What medications can be taken to relieve hand numbness?

Sep 12, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the main causes of hand numbness include improper posture, cold stimulation, carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical spondylosis, and peripheral neuropathy caused by diabetes. Medications such as mecobalamin tablets, vitamin B1 tablets, and vitamin B12 tablets may be used under a doctor's instructions. In daily life, it is important to maintain proper posture and avoid prolonged pressure on the arms; keep the hands warm.

Generally, the main causes of hand numbness include improper posture, cold exposure, carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical spondylosis, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Treatment may involve medications such as mecobalamin tablets, vitamin B1 tablets, and vitamin B12 tablets, as directed by a physician. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Improper Posture

Prolonged bending, desk work, or lying on one side while compressing the arm can impede blood circulation in the arm, leading to insufficient oxygen supply to hand tissues and causing numbness. It is important to adjust posture regularly in daily life. After sitting or lying for one hour, stand up and move around, and perform appropriate arm massage to promote blood circulation and alleviate hand numbness.

2. Cold Exposure

Prolonged exposure of the hands to cold environments can cause vasoconstriction, slowing blood circulation and resulting in inadequate blood supply to nerve endings in the hands, causing numbness. Individuals should promptly leave the cold environment and soak the hands in warm water or rub them together to promote vasodilation and restore circulation, improving hand numbness.

3. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Excessive wrist strain or injuries can increase pressure within the carpal tunnel, compressing the median nerve and affecting nerve signal transmission, resulting in hand numbness, often accompanied by finger pain and weakness. Under medical guidance, medications such as mecobalamin tablets, vitamin B1 tablets, and ibuprofen sustained-release capsules may be taken to nourish nerves and relieve pain. In severe cases, carpal tunnel release surgery may be required to relieve nerve compression.

4. Cervical Spondylosis

Herniated cervical discs or bone spurs can compress nerve roots, obstructing nerve conduction and causing hand numbness, often accompanied by neck and shoulder pain and dizziness. Under medical guidance, medications such as Jingfukang granules, celecoxib capsules, and vitamin B12 tablets may be taken to reduce inflammation and pain and nourish nerves. Cervical traction therapy may also be used. In severe cases, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion or posterior cervical laminoplasty may be needed to relieve nerve compression.

5. Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Prolonged poor blood sugar control can damage peripheral nerves and blood vessels due to high glucose levels, leading to abnormal nerve sensations and circulatory disorders in the hands, causing numbness, often accompanied by reduced hand sensation and dry skin. Under medical guidance, medications such as metformin hydrochloride tablets, gliclazide sustained-release tablets, and epalrestat tablets may be taken to control blood sugar levels and improve nerve damage, alleviating hand numbness.

In daily life, it is important to maintain correct posture and avoid prolonged arm compression; keep hands warm to avoid cold exposure; reduce excessive wrist strain and avoid prolonged head-down positions or maintaining the same posture; actively control blood sugar levels and regularly monitor them; undergo regular medical checkups to promptly detect and treat underlying conditions, maintaining overall health.