Neuropathy & Numbness
How Do You Treat Neuropathy?
Amarish Dave, DO explains the two goals of neuropathy treatment: identifying the underlying cause of nerve damage and treating the symptoms it causes.
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Why Are My Feet Tingling? Is It Neuropathy? — Part 1
Tingling in the feet is one of the most common symptoms patients bring to a neurologist. This video is Part 1 of a three-part series on what causes tingling feet and how the cause is sorted out.
Written and medically reviewed by Amarish Dave, DO, board-certified neurologist. This page is educational and does not replace an individual medical evaluation.
Part 1 of a 3-part series
Understanding Tingling Feet
- Why Are My Feet Tingling? Is It Neuropathy?
- Could Tingling Be From a Pinched Nerve?— coming soon
- How Does a Neurologist Figure Out What's Causing the Tingling?— coming soon
Parts 2 and 3 will be published here as each video in the series is released.
Does Tingling in Your Feet Mean Neuropathy?
Tingling in the feet can occur when the sensory nerves are irritated, compressed or damaged. That irritation can happen anywhere along the pathway a nerve travels—from the spinal cord, down through the leg, and out into the toes—so the same sensation can have very different causes.
Peripheral neuropathy is one important cause, particularly when symptoms begin in the feet and occur on both sides. In this pattern, the longest nerves—those reaching the toes—are often affected first, which is why symptoms commonly start in the feet.
But tingling feet do not automatically mean neuropathy. Nerve-root compression from the spine, compression of an individual nerve, metabolic problems, vitamin abnormalities, and other neurological or medical conditions can all produce tingling. The pattern, distribution and accompanying symptoms are what help distinguish between them.
What Does Peripheral Neuropathy Feel Like?
Possible neuropathy symptoms can include:
- Tingling or pins-and-needles sensations
- Numbness
- Burning
- Abnormal hot or cold sensations
- Electrical or shooting pain
- Reduced ability to feel temperature or touch
- Balance problems in some patients
See how neuropathy is treated and our neuropathy and numbness evaluation for more.
Coming Next: Could It Be a Pinched Nerve Instead?
A pinched nerve in the back can sometimes produce symptoms that patients mistake for neuropathy. Because the nerve root is compressed where it leaves the spine, the tingling can travel all the way down into the foot, making the two conditions feel similar. Part 2 of this series, Could Tingling Be From a Pinched Nerve?, explains how to tell the patterns apart. Until then, our pinched nerve and radiculopathy guide covers how nerve-root compression is evaluated, and why a foot can feel numb or tingling compares the common causes side by side.
When tingling needs urgent attention
Gradual tingling in the feet is very different from sudden neurological symptoms. A sudden severe headache, sudden numbness or weakness, facial drooping, difficulty speaking, severe imbalance, or loss of bladder or bowel control may require urgent medical evaluation—call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Key takeaways
- Tingling in the feet occurs when sensory nerves are irritated, compressed or damaged.
- Peripheral neuropathy is one important cause, especially when both feet are affected in a similar pattern.
- Neuropathy symptoms can include pins and needles, numbness, burning, abnormal temperature sensations, electrical pain and balance problems.
- Tingling feet do not automatically mean neuropathy—spine, metabolic, vitamin and other causes are possible.
- A pinched nerve in the back can produce symptoms mistaken for neuropathy—the subject of Part 2.
- Persistent or spreading tingling deserves a neurological evaluation; sudden symptoms need urgent care.
Continue learning about nerve symptoms
Learn more about why a foot feels numb or tingling, how neuropathy is treated, what radiculopathy is, and what peripheral neuropathy is. Browse more answers in the Neurology Video Library.
Frequently asked questions
- Why are my feet tingling?
- Tingling in the feet can occur when sensory nerves are irritated, compressed or damaged. Peripheral neuropathy is one important cause, particularly when symptoms begin in the feet and occur on both sides, but other causes include nerve-root compression from the spine, focal nerve compression, metabolic problems, vitamin abnormalities and other medical conditions.
- Does tingling in both feet mean neuropathy?
- Tingling that begins in the feet and affects both sides is a common pattern of peripheral neuropathy, but tingling feet do not automatically mean neuropathy. A careful history, neurological examination and, when appropriate, testing are needed to identify the cause.
- What does peripheral neuropathy feel like?
- Possible neuropathy symptoms include tingling or pins-and-needles sensations, numbness, burning, abnormal hot or cold sensations, electrical or shooting pain, reduced ability to feel temperature or touch, and balance problems in some patients.
- Can tingling feet be caused by something other than neuropathy?
- Yes. Other possibilities include nerve-root compression from the spine, compression of an individual nerve, metabolic problems, vitamin abnormalities, and other neurological or medical conditions. This is one reason a tingling sensation in the feet should be evaluated rather than assumed.
- Can a pinched nerve in the back cause tingling feet?
- It can. A pinched nerve in the back can sometimes produce symptoms that patients mistake for neuropathy. That is the focus of Part 2 of this series, along with how the two patterns differ.
- When should I see a neurologist for tingling feet?
- Consider an evaluation when tingling persists, spreads, affects balance, or is accompanied by weakness or numbness. Sudden numbness or tingling—especially with weakness, facial drooping, difficulty speaking or severe imbalance—needs urgent or emergency evaluation.
Related videos
More medically reviewed neurology videos appear here automatically as they are published.
Neuropathy & Numbness
Why Is My Foot Numb or Tingling?
Amarish Dave, DO explains common neurological causes of foot numbness and tingling—from peripheral neuropathy to a pinched nerve in the lower back—and which symptoms need urgent care.
Watch Video
Neuropathy & Numbness
Why Do My Feet Feel Cold Even When They Aren’t?
Amarish Dave, DO explains why feet can feel cold even when they are warm to the touch — and how damaged or malfunctioning sensory nerves can send distorted temperature signals.
Watch Video
Neurology Tests
What Is an EMG?
Amarish Dave, DO explains what an EMG (electromyography) and nerve conduction study test — how they measure nerve and muscle function, and why neurologists use them for neuropathy, carpal tunnel and pinched nerves.
Watch VideoEnjoy these short answers? Subscribe to the NeurologistCare YouTube channel for additional short videos answering common neurology questions.
Experiencing persistent numbness, tingling, burning or other neurological symptoms?
Learn more about neurological evaluation at NeurologistCare.com. In-person neurology appointments are available in Crystal Lake and Woodstock, Illinois, and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, with telehealth available when appropriate for patients located anywhere in Illinois or Wisconsin.
In Florida?
Patients located in Florida can read about planned telehealth neurology consultations for neuropathy, numbness and tingling. Florida telehealth is coming soon and Florida appointments are not currently available. Florida neuropathy, numbness and tingling telehealth →
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