Conditions that affect the underlying nerves can cause tingling or pins and needles in the back.
Also known as paresthesia, it can stem from infections, spinal injuries, fibromyalgia, and other causes.
Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a painful, itchy rash that typically develops on one side of the body. However, the rash can occur on any part of the body, including the back and face.
The rash produces fluid-filled blisters that begin to scab over after several days and usually clear up after
Before the rash appears, a person may experience a tingling, itching, or a painful burning sensation in the affected area.
Other symptoms can include:
- fever and chills
- a headache
- an upset stomach
A person can only develop shingles if they have previously had chickenpox. When a person recovers from chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus that causes the infection remains inactive. This virus can reactivate many years later to cause an outbreak of shingles.
Treatment
Doctors can prescribe antiviral medications that help reduce the severity and shorten the duration of shingles. Other-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, wet compresses, calamine lotion, and colloidal oatmeal baths may also help to relieve a person’s symptoms.
Spondylolisthesis occurs when one of the vertebrae in the spine slips out of place. This slippage can occur anywhere along the spine but tends to happen in the lumbar region or lower back.
Spondylolisthesis does not always cause symptoms. However, if a slipped vertebra presses on a nerve, it can cause pain or a tingling sensation in the back that may radiate down to the back of the thighs.
Other symptoms include back stiffness, leg weakness, and problems walking or standing up straight. Spondylolisthesis symptoms may worsen with physical activity but improve while sitting or leaning forward.
Treatment
Treatment of spondylolisthesis depends on the severity of the symptoms. A person may be able to treat their symptoms at home with:
For more severe symptoms, a doctor may recommend steroid injections or surgery.
Spinal fractures can occur as a result of forceful impacts, such as from motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, falling from height, and violence. Chronic medical conditions that weaken the bones, such as osteoporosis and tumors, can also lead to spinal fractures.
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the majority of spinal fractures occur in the middle and lower back.
Spinal fractures can cause moderate to severe pain that may worsen when a person moves.
Other symptoms may include:
- numbness or a tingling sensation
- a loss of bowel and bladder control
- difficulty moving the legs
Treatment
Treatment depends on the severity, type, and location of the fracture and whether the person has any other injuries.
In some circumstances, a doctor may perform emergency surgery to reduce pressure on the spinal cord. Other treatments include wearing a special back brace for 6 to 12 weeks and rehabilitation exercises.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain and tenderness, as well as increased sensitivity to pain. People with fibromyalgia may also experience numbness or tingling in parts of the body, such as the back, hands, and feet.
Other symptoms can
- fatigue
- anxiety and depression
- sleeping difficulties
- headaches
- difficulty thinking clearly
- memory and concentration problems, which people sometimes refer to as “fibro fog”
Doctors do not fully understand what causes fibromyalgia.
Treatment
Treatment typically involves a combination of medication and lifestyle changes, including:
- OTC nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen
- prescription medications, including antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs
- regular exercise
- stress reduction and relaxation techniques, such as meditation and yoga
- cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat depression
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are tangled or abnormally shaped blood vessels that typically occur in the brain or spinal cord but can develop anywhere in the body. These malformations can affect blood flow and, depending on their size and location, can cause a range of symptoms that can vary in severity.
Symptoms can
- back pain or weakness in the legs
- headaches
- seizures
- numbness, tingling, and pain
- loss of coordination
- dizziness
- problems with vision
- memory problems or confusion
- speech problems
Doctors do not fully understand the cause of AVMs but believe that they typically form during fetal development.
Treatments
Treatment approaches for AVMs depend upon the location of the malformation and the severity of the person’s symptoms. Sometimes, a doctor may recommend surgery to remove or cut off the blood supply to the AVM.
Spinal infections can occur following surgery or as a complication of other conditions, such as infections, fractures, wounds from injuries, cancer, diabetes, and HIV.
The infection can irritate or damage the nerves. Symptoms can include:
- back pain and stiffness
- numbness or tingling sensations
- muscle weakness or spasms
- fever and chills
- discoloration in the affected area
Treatment
Treatment for a spinal infection depends on the cause but can include antibiotics and antiviral or antifungal medications. A doctor may recommend surgery for people with severe infections or a damaged spine.
A spinal tumor is an abnormal growth that can develop on the spinal cord. These tumors can either be benign or malignant. Benign tumors do not invade surrounding tissues, whereas malignant or cancerous tumors can spread to other parts of the body.
These tumors can cause problems when they press on the spinal cord. Symptoms depend on the location of the cancer but can include:
- back pain
- numbness or tingling
- weakness or lack of coordination in the legs or arms
- reduced sensitivity pain or temperature
- bladder and bowel problems
Treatment
Treatment depends on the size, type, and location of the tumor. However, a doctor will usually recommend surgery to remove the tumor. Other treatment options can include radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Other causes of a tingling sensation on the back could include:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS): Tingling in the body may be the first sign of MS, a condition that affects the spinal cord and brain. Although there is no cure, treatment usually involves managing symptoms.
- Disc herniation: Disc herniation, or a slipped disc, may cause a tingling sensation in the back. Treatment involves physiotherapy, muscle relaxants, and painkillers.
- Spinal stenosis: Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spine, which
can involve symptoms of tingling in the body. Treatment may involve anti-inflammatory medications, painkillers, or surgeries such as a laminectomy and spinal fusion.
A person should contact a doctor if tingling in the back is severe, does not resolve within a few days, or occurs along with other concerning symptoms.
People with tingling in the back should seek immediate medical attention if they also have any of the following symptoms:
- loss of bowel and bladder function
- loss of coordination or difficulty using the arms or legs
- sudden, severe pain and numbness down one or both legs
When should a person worry about tingling?
People with tingling in the body should seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as loss of bodily functions such as bowel, bladder, coordination, and speech or sudden severe pain.
What does MS tingling feel like?
MS tingling may feel like a pins and needles sensation on the skin, crawling, or numbness.
What does a tingly feeling on the back mean?
Many conditions, such as MS, shingles, infections, or spinal injuries, can cause a tingly feeling in the back. It is best to contact a doctor to find out the underlying cause.
Experiencing an occasional tingling sensation is not necessarily a cause for concern. However, persistent or recurring tingling sensations in the back can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition.
Causes can include infections, spinal problems, injuries, fibromyalgia, and vascular malformations.
A person should see a doctor if they experience severe tingling in the back that lasts more than a few days or if they also have other concerning symptoms.