Tingling that travels down the arm

Early assessment can help identify contributing factors and guide appropriate management.

Book an Assessment

If you are experiencing ongoing numbness or tingling in your hand, an assessment may help determine the underlying cause and appropriate options.

At Cold Laser Perth, we are committed to providing personalized care tailored to your specific needs. Our experienced team employs evidence-based chiropractic techniques to ensure optimal outcomes for our patients.

📍 Find us in Joondalup

📅 Book online: https://lakesidechiro.au1.cliniko.com/bookings#service

While outcomes can vary, many patients find this multi-modal approach helps improve over time. If you are having back pain or any pain in general, feel free to contact us on 9300 0095 to see how we may be able to help, or visit our website for more information.

📍 Serving the Joondalup & Northern Suburbs of Perth Lakeside Chiropractic is central to the northern suburbs of Perth, located in the City of Joondalup.

If you are in the surrounding suburbs such as Yanchep - 6035, Tapping - 6065, Carramar - 6031, Currambine - 6028, Wanneroo - 6065, Heathridge - 6027, Edgewater - 6027, Gnangara - 6077, Mullaloo - 6027, Padbury - 6025, Kingsley - 6026, Woodvale - 6026, Banksia Grove - 6031, or Duncraig - 6023, our team is here to assist you.

References

1. Anders JJ, Lanzafame RJ, Arany PR. Low-level light/laser therapy versus photobiomodulation therapy. Photomed Laser Surg. 2015;33(4):183–184.
2. Rochkind S, Nissan M, Razon N, Schwartz M, Bartal A. Electrophysiological effect of He-Ne laser on normal and injured peripheral nerves. Lasers Surg Med. 1987;7(1):12–15.
3. de Freitas LF, Hamblin MR. Proposed mechanisms of photobiomodulation or low-level light therapy. IEEE J Sel Top Quantum Electron. 2016;22(3):7000417.
4. Hamblin MR. Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophys. 2017;4(3):337–361.
5. Rhee JM, Yoon T, Riew KD. Cervical radiculopathy. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2007;15(8):486–494.
6. Evcik D, Kavuncu V, Cakir T, Subasi V, Yaman M. Laser therapy in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Photomed Laser Surg. 2007;25(1):34–39.
7. Page MJ, O'Connor D, Pitt V, Massy-Westropp N. Electrotherapy modalities for carpal tunnel syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(6):CD009381.