What causes numbness in the right hand and right foot?
Mar 19, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lv Zhiqin
Introduction
In general, numbness in the right hand and right foot may be caused by improper posture, lack of exercise, multiple peripheral neuritis, multiple sclerosis, cervical spondylosis, or other similar conditions. Symptomatic management may include general treatment and medication. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. It is also advised to avoid maintaining the same posture for prolonged periods in daily life to prevent nerve and blood vessel compression.
Generally, numbness in the right hand and right foot may be caused by improper posture, lack of exercise, multiple peripheral neuritis, multiple sclerosis, cervical spondylosis, and other related factors. Symptomatic management through general treatments or medication may be necessary. If discomfort persists, timely medical consultation is recommended to undergo appropriate treatment under a doctor's guidance. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Improper Posture
Maintaining the same posture for extended periods, such as sitting for long durations or compressing nerves while sleeping, may cause numbness in the right hand and right foot. The numbness usually subsides gradually after changing posture. It is recommended to improve sitting posture, stand and move around regularly, and avoid prolonged nerve compression.
2. Lack of Exercise
Long-term lack of physical activity and poor blood circulation may lead to insufficient blood supply to peripheral nerves, causing numbness in the right hand and right foot. It is recommended to engage in regular moderate exercise to promote blood circulation, which may help alleviate the numbness.
3. Multiple Peripheral Neuritis
Nutritional and metabolic disorders, infections, toxins, and other factors can cause multiple peripheral neuritis. This condition leads to inflammatory reactions in peripheral nerves, damaging nerve function due to inflammation. Sensory impairments may occur, and if the right limbs are affected, symptoms such as numbness and movement difficulties may develop. Patients are advised to take medications such as dibazol tablets, compound salvia miltiorrhiza tablets, and ligustrazine phosphate tablets as directed by a physician to improve peripheral circulation.
4. Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease primarily caused by a combination of immune responses, viral infections, genetic factors, and other influences. The immune system attacks the nervous system, damaging the myelin sheath of nerve fibers, which may cause numbness in the right hand and right foot. Symptoms such as blurred vision and muscle weakness may also occur. It is recommended to use medications such as glatiramer acetate injection, dimethyl fumarate enteric-coated capsules, and teriflunomide tablets under medical supervision.
5. Cervical Spondylosis
Chronic strain and degeneration of the cervical spine may lead to cervical spondylosis. When spinal nerve roots become compressed due to cervical spine issues, nerve function is affected, resulting in numbness in the affected areas. Symptoms such as neck pain, dizziness, and tinnitus may accompany the numbness. It is recommended to use medications such as aceclofenac tablets, Jingfukang granules, and mecobalamin tablets as directed by a physician to alleviate symptoms.
It is advisable to avoid maintaining the same posture for prolonged periods in daily life to prevent nerve and blood vessel compression. While sitting for long durations, get up and move around for 3–5 minutes periodically and perform simple stretching exercises such as bending over or kicking your legs.
